An expert on Catholic theology discussed the meaning of the church’s views on salvation through its history in hopes of creating a better understanding of Catholicism Wednesday.

Michael Fahey, professor of Catholic theology at Marquette University and editor of the journal Theological Studies, addressed a crowd of more than 200 in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union.

John Donaghy, director of campus ministry at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 2210 Lincoln Way, said salvation and the Catholic Church’s official views are topics often discussed.

“It’s an issue that many students are talking about and asking about,” he said. “It’s a question that is raised very often.”

The short answer to the lecture title, “Who can be saved?” was not going to be answered Wednesday, Fahey said.

“For the compete answer to the question, please consult God,” he said. “Only He knows.”

Humans have to be content in only understanding part of God’s purpose in hopes of realizing the big picture, he said.

The question of salvation has transformed in recent years to focus not on those in the church, but on whether those outside the church can be saved, he said.

“This raises the question whether absolute assertions about salvation by Catholics is still valid,” Fahey said.

The broad history of the Catholic church was discussed so attendees could better understand its history with those outside the church, he said.

Early in the church’s history, most of its followers focused on communication between churches. The rituals of pagans and Jews were of little consequence, he said.

“There were all these exchanges of letters and prayers [between churches], but they did not stay awake at night wondering who was saved and who was not saved,” he said. “There was a whole different way of looking at things.”

Over time, there were many changes on the church’s stance and its importance to followers and missionaries. One of the last modern changes came in the doctrines of Vatican II in the mid-1960s, when the idea of salvation was purposely left open to not exclude those outside the church.

“The language is quite refreshing … and leaves it open to different interpretations,” he said.

Blake Stork, senior in agricultural engineering, said he decided to attend the lecture because he was interested in better understanding his religion.

“I’m Roman Catholic, so I’m interested in learning what [Fahey] has to say,” he said. “[I hope to get] a clearer perspective as to what Catholics believe on this issue, so if I am asked about this in the future, I can relate it to other people.”

Amy Peet, junior in biology, said the lecture will help her decide if Catholicism is the right path for her.

“It’s either going to make me feel more in common with the church, or farther from it, depending on what he has to say,” she said.