Situation where there are no priests

[wjp984]

I recently watched season 2 of Lost and because there are several religious references in the show such as baptism and building a church it got me thinking. There is no legitimate priests on that island but there are a few Catholics so what would they do? Would they be able to say a mass on Sunday without a priest or ordain one of their own who they thought was the most knowledgable and then even though there was no official ordination by a bishop, be able to consecrate the bread and celebrate the Eucharist as well as give out absolution? I know baptism would not be an issue because anyone can baptize but the other sacraments might be.

 

[mike182d]

I recently watched season 2 of Lost and because there are several religious references in the show such as baptism and building a church it got me thinking. There is no legitimate priests on that island but there are a few Catholics so what would they do? Would they be able to say a mass on Sunday without a priest or ordain one of their own who they thought was the most knowledgable and then even though there was no official ordination by a bishop, be able to consecrate the bread and celebrate the Eucharist as well as give out absolution? I know baptism would not be an issue because anyone can baptize but the other sacraments might be.

They would not be able to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Period. This can only be done by an ordained priest whose ordination is conferred upon him by the magisterium.

However, they could continue to celebrate a liturgy without the Eucharist and I do believe the clause that provides for being able to miss Mass for grave reasons would apply to those stranded on a deserted island after a plane crash.

 

[LilyM]

And while they wouldn’t be able to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation they could certainly obtain forgiveness for mortal sins with an Act of Perfect Contrition including a firm resolve to confess to a priest as soon as possible.

 

[The_Augustinian]

Laymen cannot say mass or hear confessions, but they can certainly baptize and hold prayer services. The Church in Japan survived nearly three centuries without a single priest, with only two sacraments – baptism and marriage (the ministers of marriage are the two getting married, not the priest).

 

[wjp984]

alright, well let’s say that island was the entire world as in there was a nuclear war and everyone was wiped out except for the people on that island. Would they then be allowed to ordain their own priests to start over?

 

[Brain]

No, because Chirst said that the church would never pass away. Therefore if there were no more priests, Jesus would probably have to make his return PDQ.

 

[TimOliv]

alright, well let’s say that island was the entire world as in there was a nuclear war and everyone was wiped out except for the people on that island. Would they then be allowed to ordain their own priests to start over?

Sure, then they get to all be Episcopalians. You cannot, under any circumstances, simply ordain your own priests and have them be valid.

That is of course, unless during the night (in boogeyman-like fashion) some bishops sneak into your house during the night and consecrate you a Bishop (happens all the time, let me tell ya).