# Sacraments During Conflict The Catholic Church has a well-established structure and plan for serving the sacraments and communicating during times of conflict and crisis. Firstly, the Church recognizes that even in the face of grave crises and challenges, the "powers of death shall not prevail against it" .[^2] The Church's structure, as a "universal communion in faith and sacramental life", allows it to present a consistent and united position at the diocesan, national, and universal levels .[^1] This ensures the continuity of the Church's sacramental ministry even in times of turmoil. The Church has specific bodies and mechanisms in place to coordinate its communications and pastoral response during conflicts and emergencies. The Dicastery for Communication oversees the Holy See's entire communications network, unifying the Church's activities in this area to respond to the needs of the evangelizing mission .[^3][^4] This includes leveraging digital media and modern communication technologies. Additionally, the Church has a long history of local Catholic organizations and lay groups that work closely with the clergy to maintain the sacramental life of the Church, even in the face of persecution or disruption .[^6] These groups help ensure that the faithful are not deprived of the ministry of priests during times of crisis. The Church's approach is guided by a fundamental concern for fidelity to the sacramental mysteries and safeguarding the unity of the Body of Christ .[^5] The Magisterium has consistently intervened in sacramental matters to ensure the priority of God's action and the integrity of the Church's liturgical life .[^5] In summary, the Catholic Church has a well-developed structure and plan for serving the sacraments and communicating effectively during times of conflict and crisis. This includes centralized coordination of communications, local lay support for the clergy, and a steadfast commitment to preserving the Church's sacramental life and unity, no matter the circumstances. [^1][^2][^3][^4][^5][^6] [^1] [Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms on Ecumenism 173](http://www.christianunity.va/content/unitacristiani/en/documenti/testo-in-inglese.html) [^2] [Ut Unum Sint 11](https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_25051995_ut-unum-sint.html) [^3] [Praedicate Evangelium Art. 183](https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_constitutions/documents/20220319-costituzione-ap-praedicate-evangelium.html#Dicastery_for_Divine_Worship_and_the_Discipline_of_the_Sacraments) [^4] [For the establishment of the Secretariat for Communication ](https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_letters/documents/papa-francesco_lettera-ap_20150627_segreteria-comunicazione.html) [^5] [Note Gestis verbisque on the Validity of the Sacraments (2 February 2024) 10](https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_ddf_doc_20240202_gestis-verbisque_en.html) [^6] [Iniquis Afflictisque 25](https://www.vatican.va/content/pius-xi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xi_enc_18111926_iniquis-afflictisque.html) [^7] [Pastor Bonus Introduction 13](https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_jp-ii_apc_19880628_pastor-bonus.html) [^8] [General Catechetical Directory 1](https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cclergy/documents/rc_con_cclergy_doc_11041971_gcat_en.html) [^9] [The Church and Internet 5](https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/pccs/documents/rc_pc_pccs_doc_20020228_church-internet_en.html) [^10] [Evangelii Praecones 69](https://www.vatican.va/content/pius-xii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xii_enc_02061951_evangelii-praecones.html) # Holy Orders During Conflict Based on the Catholic Church's teachings, the sacrament of Holy Orders can still be conferred and the Church's sacramental ministry maintained even during times of conflict and crisis. The Catechism of the Catholic Church affirms that the sacrament of Holy Orders, through which the mission entrusted by Christ to the apostles continues to be exercised in the Church, is essential for the Church's existence .[^2] The Church has a well-established structure and process for ordaining bishops, priests, and deacons to ensure the continuity of this sacramental ministry .[^1][^3][^7] Even in the face of grave challenges, the Church's universal communion in faith and sacramental life allows it to present a consistent and united position .[^1] The Magisterium has consistently intervened to safeguard the integrity of the Church's liturgical life and the priority of God's action through the sacraments .[^5] Furthermore, the Church has local Catholic organizations and lay groups that work closely with the clergy to maintain the sacramental life of the Church, even in times of persecution or disruption .[^6] This helps ensure that the faithful are not deprived of the ministry of priests during crises. While the Church may need to adapt its communication and coordination mechanisms to respond to specific conflict situations, the sacrament of Holy Orders and the Church's sacramental ministry remain essential and can continue to be conferred and exercised .[^3][^4][^5] In summary, the Catholic Church's teachings affirm that the sacrament of Holy Orders can still be celebrated and the Church's sacramental ministry maintained even during times of conflict and crisis, through the Church's established structures and the support of local Catholic communities. [^1][^2][^3][^4][^5][^6][^7] [^1] [CCC 1554](http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P4U.HTM) [^2] [CCC 1536](http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P4R.HTM) [^3] [CCC 1591](http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P4Z.HTM) [^4] [CCC 1599](http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P4Z.HTM) [^5] [Pastores Dabo Vobis 70](https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_jp-ii_exh_25031992_pastores-dabo-vobis.html) [^6] [Catholic Encyclopedia Anglican Orders](https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01491a.htm) [^7] [CCC 1598](http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P4Z.HTM) [^8] [From the Diakonia of Christ to the Diakonia of the Apostles Ch. VII - III.2](https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/cti_documents/rc_con_cfaith_pro_05072004_diaconate_en.html) [^9] [24 June 1979: Priestly Ordination in St Peter's 2](https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/homilies/1979/documents/hf_jp-ii_hom_19790624_ordinazioni-sacerd.html) # Communion During Conflict - [What Counts as Valid Wine for the Eucharist? | Catholic Answers Magazine](https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/what-counts-as-valid-wine-for-the-eucharist)