Our Lady of Redemption
Author’s Notes
Strict Player Canon
The material on this page is strictly player canon for roleplay purposes, and does not express or imply any authority over any other player's canon nor assert any standing in the full and official Homecoming setting. This church and the assumptions about the Catholic doctrine that surround it are nevertheless offered to the community as open resources to be used for roleplay, under the assumption that the Church is not damaged, desecrated, or destroyed, and the NPC's who staff it are not harmed or killed.
Religion in the Setting
The content on this page explores a fictionalized version of the Roman Catholic Church specifically adapted for the author's roleplay within the City of Heroes (Primal Earth) universe. While the superhero genre frequently tackles complex themes of justice, power, and morality, it also has a long tradition of integrating spiritual elements -- from demons and blessings to the personal faith of characters like Nightcrawler or Daredevil.
The organizations, doctrines, and historical events described here (such as the Vox Dei Commission) are works of speculative alternate history. They are designed to explore how an ancient real-world institution might react to the sudden existence of superheroes, magic, and aliens. This material is intended solely to provide depth and flavor for roleplay. It is not an endorsement of specific real-world dogmas, nor is it an attempt to proselytize or critique actual religious beliefs. We aim to treat the subject matter with respect while adapting it to the fantastical reality of Paragon City.
Global Theology
The doctrines and organizations detailed represent only the author's personal roleplay canon of the Roman Catholic response to the emergence of the Metahuman. In a world where the supernatural, extraterrestrial, and mutagenic are undeniable realities, it is understood that all major faith traditions—including Protestant denominations, Judaism, Islam, and Eastern philosophies -- have undergone similar periods of theological introspection and adaptation.
Just as the Vox Dei Commission sought to reconcile Catholic dogma with the existence of Superpowers and Superbeings, other faiths would inevitably have convened their own councils, issued their own edicts, and established their own specialized ministries to guide the powered population. The absence of those details here reflects only the specific narrative focus of this article, not an absence of their influence in Paragon City.
The Doctrine of Donum Extraordinarium
In the wake of the 20th Century's explosion of metahuman activity, the Church faced an existential theological crisis. The official response, codified in the Doctrine of Donum Extraordinarium (The Extraordinary Gift), separates the "Super" from the "Supernatural."
History: The Silent Council
- The Crisis of the Golden Age (1938–1954): As the first masked heroes appeared, the hierarchy fractured. The Integrationists argued that mutation was a natural variation of Creation, while the Exclusionists viewed metahumans as the biblical Nephilim returned -- abominations of nature.
- The Incident at St. Jude’s (1944): A tragic failed exorcism of a young telekinetic mutant in Chicago polarized the issue, proving that treating mutation as demonic possession was physically dangerous.
- The Vox Dei Commission (1955): A pontifical commission that officially ruled that the "Super Gene" is biological, not spiritual. This established that possessing power is not a sin; the use of that power determines morality.
- The Schism: Following the ruling, hardline Exclusionists splintered from the Church to form the Malleus Society, a paramilitary techno-inquisition dedicated to "purging" metahumans. In modern times, the Exclusionists have often overlapped membership with The Malta Group.
Classification of Powers
Current doctrine divides metahuman origins into three theological categories:
- The Natural (Biological & Scientific): Mutants, Technology, and Science origins. Treated as "Charisms" (talents). No spiritual restrictions.
- The Arcane (Applied Metaphysics): Magic origins. The Church distinguishes between Goetia (forbidden summoning) and Theurgia (permissible manipulation of ambient dimensional energies). Cooperation with MAGI is maintained to monitor threats.
- The Plane-Touched (The Complicated): Entities such as Kheldians, Spirits, and Hybrids. Doctrine asserts that the presence of a Human Soul (evidenced by free will and conscience) allows for salvation, regardless of biological casing.
Specialized Organizations
To manage the unique spiritual needs of a powered population, several "quiet" organizations operate within the Church's shadow bureaucracy.
- The Order of St. Albert (The Albertines): Scientist-Priests and Mage-Priests who study the physics of the supernatural.
- The Dicastery for Extraordinary Affairs: The administrative body that tracks infernal threats and authorizes specialized pastoral care.
- Custodians of the Threshold: Priests specially trained to hear the confessions of metahumans, vigilantes, and those afflicted by curses. They are authorized to grant the Dispensatio Sacramentalis.
Our Lady of Redemption
| Our Lady of Redemption | |
|---|---|
 The church frontage in King's Row.
| |
| Location | King's Row (Central Tenements) |
| Affiliation | Roman Catholic Church / Local Community |
| Leader | Father James McAllister |
| Status | Active Sanctuary |
Our Lady of Redemption is a small parish located in the heart of King's Row. To the public, it is a "hard-luck" church serving the working poor, ex-cons, and the homeless. To the Metahuman community, it is a known sanctuary for those who walk the line between monster and hero.
The Building
Nestled tightly between residential tenements, the church relies on urban camouflage. It keeps a low profile, with fire escapes and brickwork blending into the gritty aesthetic of the Row.
- The Rose Window: A large stained-glass window that dominates the south-facing street facade. It is rumored to act as a passive ward against lower-level spirits, and sunlight that passes through it becomes sanctified.
- The Side Entrances: Shielded from public view by narrow alleys, these doors allow heroes (or villains seeking redemption) to enter and exit without alerting the media or the PPD.
- The Confessional: Specially reinforced and soundproofed to contain the energies and secrets of powered penitents.
- The Reliquary: A reinforced display case in the narthex containing minor artifacts of the "Hidden War" -- a burnt rosary from the 1944 Schism, a shard of a destroyed Circle of Thorns altar, and other spiritual detritus.
- The case is secured by a visible MAGI Containment Seal (Class 3). This wax-and-lead stamp signifies that the contents are metaphysically volatile and that the Church has been deputized by MAGI to keep them contained on consecrated ground.
- The Undercroft: The basement is a reinforced, windowless level originally built as a bomb shelter during the Cold War. It serves as the "overflow" for the soup kitchen during the day, but at night, the heavy steel doors can partition off secure rooms for "sensitive cases" or containment.
The Staff
- Father James McAllister (Pastor): A priest with specialized training from the Dicastery for Extraordinary Affairs. He serves as a confessor to the "Unique," capable of distinguishing between a mutant, a mage, and a demon. He maintains connections with MAGI and the FBSA.
- Sister Margaret Connor (Charitable Director): A formidable woman who runs the parish soup kitchen and charitable drives. She treats superpowers with utilitarian indifference, often putting super-strong heroes to work moving crates.
- Frank & Jolene Riley (Operations):
- Frank Riley: A retired PPD beat cop who acts as the church's "Bouncer," keeping trouble away from the sanctuary doors.
- Jolene Riley: The facilities administrator who manages the physical upkeep and cleans up "metahuman accidents" before the morning mass.
- Johnathan Murphy (Music Director): Responsible for the choir and service programming, known for somber, grounding arrangements.
The Sacramental Allowance
Because the parish serves the "Plane-Touched," Father McAllister is authorized to perform the Dispensatio Sacramentalis. This rite provides a temporary spiritual ward for parishioners with infernal or cursed biology (such as Samantha Grey), dampening the physical pain caused by contact with consecrated ground or holy artifacts.
- This allowance is conditional, requiring regular Confession and specific penance (often the Rosary) to maintain the spiritual "shield."