"Baptism is so essential to salvation.' Vatican II's  "Nostra Aetate' [Relationship of the Church to Non-Christians" was an earthshaking document.  It began as statement only about the Church's relations with the Jews but was widened to say that the "truth" is present outside the Body of Christ.  It is to be respected wherever it is found, mentioning in particular Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam, as well as Judaism.


This document was approved on October 28, 1965 by a vote of 2,221 to 88.