The article, "A different perspective," appeared in the Gear section of the Tribune Jan. 14. It reflected on two people and their different religious beliefs. When a young Roman Catholic was interviewed, he stated, "If you're not a true Catholic, you are damned to hell." While this may be the belief of that individual, it must be understood that this is not the teaching of the Catholic Church.

Just because someone is a Catholic does not mean he or she is guaranteed salvation. Catholics must follow their faith and accept the truth that has been presented to them. At the same time, just because people are not Catholic does not at all mean that they are damned to hell. God sees the soul of the individual, and judges according what he sees there.

Everybody has been given different gifts and has had different experiences throughout life. Some have had the opportunity to know more truth than others. The Catholic Church teaches that God judges each person according to what truth he or she has been given. Just because someone has not been given the fullness of truth that the Catholic Church possesses does not mean the person is going to hell.

God is a just judge, and he will judge all people fairly because he has the ability to look into the heart of each person. As humans, we can't see what is in the hearts of others, so we cannot predict another person's destiny. That job is God's alone. The Catholic Church recognizes this and, therefore, teaches that non-Catholics also can attain salvation.