Vatican (1983: Doomsday)
From Alternative History
SEDE VACANTE
The expression sede vacante refers to the vacancy of the Holy See, which occurs after the death or resignation of a pope. In this case the particular church is the Diocese of Rome and the "vacant seat" is the cathedra of Saint John Lateran, the cathedral church of the bishop of Rome. During this period, the Holy See is administered by a regency of the Camerlengo in line with the 1975 Romano Pontifici Eligendo of Pope Paul VI and emergency decree of Pope Pius XII.
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[edit] Vatican City State, September 23rd 1983
On the morning of September 26 the Supreme Pontiff of the Holy Roman Catholic Church, His Holiness Pope John Paul II gathers with members of the Pontifical Council for the Laity in the Papal Palace of the Vatican City State to discuss common issues and strategies,
"J’ai éprouvé une grande joie à célébrer cette messe, avec vous, Eminence, qui assurez la présidence du Conseil pontifical pour les Laïcs, ainsi qu’avec vous, membres, consulteurs et délégués du “Congresso”. The Final address of Pope John Paul II to the Pontifical Council for the Laity at the Vatican Friday, 23 September 1983
The City of Rome has suffered several direct hits from ICBM's, destroying the ancient city and the Vatican City State. Due to no warning, the senior clergy of the Church along with the majority of Roman citizens have perished.
The decrees of Pope Puis XII transferring the power of the Cardinal Camerlengo to the Archbishop of Rio de Janeiro are brought into immediate force.
I Pius XII, Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Jesus Christ, Successor of the Prince of the Apostles, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, Primate of Italy, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Roman Province, Sovereign of the State of Vatican City, Servant of the Servants of God understanding that conditions which are not conducive to continuing and maintaining the See of Peter are present in the world and understanding that our person is incarcerated or nullified through execution or ended prematurely and contrary to the will of God through his Church decrees that the See of Peter is Sede Vacante with the power of the Camerlengo is imbued into the person of the Archbishop of Rio de Janeiro creating the Archbishop, a Cardinal in pectore with the powers to engage a curia and begin the election of a successor to the See of Peter when conditions allow. Signed: Pius PP. XII, Ioannes PP. XXIII, Paulus PP. VI, Ioannes Paulus PP. I, Ioannes Paulus PP. II
[edit] Camerlengo
However the Camerlengo, though currently responsible for the government of the Roman Catholic Church during a sede vacante is controlled via the Romano Pontifici Eligendo (PP Paul VI 1975) — although this power of government is extremely limited, being merely enough to allow Church institutions to continue to operate and perform some basic functions without making any definitive decisions or appointments that are normally reserved to other powers delegated by the Pope. The Camerlengo, though, does keep his office during the sede vacante, as opposed to the rest of the Roman Curia. The only other person who keeps his office is the Major Penitentiary.
Chief among the traditional responsibilities of the Camerlengo is the formal determination of the death of the reigning Pope; the traditional procedure for this was to strike gently the Pope's head three times with a silver hammer and to call his baptismal name (e.g. "Albine, dormisne?", i.e. "Albino, are you sleeping?"). After the Pope is declared dead, the Camerlengo removes the Ring of the Fisherman from his finger and cuts it with shears in the presence of the Cardinals, and also destroys the face of the Pope's official seal. These acts symbolize the end of the late Pope's authority. The Camerlengo then notifies the appropriate officers of the Roman Curia and the Dean of the College of Cardinals. He is then involved with the preparations concerning the conclave and the Pope's funeral.
[edit] Post Doomsday Sede Vacante
October 7th Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary:
An emergency meeting of the Bishops of Brazil is convened by Cardinal Priest Eusebio Archbishop Oscar Scheid, Archbishop of Rio de Janeiro Camerlengo of the Holy See.
"Brothers and sisters in Christ, in this valley of tears I greet you, supplicant before God, repentant for our inhumanity. We each of us, must take up the call more than ever before to love one another as Christ loves us. We have lost our beloved Holy Father, we have lost the See of Rome, we have lost so much, yet in what seems the last of days, our humanity can only bring forth joy. We must shelter the homeless, feed the poor, tend the sick and love our neighbours. In this age of darkness we can not forget the words of Saint Mark
- Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land.
- Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be comforted.
- Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill.
- Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
- Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God.
- Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
- Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Lift your eyes and look within each other, we have much to do.
May God bless you in the name of the Father, Son and holy Spirit, Amen"
Emergency declaration from the Council of Rio de Janeiro Statement of the Council under the chair of the Cardinal Camerlengo In so much as the See of Rome is Sede Vacante, we the Bishops of the one, true, holy and apostolic Catholic Church confirm and reaffirm our loyalty to the Bishop of Rome our beloved Holy Father, and will seek in collegiality to convene as soon as is logistically possible a full Conclave representative of the Universal Catholic Church to ensure the continuity of the see of Rome and ensure that the Chair of Peter is filled according to the rites and traditions as laid down in the Constitution of the Church Romano Pontifici Eligendo set forth by our late beloved Holy Father Paul VI and his predecessors. In so much that the See of Peter is vacant no changes to Canon law, liturgy, rites and traditions shall be permitted until said Conclave meets and the Holy Father there after permits
Reaffirmed at the meeting of the Bishops of the Americas in sight of the Cardinal Camerlengo on the 2nd November 1983, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
[edit] Conclave
- See main article: Papal Conclave
Cardinal Camerlengo calls Bishops of the world to the Conclave to start the process of selection for a new Pontiff and Bishop of Rome on the feast of St. John Lateran of Rome (mother church of the Catholic faith) on November 9th in the Monastery of São Bento Rio de Janeiro. Cardinal Priest Eusebio Archbishop Oscar Scheid, Archbishop of Rio de Janeiro Camerlengo of the Holy See officiates at the 1st post doomsday world Conclave to elect the new Bishop of Rome.
The Monastery of São Bento emerged on the hill, with a panoramic view of the Guanabara Bay, some twenty years after the foundation of the City of Rio de Janeiro, in 1565, making it 61 years older than the former St Peters Basilica in Rome. In 1602 the name of the Church was changed to N.S. de Monserrat. The monastery, which has been compared to a museum, has a monastic simplicity making it one of the most beautiful architectural complexes in the world.
[edit] Americas
On the feast of All Souls 2nd November 1983 the 1st full meeting of the Catholic Church in the Americas is convened in Brasilia Brazil,in sight of Cardinal Priest Eusebio Archbishop Oscar Scheid, Archbishop of Rio de Janeiro Camerlengo of the Holy See. delegates represent the vast majority of surviving Catholics in the Americas.
- Central American Delegates
Belize / Costa Rica / El Salvador / Guatemala / Honduras / Nicaragua / Panama
- South American Delegates
Argentina / Bolivia / Brazil / Chile / Colombia / Ecuador / French Guiana / Guyana / Paraguay / Peru / Suriname / Uruguay / Venezuela
Claudio Hummes, Archbishop of Sao Paulo, Brazil, is appointed President of the Bishops Conference of the Americas.
As of October, 2009, the status of the North American Roman Catholic Archdioceses in regards to Rio de Janeiro remains unclear. West Texas has the only known archdiocese, but other Roman Catholic parishes are active in the other nations.
[edit] ANZC
The Roman Catholic Church in the Commonwealth of Australia and New Zealand has remained intact since Doomsday, although the destruction of Australia's three largest cities, and the construction of new cities in Geelong, Bunbury, and Jervis Bay, prompted some reorganization. In Micronesia, the destruction of Guam required the elevation of Palikir to an archdiocese to replace Agana. Here are its divisions: See also the dioceses of the Oceanian RCC in OTL.
Australia
Ecclesiastical Province of Adelaide
- Archdiocese of Adelaide
- Diocese of Darwin
- Diocese of Point Pirie
Ecclesiastical Province of Brisbane
- Archdiocese of Brisbane
- Diocese of Cairns
- Diocese of Rockhampton
- Diocese of Toowoomba
- Diocese of Townsville
Ecclesiastical Province of Melbourne/Geelong
- Archdiocese of Melbourne/Geelong
- Diocese of Ballarat
- Diocese of Sale
- Diocese of Sandhurst
Ecclesiastical Province of Perth/Bunbury
- Archdiocese of Perth/Bunbury
- Diocese of Broome
- Diocese of Geraldton
Ecclesiastical Province of Sydney/Canberra
- Archdiocese of Sydney/Canberra
- Diocese of Armidale
- Diocese of Bathurst
- Diocese of Broken Bay
- Diocese of Canberra
- Diocese of Lismore
- Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle
- Diocese of Parramatta
- Diocese of Wagga Wagga
- Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes
- Diocese of Wollongong
Ecclesiastical Province of Jervis Bay
- Archdiocese of Jervis Bay
- Diocese of Kiama
- Diocese of Nowra
- Diocese of Ulladulla
New Zealand
Ecclesiastical Province of New Zealand
- Archdiocese of Wellington
- Diocese of Auckland
- Diocese of Christchurch
- Diocese of Dunedin
- Diocese of Hamilton
- Diocese of Palmerston North
Samoa /Micronesia/Marshall Islands
Ecclesiastical Province of Micronesia
- Archdiocese of Palikir (formerly, Diocese of the Caroline Islands)
- Diocese of Chalan Kanoa
- Prefecture of the Marshall Islands
Ecclesiastical Province of Samoa
- Archdiocese of Apia
- Diocese of Pago Pago
- Mission Sui Iuris of Funafuti (for Tuvalu)
- Mission Sui Iuris of Tokelau
[edit] Europe
Irish Republic & U.K: In the aftermath of DD and the break down of civilization on the mainland UK the unification of the remaining churches has brought about the re-emergence of the Celtic Church. Until 1992, no contact with other religious leaders was possible and a redesigned and reformed church has emerged. The principle Primate of the Roman Church being the Archbishop of Armagh, places the decrees of Pius XII as lapsed as no communication is forthcoming. For all intents and purposes, it is Catholic in all but name; similar to Anglicanism.
In addition the General Assemblies of the remaining Free Churches & State Church of Scotland meet in emergency session in Armagh. The Joint General Assembly agrees a text of unification with the remainder Roman Church.
See Celtic Church stub.
Portugal:The surviving clergy welcomed the Papal representatives with open arms and maintain an active structure.
France: Certain parts of the Francophone territories have retained the Roman principles but have relied on the Celtic Church for Clergy and ministry. The majority of the French Church now lies in Monaco & the Sixth Republic (R.T.A).
Monaco: The Archbishop of Monaco has direct links to Rio and has been able to maintain the Catholic hierarchy
Spain: Due to disputes in the Iberian Peninsula, Spanish bishops have been included in the bishops of Portuguese delegation as part of a single Hispanic-Portuguese Conference.
Switzerland, Austria & Germany: Early evidence points to a fragmented social order across much of the wastelands of Europe; outside the main states. Celtic Church missionaries have reported that small communities of religious orders - Jesuits, Dominicans and Franciscans - are maintaining libraries, education and providing safety in old monastic buildings. The Alpine Confederation has a stronger Catholic structure with direct links now existing with Rio. The German states in the north, however, are reportedly staunch Protestants and atheists.
Sicily: The Mafia based state relationship with the Church is fraught with ambiguities with some clergy supporting the principles of the new state. Nevertheless, the Patriarch of Venice has denounced the regime as an affront to God.
[edit] Africa
Little was known about the extent of church activity across the continent until 1999. Nevertheless, local churches have begun to communicate via the reemerging structures through the Dioceses and extensive religious orders that have been active prior to DD. The church is fully intact throughout País del Oro, Republic of South Africa, New Union of South Africa, New Britain, Zaire, and the Republic of KwaXhosa and now has full contact with Rio. The Church in Africa constitutes the second largest population of Roman Catholics in the world.
Dioceses include:
Pais del Oro
- Archdiocese of Rabat (titular)
- Diocese of Laayoune
- Archdiocese of Tanger (titular)
- Diocese of Ceuta (titular)
- Diocese of Melilla
- Diocese of Tenerife
- Diocese of Canarias
- Diocese of Ibiza
- Diocese of Mallorca
- Diocese of Menorca
- Military Archdiocese (vacant)
Former South Africa
- Archdiocese of Bloemfontein
- Diocese of Bethlehem
- Diocese of Keimoes-Upington
- Diocese of Kimberley
- Diocese of Kroonstad
- Archdiocese of Cape Town
- Diocese of Aliwal
- Diocese of De Aar
- Diocese of Oudtshoorn
- Diocese of Port Elizabeth
- Diocese of Queenstown
- Archdiocese of Durban
- Diocese of Dundee
- Diocese of Eshowe
- Diocese of Kokstad
- Diocese of Mariannhill
- Diocese of Umtata
- Diocese of Umzimkulu
- Archdiocese of Johannesburg
- Diocese of Klerksdorp
- Diocese of Manzini
- Diocese of Witbank
- Archdiocese of Pretoria
- Diocese of Pietersburg
- Diocese of Rustenburg
- Diocese of Tzaneen
- Vicariate of Francistown
[edit] Asia
Until 1996, when contact with the Philippines was resumed, ANZC-controlled East Timor was the only known surviving Catholic nation in Asia. The Archdiocese of Manila-NCR, led by Jaime Cardinal Sin, was quick in sending correspondence to the post-Doomsday clergy; insisting its communion with the Church in Rome in line with the decrees issued by Pope Pius XII. In the years following Doomsday, the Catholics of Southeast Asia have encouraged humanitarian and missionary work, as well as inter-faith peace efforts with Muslims. It was arguably the Archdiocese that helped hold together the faithful in the years prior to the contact.
Cardinal Sin, in particular, survived the chaos of the "Indefinite Emergency" to emerge as a freedom advocate against Marcos. Following the formation of the Third Republic in 1987, he organized a charity group comprising of both laymen and clergy whose aim was to uphold the Church's work for "the poorest of the poor;" known as Gawad Bayanihan. In time this group would become one of the most influential Non-government Organizations (NGOs) in the Philippines. The NGO's efforts helped reduce poverty rates nationwide, and bring the Christian-Islamic quarrels in Mindanao and Sabah to a close by 2001.
As of 2009, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of East Timor and the Philippines (CBCEP) is the main representative of Asia; under its president, Cardinal Gaudentio Rosales.
The CBCEP has urged the Camerlengo to give consideration to holding a Conclave in November 2009.
[edit] See also
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