Can the Catholic Church still grant fugitives "sanctuary"?

Question

Like on the Hunchback from Notre Dame?

Answer 1

No that only worked back in the dark ages in Europe and it still wasnt 100% fool proof either.

Answer 2

There may be countries where the police will bow to the power of the Catholic church and not pursue a fugitive in their custody, but not in Europe or North America.

The power of the church was absolutely incredible during the middle ages, and it effectively trumped that of many national governments in Europe. Church property was largely exempt from the control of the state in which is was located, in much the same way that a foreign embassy is in the modern era. The church has seen its power wane considerably since then.

Answer 3

-is catholic-

The granting of "sanctuary" depends on two things:

1.) Governments allowing a place to be designated a "sanctuary" and reconsigning it as such.

2.) The sanctuary place offering sanctuary and preventing governments who do not reconsign the sanctuary from capturing the individual who seeks help.

The Catholic Church is bound by the virtue of charity to offer help to all who truly come to her for protection. To my knowledge, the local bishop has the authority to determine how this is applied and who the Church official will protect.

There are nations around the world, especially those torn by war and afflicted by tyrannical governments where the Church does offer protection and sanctuary. However, I am not going to discuss that, so as to minimize the amount of actual information out there on the topic.

Historically, though I can point to the activity of the Catholic Church to move people out of Nazi Germany as well as the Soviet Union.

If a person is in such and such a place and needs sanctuary, they should see if their local priest can help.

Answer 4

no