Encamp, Andorra, as seen from the Vall dels Cortals
Posted on 07/13/2013 3:06:04 PM PDT by NYer
Over the past few years, Catholics have seen a non-stop assault on traditional values. With the reversal of DOMA by the Supreme Court, the aggressively anti-Catholic liberal agenda will only become stronger. As Christians, it is our duty to bear witness and to stand up for our beliefs, but what if things get really bad–like secret catacombs, beheadings, burning at the stake, and thrown to the lions bad? What are the best places to hide away from the increasingly hostile secular culture? As a service to our readers, we present the top five places for faithful Catholics to spend a peaceful self-imposed exile!
5. Andorra
Encamp, Andorra, as seen from the Vall dels Cortals
Like the Vatican, Andorra is one of few countries on earth to have a cleric as the head of state. In this case, Archbishop Joan Enric Vives i Sicilia currently shares the title of co-prince of Andorra with Francois Hollande (who also holds the title of honorary canon of the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, the mother church of all Christendom). The main industries in Andorra are banking (thanks to extremely low tax rates), sheep, and tobacco products. The population is over 90% Catholic and the constitution provides special privileges to Catholics. Nestled in the mountainous Pyrenees, Andorra is an excellent place to get away from it all. The landlocked nation has no railways, ports, or airports whatsoever. The only access is by road or helicopter. As a fun bit of trivia, Andorra remained in a state of war with Imperial Germany from World War I until 1958 due to a small oversight in the Treaty of Versailles and despite the fact that Andorra did not actually take part in the fighting.
4. San Marino
The Guaita Fortress and part of the City of San Marino
San Marino has all the beauty and culture of Italy, but without a scoundrel whoremonger for a Prime Minister. San Marino, like Italy, is also 95% Catholic. Although national defense is provided by the Italian military, San Marino maintains its own mostly volunteer military and although the duties are almost entirely ceremonial, it is considered a great privilege to serve. The skyline of San Marino is dominated by three ancient towers which overlook the city from craggy mountain peaks. The most popular sports are metric football and formula one racing and every year on the 3rd of September, the micronation celebrates the Feast of San Marino which marks the independence of the tiny republic from the Roman Empire in the year 301 A.D.
3. Malta
Valletta skyline, Malta
The island nation off the coast of Sicily has a population of over 425,000 of which 98% is Catholic and Roman Catholicism is the state religion. Long the headquarters of the Knights Hospitaller, Malta has historically been a stopping point for voyages between Rome and the Holy Land ever since St. Paul the Apostle was shipwrecked there in around the year 60 A.D. To this day, Malta has a diverse but very small population of religious minorities which reflects its status as the strategic crossroads of the Mediterranean. The main language is Maltese, but English is also very widely spoken. Maltese culture places a strong emphasis on marriage and family and there are many traditions associated with motherhood.
Beach on Ile Aloka, Wallis and Futuna
Wallis and Futuna is a cluster of tiny volcanic islands pretty much as far away from anywhere you can get. Technically still part of France, the islands have been self-governing since 2003. Of the population of roughly 15,000 people, 99% are Catholic. Prior to their conversion, the native Wallisian people are reported to have practiced cannibalism, but nowadays the main ingredients of the local cuisine mainly consist of pork, chicken, fish, coconuts, mangoes, and figs. Like other Polynesian cultures, Kava is a popular beverage. The locals still perform traditional music, dancing, and rituals associated with their ancient pagan beliefs, but Roman Catholicism is the official state religion.
Houses, Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Our top choice is this tiny island community off the coast of Newfoundland. Saint-Pierre and Miquelon has a population of about 6,000 of which over 99% are Catholic. The only territory in the world that is more Catholic is the Vatican, but of course you must be a cleric or a Swiss guard to claim Vatican citizenship. That makes Saint-Pierre and Miquelon the most Catholic country in the world that is open to the laity. The downside: the average winter temperatures are in the teens. The major industries of Saint-Pierre are all centered on fishing which makes sense, because St. Peter is the patron of fishermen. The most popular sport in Saint-Pierre is hockey and every year there is a heritage festival with traditional activities like lumberjack skills and the ancient Celtic sport of stone heaving. Keeping the Friday fast will be a cinch as the local cuisine is pretty much all seafood all the time.
There will come a time persecution will be so intense that running away is the only life-sustaining response, even if it is just to the next county or under the bridge when the secularist troops come through. That or instant martyrdom.
There really is nowhere to hide in today's world, although some of these locations might offer a temporary respite from the ever more strident attacks on our faith and beliefs.
It is not unreasonable to seek shelter from these demonic attacks. For example, home-schooling kids, or at least picking a more conservative public school system like we do could be seen as "running away". I am aware of no good purpose of exposing children to the anti-Christian vitriol in, say, Massachusetts schools.
For those at a different station in life national exile might well be a sensible choice. Why do I want to be exposed to homosexual propaganda on a daily basis? Why do I want to drive by an abortion clinic on the way to the grocery store? Yes, I tried to get these things changed by voting and some activism. The stress of the activism caused me substantial physical problems and I had to discontinue that. So I'll let you take over that part. Unfortunately, I don't have the resources to follow through on the exile part.
What about Vatican City? Could you not seek sanctuary there?
It's all about God's will. During WWII the area around Lourdes was safe in the mountains. The Jewish man who wrote Song of Bernadette did so in fulfillment of a promise if God spared him. He spent time around Lourdes, can't remember his name.
I'm not expecting anything that soon. However it made an impression on me maybe to rally around a faithful priest. I don't have a problem with a faithful NO priest, I really don't know that vs. Traditionalist. There have been Catholics who lived on the Eucharist alone but that was before Vatican II. Jesus in that book Alexandrina said he wanted to show the world but it was strange the seizures she'd have at certain times.
I don't believe it's just Catholics but all sincere Christians but that's just me. Naturally they can't participate in Catholic sacraments. The biggest worry is not to be deceived which would take a supernatural gift of discernment. I don't want to lead anybody astray here. Think and pray for yourselves (I know you will anyway).
What did Jesus say about that?
Refresh my memory, I seem to have forgotten.
Hey, relocating to a superior position is sound tactics.
But what did ol' Jesus say about that? When the conflict is in His name?
I had a dream about living in the catacombs. But that was a long, long time ago.
There is a legend that when Peter was trying to flee Rome and his death that he met Jesus carrying his Cross. The two of them then returned to Rome.
And Peter faced his death there.
You’re welcome to meet the UN troops at the front door. I’ll have exited out the back door, to the little chapel I prepared down by the river.
Yep. It's my door on my place and I believe in Jesus.
Oh sure, enough of 'em could take me out, sure enough.
Might cost 'em a bit, but that ain't my problem.
Now.. should it become prudent to operate guerrilla style.. I'm cool with that, but running away in advance of difficulty just doesn't work for me, nor is it backed up by scripture.
And that's all I have to say about that.
“The main industries in Andorra are banking (thanks to extremely low tax rates), sheep, and tobacco products.”
Tourism in relation to skiing also.
These places are all tiny. How many of them would allow significant, or any, immigration?
I’m from Tennessee too... and I AM older and I WILL stand my ground!
;-)))))))))
I’m planning on the MS Gulf Coast!
I am not running anywhere any more. US is the last stand; well, maybe Texas.
Good answer. Glad to see someone posting it.
“Arise, arise, Riders of Theoden! Fell deeds awake: fire and slaughter! spear shall be shaken, shield be splintered, a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises! Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor!” —Theoden King
Haven’t you seen the Falklands on the Travel Channel? Cold, isolated, infested with sheep, and veddy, veddy British.
He said, "When you see the Romans coming, flee to the countryside. Don't even stop for your shoes! Remember Lot's wife ... BUG OUT!!!" or words to that effect.
It might be taken to mean, "Get out of New York and fort up in Texas."
I remember reading that there are two sites one on Ephesus and also one in Jerusalem where it is said that Mary had lived her last days. Would not surprise me if John took Mary home to Jerusalem before she died. There is a shrine that honors where he tomb was.
I guess you can sequester yourselves - the rest of Christians will likely stay among society to seek out any souls ripe for saving.
Forth - EORLINGAS!
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