Salvation

1. I heard through very unreliable sources that they believe the Roman Catholic church is the only way to heaven (because that is the only place to partake of the true Christ and without this communion, heaven is unattainable).

Ready for this answer: Yes. And no. How's that?

Okay, so I'll clarify. The Catholic position is that Christ founded a single, united Church, that is the Catholic Church. Thus, in the Nicean Creed we say "One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church," refering specifiically to the Catholic Church. As She is Christ's Church, he placed all salvation in her.

That does not mean, however, that all those outside of the Church are damned. Rather, if they do get to heaven, they do it through the graces which Christ gave to the Church, and the Church released to the world.

This analogy might help: The Catholic Church is like to a cruise ship, sailing from earth to heaven. Those who are on the ship reach heaven in the greatest 'comfort,' if you will. Attached to this ship, however, are a lot of life rafts. The rafts do not move under their own power, nor are as 'great' as the ship, but they too will reach heaven.

Thus the non-Catholics could be saved (or not, just as some who claim to be 'Catholic' will not taste eternal life), but they are not going about it in the most perfect manner.