This is an excellent question, given the religious situation in the world today.  Since the priest mentioned the Second Vatican Council, let me begin with the text to which he is referring.  It comes from Lumen Gentium, The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, article 16.  This article speaks of the Church's relation to non-Christians.

 Finally, those who have not yet received the Gospel are related in various ways to the people of God. In the first place we must recall the people to whom the testament and the promises were given and from whom Christ was born according to the flesh. On account of their fathers this people remains most dear to God, for God does not repent of the gifts He makes nor of the calls He issues.; But the plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator. In the first place amongst these there are the Mohamedans, who, professing to hold the faith of Abraham, along with us adore the one and merciful God, who on the last day will judge mankind. Nor is God far distant from those who in shadows and images seek the unknown God, for it is He who gives to all men life and breath and all things, and as Saviour wills that all men be saved. Those also can attain to salvation who through no fault of their own do not know the Gospel of Christ or His Church, yet sincerely seek God and moved by grace strive by their deeds to do His will as it is known to them through the dictates of conscience. Nor does Divine Providence deny the helps necessary for salvation to those who, without blame on their part, have not yet arrived at an explicit knowledge of God and with His grace strive to live a good life. Whatever good or truth is found amongst them is looked upon by the Church as a preparation for the Gospel. She knows that it is given by Him who enlightens all men so that they may finally have life. But often men, deceived by the Evil One, have become vain in their reasonings and have exchanged the truth of God for a lie, serving the creature rather than the Creator. Or some there are who, living and dying in this world without God, are exposed to final despair. Wherefore to promote the glory of God and procure the salvation of all of these, and mindful of the command of the Lord, "Preach the Gospel to every creature", the Church fosters the missions with care and attention.

     I wanted to quote the entire article, but I highlighted the (perhaps) surprising proclamation of the Council that those who do not know Christ may attain salvation (another way of saying "get into heaven").  What the Council is focusing on is God's desire to save all of humanity; and, if one needs to explicitly acknowledge Jesus Christ as the Son of God, then heaven is really a fairly empty place compared to hell--for centuries, Africans, Asians, and North and South Americans never heard the gospel of Christ.  These would all be damned if explicit faith in Christ were strictly required for salvation.

      Now, as you rightly point out, the Gospel of John proclaims that "no one comes to the Father except through me (Christ)."  And the Catholic Church does believe this.  If anyone is saved, it is through the saving mystery of Christ.  This led one theologian, Karl Rahner, to speak of "Anonymous Christians."  These would be those people who are moved by grace to live a holy life BUT, for whatever reason, in their desire to love and please God, they never come to an EXPLICITLY articulated faith in Christ.  We would say that they had an implicit faith in Christ which never came to full expression.  (Mind you, some non-Christians do take offense at this.  However, this is natural for religious people to understand the world in the faith system of their beliefs.  For example, Buddhists may consider Christians to be "enlightened," although that is a specific Buddhist term which does not have the same meaning for Christians.  Likewise, we Catholics recognize the faith-filled and holy lives of non-Christians by using our categories of salvation through Christ...hence the term "anonymous Christian."  They are living out what we believe to be faith in Christ BUT they do not have explicit faith in Christ).

     I would point out, in our current situation of world religions, that this article does point out the esteem we have for Muslims (Mohamedans).  It re-iterates this, along with our esteem for the Jews (named here as the "people to whom the testament and promises were given" and "from whom Christ was born), in another document, Nostra Aetate.  Now, I do point out, as the article says, we see all that is "good and holy" in non-Christians as a preparation for the Gospel message.  Just because people belong to a faith of Abraham (Christianity, Judaism or Islam) does not make everything they do "good" or "holy."  Specifically, Pope Benedict has spoken out against any violence done in the name of religion--this we name as evil.  And it is good to point out that, specifically with the followers of Islam, many of the Muslim leaders came out recently with a letter which focuses us all, Muslims, Jews, and Christians, on the commands to love God and to love neighbor as self.  This divine law is present in the writings of all three religions.

     At the heart of this teaching, I believe, is the mystery of God's plan of salvation.  It is a mystery most perfectly revealed in Christ; but as with all divine mysteries, it is beyond total human comprehension.  The Church's statement that salvation belongs, ultimately, to God's decision and not ours, honors this holy and sacred mystery.

     And, really (with due acknowledgment that there are differences in the world's religions), if we all took seriously to love this mysterious God and to love each other as we would like to be loved, the world would be a better place, and religion would be a more sanctifying source of reconciliation than it currently is.

     I do hope this gives a satisfying answer to your very pertinent and thought provoking question.

Grace and Peace,
Fr. Chris 

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