Well, there were people who taught that "outside the (Catholic) Church there is no salvation" (Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus), and I guess the teaching is still on the books - but even grade school in the 1950's, we were taught all sorts of exceptions and loopholes. Nowadays, even the conservative EWTN has mitigating information on its Website. There was an infamous but very popular Jesuit priest, Father Feeney, who preached a very rigid interpretation of this doctrine that bordered on hatefulness. In an act of delicious irony, the Catholic Church excommunicated Feeney for refusing to back down on his teaching. So, Feeney died "outside the Church."
But to this day, there are Catholics who insist Feeney was right.

I think Jesus saved everyone, bringing the generosity and abundance of divine love to all humanity - but that's my belief, and most of you know I'm a damn liberal.

-Joe-