Against the "Soul of the Church" heresy
The “Soul of the Church” heresy claims that people can be saved by being united to the “soul” of the Church without being part of its “body.” This idea is refuted by Catholic teaching, which holds that the Church is a unified Mystical Body, with the Holy Spirit as its soul. The Church’s body and soul are inseparable, much like the union of Christ’s divine and human natures. Papal pronouncements, such as those by Pope Eugene IV and Pope Pius XI, affirm that salvation requires belonging to the Church’s Body, and there is no salvation outside of it, even for those who die for Christ. The “Soul of th Church” heresy is thoroughly condemned by the Magisterium.