There is no salvation outside the church.

On Baptism, Against the Donatists, book IV, ch. 17. Citing the famous teaching of St. Cyprian. In letter 185:50 (on the Donatist controversy), Augustine speaks of those who have knowingly separated from the unity of the Church: "Furthermore, the Catholic Church alone is the body of Christ, of which He is the Head and Saviour of His body. Outside this body the Holy Spirit giveth life to no one, seeing that, as the apostle says himself, 'The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us;' but he is not a partaker of the divine love who is the enemy of unity. Therefore they have not the Holy Ghost who are outside the Church; for it is written of them, 'They separate themselves, being sensual, having not the Spirit.'" . Augustine does, however, allow certain exceptions, as for example, in cases of invincible ignorance. Eugène Portalié, S.J. writes: "God’s immediate influence on souls, however, is not hindered by this ordinarily indispensable role of the