Post planetary disaster theoryology

[royal_archer]

After watching one to many shows on the history chanel or Discovery or one of the others on various ways we humans could get wiped off the face of the earth. I started thinking about how my family and I might escape such an event. one thought led to another and so on till the question what if there were a small group of humans who survived and were the sole survivors or were significantly and permanately separated from other humans. Now what if this small band of humans did not include a Bishop or priest?

What could be done for marriage, communion, baptism? Is there some contingency plan out there?

 

[TheDoctor]

After watching one to many shows on the history chanel or Discovery or one of the others on various ways we humans could get wiped off the face of the earth. I started thinking about how my family and I might escape such an event. one thought led to another and so on till the question what if there were a small group of humans who survived and were the sole survivors or were significantly and permanately separated from other humans. Now what if this small band of humans did not include a Bishop or priest?

What could be done for marriage, communion, baptism? Is there some contingency plan out there?

This is EXACTLY the plan the Mason dominated shadow world government will use to destroy the Church, however they do not know about the cryogenically stored Bishops deep within the secret catacombs under the Vatican… Sorry, I cruise too many conspiracy websites.

Don’t worry, can’t happen, because if it did that would be the end of the Church, and Jesus promises us in Matthew16:16-18 that not even the gates of Hell will prevail against his Church. So, if Satan and all the demons of Hell cannot destroy the Church, what chance does a hunk of rock or volcano have?

 

[BillP]

What could be done for marriage, communion, baptism? Is there some contingency plan out there?

Marriage, baptism and even the Anointing of the Sick wouldn’t be a problem, even now, in emergent circumstances and the absence of clergy, lay people are permitted to administer these sacraments to one another.

Reconciliation would be a bit of an issue, but even now, all that is required for forgiveness is sincere repentance and the intention of going to confession as soon as possible.

Communion and Holy Orders would be problematic as apostolic succession would have been broken, but folks could still obtain God’s grace and salvation.

 

[BillP]

Don’t worry, can’t happen, because if it did that would be the end of the Church, and Jesus promises us in Matthew16:16-18 that not even the gates of Hell will prevail against his Church.

Such a circumstance would not be the “end of the Church” by a long chalk. The only Sacrament necessary for salvation (Baptism) would still be available and the Church has extraordinary methods for dealing with all the others.

 

[masterjedi747]

Such a circumstance would not be the “end of the Church” by a long chalk.

…even if Apostolic Succession were broken?? I don’t know. If that wasn’t the end of the Church (and probably the world), I would sure expect it to be following shortly thereafter…

I would say that God can send us any disaster that He wants, although He will (because of His promise) make sure that the Church survives intact somehow (even if only in a few scattered underground groups, or whatever). A few priests, at the very least.

Now that I think about it, there was a story in Mr. Blue about the last priest on earth, living in secret under a terrible government – he spent all his time toward obtaining the necessary bread/wine to say one last Mass, and at the very end, right when he was about to be killed (or whatever), the moment that transubstantiation occurred became the Second Coming and the end of the world. I’m sure I don’t have all the details, but it was a very cool little story.

 

[BillP]

…even if Apostolic Succession were broken?? I don’t know. If that wasn’t the end of the Church (and probably the world), I would sure expect it to be following shortly thereafter…

Well, I think the only thing necessary for the continued existence of the Church is two or more of us in one place.

We are the “body of Christ” we can, if necessary, baptize, marry and anoint, that, along with repentance and intention to confess, suffices for Salvation. All the rest is superfluous…nice, uplifting, strengthening, edifying, but, in the final analysis, not necessary for Salvation.

Have a look at how some of the frontier families in the middle South lived in Colonial times. Groups of Catholic (usually Irish or Scots) lived together marrying, baptizing and burying their dead. Sometimes it was ten years or more between visits from the Priest. It was very common for a Priest to formalize (the couple had already made their vows in the presence of witnesses) the marriage of a couple then baptize their 3-4 children during the same visit. God always finds a way.

 

[manualman]

Ah but those fontier folk weren’t the last ones on earth, were they? I suggest that your view is very nearly protestant.

I really don’t see God regressing the status of Divine Revelation and removing the privilidge of Eucharist from humanity. Thus, I’m of the Mr. Blue variety of opinion! (VERY good story)

 

[royal_archer]

My Air Force Survival manual listed some emergency religious instructions such as baptism in dire circumstances. Does anyone recomend a good official reference for sacrements, prayers, or other instructions for dire circumstances?

I was also thinking about the possibility of extra terestrial habitation in this century. What would the options be for full Chirstians (Catholics) to participate in a secular moon or martian colony where access to sacrements would be limmited?