Dialogue is indeed an integral part of the evangelising mission of the Church. But let us also not forget, “proclamation is the foundation, centre, and summit of evangelisation” (Evangelii Nuntiandi, 1975, point 27). To drive this point further, we can surmise that the Church would not have so emphasised the importance of proclamation as “the foundation, centre, and summit of evangelisation” if all religions were equal in revelation and truth. We can dialogue and share in order to learn, understand and respect one another. But ultimately, the truth must be spoken, and all dialogue must be at the service of truth. There must be a point at which dialogue transposes into proclamation.

At the same time, dialogue, by its sheer nature, also means that the religious conscience of the human person must be respected, that “no one must be constrained to act against his conscience, nor should he be impeded in acting according to his conscience, especially in religious matters" (Dignitatis Humanae, 1965, point 3). Dialogue ensures that the graces of voluntary and willing conversion are preserved in the evangelisation efforts of the Church.

Evidently from this entire discussion, it does not necessarily follow that anyone who is not visibly within the Church is necessarily damned. And yet, Holy Mother Church continues to invite our non-Catholic neighbours to dialogue, and to ultimately proclaim among them the truth of Jesus Christ.

But lest we who are already found within the Church sink into complacency about our own salvation, we are also reminded: still less does it follow that everyone who is visibly within the Church is necessarily saved. St Augustine of Hippo once remarked, “How many sheep there are without, how many wolves within!” (Homilies on John, 45, 12). This serves as a stern warning to we who distort the truth in our dealings with our non-Christian neighbours: we must be careful what we teach, in both word and deed.