APRIL 2013
ASK A PRIEST
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

FATHER WILLIAM G. MENZEL
FATHER KEVIN BATES, SM
FATHER AMARO SAUMELL
CATHOLICVIEW STAFF
PRIEST STAFF

FATHER KEVIN BATES, SM

"My mom and sister abused me mentally, physically,
and emotionally and also to my children.  How must
I handle this?"  Cindy

Father Kevin:

My family (My Mom and Sister) abuses me mentally, physically, and emotionally, now they are doing it to my 3 and 1 year old. My Husband and I have tried sitting down and talking with them to quit but they just laughed and called us names, they won't quit. Cutting them out of our lives would mean losing my Dad who is not abusive and a great guy, what do we do? - Cindy

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Dear Cindy:

What a terrible situation you are in. Your issue is a personal and relational one rather than a question about your faith. I will offer a thought or two in the hope that it may bring you a bit of insight or comfort.

It seems clear that your mother and sister are not able to hear your pain or understand the level of suffering they are causing in you and your children. Is it possible to speak with your Dad on his own and get his thoughts on the matter?

Is it possible to step back a bit from contact with them and keep in touch with your Dad by some means so that your relationship with him remains strong?

Even in terms of your own response to your mother and sister, can you summon the strength to show them that what they are saying and doing is not affecting you (even though it is), and that may take away their sense of power which is what this kind of behavior is often all about.

Even though you may be paddling like mad under the water, can you show them a calm exterior which says to them "I am living with my dignity intact and your hurtful behavior is your issue and not mine."? 

A final resort of course is to do what Jesus once suggested and shake the dust from your feet and have nothing to do with them. Of course this may not be ideal as you may lose touch with your Dad.  Perhaps you could talk to your Dad and see if he can mediate on your behalf.

One thing is for sure, your life is too short and precious to live it out as a victim.  I will pray that you can come to a fruitful course of action for you and your family.  Every blessing. - Father Kevin

"What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 22:5
and is being a transvestite a sin? - Bolton
 

Father Kevin:

What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 22:5 and is being a transvestite a sin? - Bolton

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Hi Bolton, 

How did you find that verse hidden away there?  It has nothing to do with the other verses around it other than being part of a bunch of guidelines the author put together as a sort of guide for good living. Perhaps the verse refers to sexual deviancy and directs people to behave in a respectful way towards each other sexually.  Perhaps it simply points out that cross-dressing is not the norm and should be avoided.  It seems to be part of a longer set of recipes for social harmony and peace.

As for being a sin, you'd have to draw a pretty long bow to claim that.  Actors do it.  Transvestites do it.  Are they setting out to offend?  Are they setting out to insult God or His law?  I wouldn't expect that to be the case.

If they are setting out to offend then any sin would reside in that intention rather than the action of cross-dressing itself.  Are they expressing a certain need to explore their identity, sexual or personal?  Possibly.  Are they behaving beyond what people generally regard as the norm?  Yes, probably.  Are they hurting anyone or likely to do so by this behavior?  Probably not, though they may initially occasion comment or confusion among family and friends.

Are they crying out for some kind of affirmation understanding or acceptance?  Quite possibly.  Are they sinning by being who they are? I wouldn't think so would you? - Father Kevin

"I am a Muslim dating a Christian woman I would like to marry.
 Are there scriptures that support /disprove interfaith Marriages?"
 - Omair

Dear Respected Clergy:

I am a Muslim man and have had the honor of getting to know a particular Christian woman. We have been contemplating marriage and while it's confusing for both of us, I wanted to ask if there are any scriptures that support/disprove of interfaith marriages. - Omair

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Dear Omair,

Thank you for your respectful and important question.  I am sure that if we looked hard enough we could find Scriptures in our respective Holy Books which may address this issue.  Some of our laws in these books are written from within a cultural and historical perspective and while we believe that they have the hand of God on them they also have a human hand on them.

This hand is sometimes concerned with tribal survival rather than with God's greater purposes.  Our Bible for instance reveals the story of a people as they grew in their understanding of God's ways.  We believe we needed Jesus to complete the picture as the people of the Book discovered God's purposes as they journeyed.

I would like then to offer you another perspective from the teaching of Jesus:  Jesus gave his life for the unity of all peoples.  He points out through his teaching and through his actions that God is love and that this love excludes no one.  His great prayer at the Last Supper was for the unity of people: "Father may they be one as I am in you and You are in me" 

Any love which creates, enhances and enables such unity would therefore be of God.

As religious people we can tend to worship our religion and our Holy Books rather than the one true God, and we can take our differences far too seriously, hence much of the sadness, violence and fear we have occasioned in each other through the centuries.

If we discover a common faith that God is Love, then nothing should be allowed to divide us and our love could grow to be a prophetic and graced blessing to all who come to know us.  

A marriage such as you are contemplating will take a certain courage, given our cultures and their respective fears about each other. There would be undoubtedly a special challenge for you both in this regard.  If you love each other with true respect for the personal freedom for each of you to walk your own path of faith, then such a marriage could become a healing gift in a world so bruised and broken by prejudice and fear. 

I am not aware of any texts in the Bible that address your question directly. I am aware that God is Love and that we live on one tiny planet and that it would be in everyone's best interests if we stopped allowing our differences to divide us, and rather begin discovering the riches of God's grace revealed through each of our traditions.  Every Blessing. -  Father Kevin

FATHER WILLIAM G. MENZEL

"Why is it okay to purchase meat at the cost of animals who
clearly experience pain, stress, and sadness? - Mark

CatholicView Priest Staff:
 
 I know very well that both Paul and Peter sanction the eating of meat. But nevertheless, I am often grieved to tears at the suffering we put animals through for our own pleasure.

In Biblical times, these meats were probably needed to survive. We can survive just fine without them in modern society. The only reason, barring medical cases, that a person eats meat is for pleasures of the flesh. Thanking God for it, though we could just as easily thank him for soy based protein meals.

I don't want to be wise in my own eyes. I know God is right.  But why can't someone explain why it's okay to purchase greedy, bodily pleasures at the cost of suffering and death from animals who clearly experience pain, stress, and sadness?  It's sometimes unbearable for me, the suffering.  - Mark

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Dear Mark,

Since I answered a somewhat similar question about a year ago, in my answer to you I will quote at length from what I wrote back then. I'm not going to use quotation marks, but I just wanted you (and perhaps other readers) to know that I'm doing this. I also want you to know I'm assuming that you are a vegetarian, although that assumption is not really central to my answer.

Yours is an interesting question, and it highlights some of my own conflicts with regard to how we humans treat animals. While I will gladly and vengefully swat a mosquito to death, I feel bad about killing a mouse that has wandered where it shouldn't. I eat a good steak with gusto and will continue to do so, but I really don't care much for zoos, because I feel sorry for the animals that have been taken out of their natural habitat to educate or amuse me.

There really are a couple of layers to your question, so I will try to peel them back in my answer:

The first layer has to do with the religious question with which Peter and Paul were dealing when they sanctioned the eating of meat. This really wasn't so much about eating meat as it was about eating certain kinds of meat. Essentially they were teaching those earliest Christians that the dietary restrictions of the Mosaic Law no longer applied, that there was no such thing as an “unclean” animal. Christians could eat any kind of meat, although they did add that they should avoid meat from strangled animals and that which came from animals sacrificed in pagan rituals. Underlying all of this, of course, is the apostles' assumption that there is nothing wrong with eating animal meat. Vegetarianism would, I think, have been a very odd concept to those earliest Christians.

The next layer has more to do with human attitudes towards animals. I am constantly intrigued by how widely these attitudes vary, as well as how these attitudes are affected by what kind of animal is involved. For example, here in Wisconsin where I live, deer hunting is a great adventure for many people. They will kill a deer with much excitement, but if they go home and learn that their pet dog has died, they will burst into tears. I understand the difference between a wild animal and a pet, but still...

A priest friend of mine taught a high school psychology class years ago, and in his studies he concluded that what appear to us as pain, stress and sadness in animals is really an instinctive response experienced at a very low level of consciousness. It's kind of like us humans. As infants and toddlers we experience and exhibit the immediate effects of all sorts of pain, stress and sadness, but we experience it at such a low level of self-awareness that we have no lasting memory of it. So in spite of how it looks, I rather doubt that animals experience these things in the same way that we do.

Then there is nature itself. Alfred Lord Tennyson in his lengthy poem In Memoriam A. H. H. contrasts Christian love and the apparent callousness of nature, at one point using the phrase “nature red in tooth and claw”. His point is that nature itself is cruel to animals. That is something that humanity has always noticed. It's the whole food chain phenomenon: the big and aggressive eat the small and meek. Frogs eat flies, fish and loons eat frogs, and eagles eat fish. Lambs eat grass and lions eat lambs. In light of this, it is rather understandable for humans to ask, if animals can eat animals, why can't we?

I often wonder, too, if we aren't supposed to kill animals, where do we draw the line? Is it all right for me to kill that mosquito--or a fly? How about that mouse. (I once killed a mouse, and in its dying moments it looked up at me with a most pitiable expression that made me feel terrible.) Can we only kill animals that annoy us, or...what? Again...just where do we draw the line?

While the humane treatment of animals and a profound respect for the earth and all of God's creation must be part of our Christian living, God's commandments are specifically directed towards our relationship with him and with our fellow human beings. I think this implies—from God's perspective—that there is huge difference between us and animals. We may share the same world. We may compete for some of the same resources. We may, as mammals, be biologically similar to other mammals. Still, we are profoundly different. That's the way God made it. As to why it is this way, I do not know.

The last layer of my answer, Mark, has to do with your assertion that those of us who enjoy a good steak are greedy and pleasure-seeking. That is a rather sweeping indictment of much of humanity, frankly. From a religious perspective, God has never told us that we cannot eat meat, and he has never told us that we could not take pleasure in what we eat. I'm sorry that the killing of animals for use as human food makes you sad, but we too are part of nature's food chain. It seems that that's the way God made the world, and this is where we live.

I think I can assume that you and other vegetarians will find my answer wanting, and I understand that. The reality is that there are many puzzles in life, and some of the ways of God fall into that category—not to mention the ways of people.

Thanks for a great question, Mark. I admire your vegetarianism, even if I don't choose to imitate it.  May God bless you.- Father Bill  

"As a Protestant I believe you have to ask Jesus for
forgiveness.  Do Catholics believe this way? - Faron
 

Father Bill:

I've grown up Protestant and believe you have to ask Jesus for forgiveness of sins and believe in Him to be my Savior..  Do Catholics believe this way. Why or why not? - Faron

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Dear Faron,

I have to admit that sometimes I'm really tempted to give just a simple one-sentence answer, and this is one of those times. I will, but I won't.

The simple one-sentence answer: Yes, this is essentially what Catholics believe. 

I think that only the word “essentially” needs a little further explanation.  Catholics would probably phrase the belief in a somewhat different way than you do.  For example, I would be more likely to say that we ask God for forgiveness, and that we believe that God's forgiveness is mediated through Jesus Christ, whom we believe to be humanity's Savior.

I'm not sure if there is more implied in your question. If there is, please write back.  May God bless you, Faron.  -  Father Bill

"North Korea threats have me scared.  I have missed mass
and sinned and my going to heaven is slim.  What can I
do?" - David

Father Bill:

I don't know what I should do. This whole North Korea news really has me scared and thinking about my life. I know it might be a dumb reason since it might not happen but it scares me. I haven't confessed or have gone to church in a long time and have sinned a great deal. I know it's my own fault but what to do and the thought of how God sees me scares me and I find the idea of me going to heaven is slim. What can I do? -  David

 ________________________________________________________

Dear David:

I can tell you how God sees you.  He sees you with love—a more powerful, all-embracing love than you can possibly imagine.  That's how God sees you.

In fact, I think that God loves you so much that he's using your admittedly irrational fear as a way of calling you back into his embrace. 

Come home, David.  Find a priest to whom you can confess your sins and receive forgiveness.  As it says over and over in the Bible, “Be not afraid.”  May God bless you, David.  -  Father Bill

PRIEST STAFF

"Other Christians say that our Catholicism is incorrect and of Satan. 
How can I give a sound answer to others?" - Greg 

Hello Fathers,

I am having a discussion with other Christians who are saying that the teachings of Catholicism are incorrect, and are of Satan from a single line found in the Catechism. I have searched to see what they are talking about and have come across lines of the argument, it states, Paragraph 460 "460 The Word became flesh to make us "partakers of the divine nature":78 "For this is why the Word became man, and the Son of God became the Son of man: so that man, by entering into communion with the Word and thus receiving divine Sonship, might become a Son of God.  "79 "For the Son of God became man so that we might become God."  80 "The only-begotten Son of God, wanting to make us sharers in His divinity, assumed our nature, so that he, made man, might make men gods.  "81  From St. Atanasius -  Can you help me understand this, so that I may give a sound answer to the others?  Thank you very much for the help! - Greg

 _______________________________________________

Greg:

Your friends do not have much depth in their understanding of the mystery of the Incarnation, or Jesus, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, becoming human. The verse quoted to you is from a bigger context that the Catechism of the Catholic Church is trying to answer: what is the nature of humankind?  Our nature as human beings has a divine origin, a divine dignity, that comes from how God made us all as seen in the scriptural account of creation in Genesis Chapter 1, Verses 27-31: God created man in His Image, in the divine image He created him, male and female He created them.....God looked at everything He had made and found it very good.  

When Adam and Eve sinned (original sin as it is called), that sinful event broke the relationship that human beings had with their Creator God and blinded humankind to their divine dignity and their innate goodness.  So humankind began to seek their divine dignity in other things and created false gods that had no existence and efficacy to replace what was lost.  It was all spiritually futile.  No matter what humankind tried to do, it took Jesus Christ, God, to come back to give us sight and insight, to actually give us back our divine dignity, our divine Sonship that was rightfully ours from the beginning. In the New Testament, the first letter of John (I John), Chapter 3 so clearly states this most obvious point: Jesus by becoming human gave us our divine dignity back that was lost to sin: "See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called children of God. Yet so we are.  The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Beloved, we are God's children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed.  We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. "

Notice what the letter writer, John, says in this particular scripture text: "We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is."  That's our original call and that is our inborn nature, and my faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior opens my eyes to my innate nature, a divine nature, that gives me confidence in all things.  We shall be like God!  That is what John is saying!  And that is what Saint Anathasius is saying in his quote from the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Saint Anathasius is simply repeating this verse from the first letter of John in the New Testament.  So, how is this quote from Anathasius not biblical and in error?  How is it , as your friends say, satanic?  When Saint Anathasius was writing this during the 320-347 A.D. period, and participated in the Council of Nicea that established the canon of the New Testament as we know it today, he was clearly writing to his people in Alexandra, Egypt, and to the whole Church, when he wrote these words affirming our divine nature.  Jesus by taking on human flesh raised our humanity to the divine.  Anathasius was also writing to people who lived with people around them that believed in a variety of false gods. By Anathasius saying that "that He, made man, might make men gods" was merely saying what Saint John said and, in one stroke of Anathasius' pen, put down all false gods a being nothing as compared to a human person like you and me, made in the image of God.  Saint Paul says the same thing in another way in I Corinthians, Chapter 3, Verse 16: "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God, which you are, is holy."  There you have it.  We are sons and daughters of God, made in His image, we are temples, we are holy, and we shall be like Him.  That insight was lost by original sin and restored in Jesus Christ. Because we have a divine dignity (we are literally images of God), we are like God in all things except sin: creative, life-giving, free will, holy, shapers of our own destiny, as Saint Paul writes in I Corinthians, Chapter 3, Verse 21: "So let no one boast about human beings, for EVERYTHING belongs to you. Paul or Apollos or Kephas, or the world or life or death, or the present or the future; all belong to you, and you to Christ, and Christ to God."  When Jesus saves, He saves EVERYTHING. And if I may add, if we really believe in our divine dignity (and nature) and in God, all things are possible and there would be no need for sin and human weakness on my part.  For knowing and accepting my true divine dignity given to me by God at my conception, I would not despair, nor have confidence issues, nor have doubts.  As a side, the Catholic Church, founded by Jesus Christ on the apostles, the historical Church breathed into existence by Jesus Himself, His body of earth (see I Corinthians 12:27 - "Now you are Christ's body and individually parts of it", has never taught anything as defined doctrine that is evil or out of step with the scriptures (which the Catholic Church put together during the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D.). As Jesus told Peter himself in Matthew Chapter 16, Verse 16: "You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church. and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."  Jesus made to His Church, the historical Church, His Body on earth, a promise that hell, the netherworld, nor anything evil will ever prevail against the Church. Be assured of that promise of Christ in dealing with others who have no respect for our Christian and ancient faith. I have included that whole paragraph from the Catechism of the Catholic Church that you asked about so that you could see and all who read this answer can see the context of Saint Anathasius' words and be amazed by the love and power of God for us his children made in His image:

I. Why Did the Word Become Flesh?

456 With the Nicene Creed, we answer by confessing: “For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit, he became incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and was made man.”

457 The Word became flesh for us in order to save us by reconciling us with God, who “loved us and sent his Son to be the expiation for our sins”: “the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world,” and “he was revealed to take away sins”:⁷⁰ (607, 385)
Sick, our nature demanded to be healed; fallen, to be raised up; dead, to rise again. We had lost the possession of the good; it was necessary for it to be given back to us. Closed in the darkness, it was necessary to bring us the light; captives, we awaited a Savior; prisoners, help; slaves, a liberator. Are these things minor or insignificant? Did they not move God to descend to human nature and visit it, since humanity was in so miserable and unhappy a state? ⁷¹

458 The Word became flesh so that thus we might know God’s love: “In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.”⁷² “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”⁷³ (219)

459 The Word became flesh to be our model of holiness: “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me.” “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.”⁷⁴ On the mountain of the Transfiguration, the Father commands: “Listen to him!”⁷⁵ Jesus is the model for the Beatitudes and the norm of the new law: “Love one another as I have loved you.”⁷⁶ This love implies an effective offering of oneself, after his example.⁷⁷ (520, 823, 2012, 1717, 1965)

460 The Word became flesh to make us “partakers of the divine nature”:⁷⁸  “For this is why the Word became man, and the Son of God became the Son of man: so that man, by entering into communion with the Word and thus receiving divine sonship, might become a son of God.”⁷⁹ “For the Son of God became man so that we might become God.”⁸⁰ “The only–begotten Son of God, wanting to make us sharers in his divinity, assumed our nature, so that he, made man, might make men gods.”⁸¹ (1265, 1391, 1988) 

This answer makes clear the basis of what you asked.  God go with you always.  - CatholicView Priest Staff

"I am under severe demonic attack.  What do I have
to do when Satan attacks?" - Creigh

 CatholicView Priest Staff:

I live my life as a free spirit (pagan). The reason for this is because every time the Lord calls on me and I reach out to Him, I am under severe demonic attack.  Night terrors, demonic attacks, fear, suicidal thoughts, and depression.  When I turn to anything but Christianity it stops.  What is the devil afraid of?  I want to be with God.  I've prayed, been baptized, you name it.  What do I have to do? - Creigh

_______________________________________________

Creigh:

I am concerned that you are feeling such demonic attacks when you approach Christianity, the acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior as the guarantee of your salvation and freedom from death, as well as the acceptance of being a disciple of Jesus by your accepting of biblical discipline (a way of life). You ask what the devil is afraid of: he is afraid of Jesus and the eventual destruction of the devil's power over individuals and their immoral choices that will come at the end of time. There is an old saying, "Misery loves company." The devil is eternally miserable and he wants as many as possible to share in his misery. On your part, when you turn to Jesus for your faith foundation, you must not only accept Jesus in your life, you must pray every time you are having these demonic attacks:

"I am covered in the Blood of Christ and nothing can harm me."  

Say that prayer over and over again and the angels of the Lord will surround you with a protective shield against demonic attacks.  In the name of Jesus, heavenly Father, send your Spirit of protection upon your child!"   Go forward with the peace of God, knowing that God is stronger that Satan.  - CatholicView Priest Staff

"I want to kill myself.  What prayers can I say to maximize
my odds of being forgiven? - Joshua

CatholicView Priest Staff:

I'm thinking about killing myself. What prayers or preparation should I perform to maximize my odds of being forgiven? Is there any last ditch appeal for mercy I can say to mitigate my punishment at least a little bit? - Joshua

________________________________ 

Joshua: 

You ask what you can do to mitigate your punishment of taking your life?  Yes, there is something you can do: live, and live your life to the fullest.  You cannot take your life for doing so is literally a slap to the face of God.  God gave you your life for a reason.  You are part of His Plan to make the world a better place.  To cut your life short through killing yourself is literally short-circuiting God's Plan and Will for the world at this time and place, a Plan that you are an integral part.  You are under great pressure, anxiety and sadness.  Please, do not frustrate God's Plan and Will for you and all those around you. Right now, you are blinded by your sense of being lost.  Your life is not only about you.  It is about all of us as well.  Taking your life is probably one of the most selfish things you can do.  It is time to seek some kind of help now.  Please look at this web site right now: http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ Call the number.  Talk to someone there.  If you think life is bad now, if you take that step to take your life, you know that the afterlife will be worse, not the escape you imagine it would be.  So, why do that?  Live now.  Be now.  Live only in the present and not in the past or live in fear of the future that has not happened.  Live.  That is the ONLY way to mitigate any punishment in the afterlife.  We will pray that God will strengthen you to go forward. -  CatholicView Priest Staff

"I was divorced twice and was told I am excommunicated. 
Can I ever be a practicing Catholic again? - Mary

CatholicView Priest Staff:

I am divorced and re-married for a year and divorced again. I have so wanted to get back to the church, but was told I am ex-communicated and can never receive communion again. Is this true? Is there any hope I can be a practicing Catholic again? - Mary

 _______________________________________________

Mary:

You are free to come back to your full participation in the sacraments.  Divorce and remarriage is the act that separates you from full communion in the Church.  The cessation of this act brings you back into full communion.   Please, go to confession with your priest and get back on track.  I also pray that you will find your true life partner that God made for you, true love that you hunger for.  By the way, you were never excommunicated by divorcing and re-marrying.  Your relationship with the Church became broken but you were never excommunicated.  When you find your true love, please begin the annulment process of your first marriage.  Welcome home, and get back to communion! - CatholicView Priest Staff

"I cursed God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit and
renounced Christianity. Can I be forgiven?" - Jason

 

CatholicView Priest Staff:

I began doubting God, then I turned my back on Jesus. I cursed Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit. I also renounce being a Christian. This was done by me in private and not in front of anyone.  I wish to repent. I fear that because the bible says that cursing the Holy Spirit is the unforgivable sin that I am destined for hell. I want to go to heaven and get back to being a Christian. Can I be forgiven? My fear is with my OCD that whatever the answer is I will not be able to forgive myself. - Jason

 ______________________________________________

Jason:

OCD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, is an emotional, spiritual, and even physical burden that some have to work with all their lives.  I hope that you are in therapy and taking the medication that would help you get control over this great life burden.  Because God knows all things, and He certainly knows your heart better than you know yourself, He understands your particular emotional and mental burden, a burden that is beyond your control at this time.  The fact that you are seeking God and even asking the question of getting back to be a full time Christian means that you have NOT committed the only unforgivable sin mentioned in the bible, the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:31-32). The blasphemy (cursing) against the Holy Spirit is a LIFE-LONG act that ends with the total, absolute rejection of God, of His mercy, and His love.  The blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is an act that must be made with a clear and unburdened mind. At this time, you are not able to commit this unforgivable sin as long as you seek the Lord and His consolation and healing. For those who do commit this sin, these blasphemers of the Holy Spirit don't care what God thinks or wants of them. For these lost souls, God is nothing to them and they live their lives accordingly.  If you indeed committed the unforgivable of sin, you wouldn't be writing to CatholicView and asking this very question which shows that no matter what tricks your mind plays on you, you are still a person of faith!  Go with courage and faith knowing the you are much loved by Jesus Christ Who love and knows your heart. - CatholicView Priest Staff

"I am Catholic.  My parents are divorced and my father wants to
marry again.  Can I become an online minister and marry them?
 - Adam

Good evening:

My name is Adam.  I was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic Church. My family has been Catholic forever.   As I've gotten older I haven't attended mass as often as I should, but I do pray and speak frequently to God.  My Mother and Father divorced 6 years ago now and I am aware that unless they were to seek an annulment they could never marry in the Church again.  My Father has had a long term relationship with a woman (also raised  Catholic and divorced) and they plan on getting married next year.  I was asked to be his best man and I have accepted.  Even though they are both Catholics and both divorced, they can only and only want to do a simple ceremony at a restaurant/inn/chapel facility here in Toronto.

Here are my questions:  I have heard that people can become ordained ministers online or through a course at some institutions. It seems not very difficult. It was actually suggested due to my outgoing personality and speaking abilities that perhaps I could marry my father and his fiancée.  I didn't think of it at first, but lately I do think it would be a sweet gesture.  Would this in anyway jeopardize my Catholicism or my faith?  Would this be wrong or bad?  I am 28 years old and have thought that once I am to have children and my work life is on a steady path that I would like to investigate becoming a Deacon.  Would being an ordained minister in the "past" effect my ability to become a Deacon in the future?  Thank you for your help. This is something new to me, but I appreciate your advice.  Regards, - Adam

 _______________________________________________

Adam:

Yes, being an ordained minister of another faith community, religion, sect would inhibit the process to be a deacon in the Catholic Church.  By allowing yourself to be ordained a minister of another church/religious body, you are saying by this act that you are a member of this particular religion and TOTALLY breaking your relationship with the church.  Such a "sweet gesture" would actually be an act of excommunication from the Catholic Church.  On the other hand, if you become a civil (state) presider at civil marriages, you would not become a minister of another religion but a legal representative of the state, on the similar level as a firefighter, law enforcement, judge of the court. Many Catholics hold this position because of their occupation in government.  You could become a public notary and an official presider of marriages by making application to your local county public registrar.  This civil role as a civil presider of marriages involves no pay from the county.  This would be the ONLY accepted option if you desire to preside at a wedding involving either or both of your parents.  Hope this helps.  - CatholicView Priest Staff

"Can you identify my Saint Benedict Pendant? 
Thanks! - William

 

CatholicView Priest Staff:

I don't often find myself with no answer to things in the Catholic nature but this one has both google and myself stumped.

I recently came into possession of a Saint Benedict exorcism pendant. I think it is old. I have several others similar from the late 1800s and this one... well it does not look familiar.

It is the size and shape of a penny. Yellow color. Copper or brass in tone really. Has the image of Benedict on the from and the cross on back with the familar vertical C S M L... however this one has CASSINO across it horizontally instead of the rest of the inscription. Referring obviously to Monte Cassino. Unsure of why this one is so different. - William

___________________________________________

William:

The Saint Benedict Medal has always been a symbol of our faith in Jesus Christ and His power to save all from evil and death.  

The medal has its origins in the 11th century, a long time ago. The medal you have is probably different in only that it is a souvenir directly from Monte Cassino, the first Benedictine monastery and headquarters of the Benedictine Order.

                                                      

"I am a Registered nurse for Hospice  patients.  How should I
pray for the dying if the priest cannot arrive in time? - John

Priest Staff:

I am a Registered Nurse and as such I work with a large number of Hospice patients.  The local parishes here in Denver are wonderful at scheduling visits by Priests for these patients when the time comes for Last Rites.  Occasionally, however, a patient's passing will come sooner than expected.  I know Laity cannot perform Last Rites, therefore I am looking for suggestions on scripture that I, as a lay person may read to/for my patients on these rare and solemn occasions.  Thank you in advance for your suggestions. - John

 ____________________________________________

John:

You are a special person because your work helps people go to the Lord in peace and that they feel not alone in their journey to eternal life.  May the Lord bless you in all that you do and may your heart be filled with peace and joy!  Even though only a priest or bishop can administer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick (Extreme Unction or Last Rites), you could pray with a person and read scriptures during this time of transition.  Thank you for what you do!  You are truly an "angel."  You could also pray from your heart!  There is no need for formal prayers at this time.  Just hold a person's hand and pray to God from your inner being.  Please see this link for some prayers.

http://www.prayerbook.com/Prayers/Death/death.htm

And here are some scripture references for you:

Short Texts

One or more of the following short texts may be recited with the dying person. If necessary, they may be softly repeated two or three times:

Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Romans 8:35

Whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.  Romans 14:8

We have an everlasting home in heaven.  2 Corinthians 5:1

We shall be with the Lord for ever.  1 Thessalonians 4:17

We shall see God as He really is.  1 John 3:2

We have passed from death to life because we love each other.  1 John 3:14

To you, Lord, I lift up my soul.  Psalm 25:1

The Lord is my light and my salvation.  Psalm 27:1

I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  Psalm 27:13

My soul thirsts for the living God.  Psalm 42:2

Though I walk in the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.  Psalm 23:4

"In my Father's home there are many dwelling places," says the Lord Jesus.  John 14:2

"Come, blessed of my Father," says the Lord Jesus, "and take possession of the kingdom prepared for you."  Matthew 25:33

The Lord Jesus says, "Today you will be with me in paradise."  Luke 23:43

The Lord Jesus says, "I go to prepare a place for you, and I will come again to take you to myself."  John 14:2-3

"I desire that where I am, they also may be with me," says the Lord Jesus.  John 17:24

"Everyone who believes in the Son has eternal life" says the Lord Jesus.  John 6:40

Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. Psalm 31:5

Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.  Acts 7:59

Holy Mary, pray for me.

Saint Joseph, pray for me.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, assist me in my last agony.

I hope this helps you.  - CatholicView Priest Staff

"I want to be married by my fiancé's Lutheran Pastor in
 an outdoor service.  Can I do this?" - Pamela

CatholicView Priest Staff:

I am Catholic. My fiancé is Lutheran. May I be married by his Pastor at an outdoor service? We are older, there will be no children.  Pamela

 ________________________________________________

Pamela: 

If your fiancé has such an antagonistic feeling against the Catholic Church that he doesn't want to be married in the Church, then an arrangement could be made that the Church would recognize your marriage by a Lutheran pastor as valid and sacramental in the Church through an application of a "lack of form" dispensation. This can be accomplished by visiting your local priest or deacon and you would prepare yourselves as if you are marrying in the Catholic Church. Otherwise, your marriage outside of the Church would not be recognized as a sacramental and valid sacrament. - CatholicView  Priest Staff

 
"I have been living a homosexual life.  Can I still become a priest
and use my experiences to help others. - Wayne
 

CatholicView Priest Staff:

I have this spiritual pulling to looking into the Priesthood. However, I have been living a homosexual life and willing to live a chaste life. Can I still become a Priest and use my experiences to help others? - Wayne

 __________________________________________________

Wayne:

As you stated, living a chaste and celibate life would be demanded of any candidate for the ordained priesthood.  The Church is looking for healthy, stable, mentally, emotional, spiritual mature men who can be faithful throughout their lives to the Church and to God.  Sexual orientation is not an impediment to ordination.  But sexual immaturity is an impediment to ordination to any of the Holy Orders (deacon, priest, bishop). Yes, you can be ordained to the priesthood, but I am concerned that you are sexually active now without any responsibility and without any concern about sins against Christian chastity and morality.  This shows that you are not yet sexually mature enough to be a priest.  That is why Pope Benedict XVI wrote this document to answer questions as to the homosexual orientation of a candidate for priesthood. It is stated in this document that such candidates must be chaste and celibate for at least three years before they can be considered for entrance into the seminary to study for the priesthood.  I would suggest that you get back into a sexual moral life.  Homosexuality is not the problem.  Your decision and acts to live a sexual active life without any kind of permanence and responsibility is a problem that will impede your desire to be a priest.  And that goes for heterosexual candidates as well!

( http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccatheduc/documents/rc_con_ccatheduc_doc_20051104_istruzione_en.html)

 May the Lord be with you. - CatholicView Priest Staff"

"I was divorced and remarried, both civilly.  How can
I return to the Catholic Church?" - Aimee

CatholicView Priest Staff:

Hi. When I was 19 I married my first husband in a civil ceremony. Only a short time into the marriage, he divorced me, leaving myself and our son. Having been raised Catholic, I knew that the divorce was considered sin, and I never returned to the church. I have since remarried in another civil ceremony (by that, I mean that it was not a religious ceremony, justice of the peace) and have been married to my husband for years.  My question is whether I have any path back into the catholic church, a path that allows me to participate fully, receive communion, etc. I have tried other churches, but I guess deep down I am too catholic at heart to move to a protestant church. LOL. - Aimee

___________________________________________________

Aimee:

I want to clear up a mistaken notion that a few people have concerning divorce. Divorce is not a sin. Let me repeat that clearly. Divorce is not a sin. It never was. Let's see what Jesus says about divorce in Matthew, Chapter 19, Verse 9: I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) and MARRIES another commits adultery. Notice that Jesus says clearly that anyone who divorces and MARRIES another commits adultery and therefore remains in a state of adultery until this situation is fixed. Divorce DOES NOT break anyone's relationship with the Church. It is the REMARRYING part that is the problem. When you divorced, no sin was committed though divorce is always a painful, sad, and emotionally draining experience that demands healing from the God of love Himself. When you married outside the Catholic Church, the Church does not recognize your civil marriage as a sacramental (valid) marriage. So, when you divorced that first civil marriage, you returned to a single state and were free to participate fully in the life of the Church and participate in all the sacraments. When you married again civilly, you entered a relationship that the Church did not recognize. But once you ask the Church to recognize and validate your present marriage, you will once again come back to full communion with the Church. All you have to do is talk with your parish priest or deacon and make arrangements to have your present marriage solemnized in the Church. It is a relatively simple procedure. You will have to show that your first marriage was NOT solemnized in the Church and you have to show the final decree of divorce. The rest is simple! Welcome back to full communion with the Church! I am happy for you!  - CatholicView Priest Staff

"Popular Polls say 98% of Catholic women practice birth control.
 Are these women committing mortal sins? - Lori

Priest Staff:

According to popular polls, 98% of Catholic women practice birth control. Are all of these women committing mortal sins and offending God by receiving communion on Sundays with this sin on thier souls. With this high %, why do we not hear about it more from the pulpit? - Lori

 ________________________________________________

Lori: 

First, I would disagree with these polls that attack our Catholic teachings. These numbers are not statistically correct. Second, I cannot judge anyone's life when they come for communion. That is up to the person's conscience and their relationship with God and Jesus Christ. The Church's teaching is that positive sexual morality is practiced in a life-long relationship called marriage, a sexual relationship that unites two souls into one and is open to the procreation of children. All those that indulge in sexual relationships outside of marriage are committing grave sin. I cannot speak for other priests nor can I speak to your particular situation at your parish. When the time is appropriate according to the reading at Mass, or in bible studies and adult education series, I speak quite openly and clearly about such topics. -  CatholicView Priest Staff
 

CATHOLICVIEW STAFF

"I used birth control 20 years ago and I don't think I confessed
this sin.  Will this be my condemnation?" - Harry
 

CatholicView Staff:

I have been an actively practicing Catholic for the last 14 years. I used birth control 20 years ago. I don't think I confessed this sin, but I didn't knowingly conceal it. What should I do? Will this be my condemnation?
Bless you. -   Harry

_______________________________________________

Harry:

Thank you for writing to CatholicView.  Sins inadvertently forgotten after a careful examination of conscience are included in the absolution.  Because you have now recalled this serious sin and want to rectify it, please mention it in your next confession.

Here is a link that you might find helpful to you:

http://www.catholic.net/index.php?option=dedestaca&id=3426&canal=Catholicism%20101

God is a forgiving God.  He reads your heart and He knows you want to make things right.   Pray, knowing that God in His loving mercy, will grant you grace and forgiveness for any and all past sins.

"My wife is not Catholic and won't attend mass with her young
daughter, our son and myself.  Any ideas on what to do?" - Michael
 

CatholicView Staff:

My wife is not Catholic, but I am. I am raising her 9 year old daughter and my three old son as Catholics. However, I'm a little bummed she won't attend mass with us. Do you have any ideas so we can attend mass as a family? Thank you, I appreciate your time.- Michael

 ___________________________________________________

Michael:

I am sorry to hear that your wife does not want to attend mass with her family.  Is she a member of another church?

None of us can force another to attend mass if they do not want to.  The wonderful thing is that she wants her daughter and son to attend with you.  This is a big step.  As the children grow in the faith, your wife may have a change of heart.  Let us pray that one day she will see her family moving forward in the Lord and will want to become part of this.  God bless you, Michael.    - CatholicView Staff

"I am 35 years old but my parents are forbidding me to date a
wonderful man.  Must I obey them and breakup? - Christine
 

CatholicView Staff:

I am 35 years old. I met a wonderful man and we started to date. I told my parents about him and they forbade me from seeing him and told me that if I continue to do so they would never speak to me again. Must I obey them and breakup? Am I dishonoring my father and mother?

 ______________________________________________________

Christine:

What a blessed thing to honor and cherish your parents.  The Lord is well pleased with this and will bless you abundantly.  However it is time to make your own decisions.  You are a mature woman. 

I humbly suggest that you have a talk with your parents, asking them why they would forbid their grown daughter not to see this man that you care for.  However, sometimes a parent may see something that is not be consistent with your belief in the Lord or is someone they feel is not suitable for you.  Try to understand why they are upset.  Listen to their concerns.  Explain that you appreciate all they have done for you, you love them but it is time for you as a grownup, to decide your future, and make your own choices. Then make your judgment.  If there is something valid in what they say, you will address it, knowing that your parents want the best for you. 

Think about lovingly telling your parents that it is time to let go and allow you to use the knowledge that they instilled in you as you grew up.  May the Lord be with you.  - CatholicView Staff

"We were married civilly two months ago.  Should we
wait until we marry in the Church for a sexual relationship?"
 - Erika
 

CatholicView Staff:

I got married two months ago but we just did civil wedding . We live together and are planning to get married in church(Catholic wedding) in November.

I believe that we should wait to have sex. But I don't know if it's a good decision, I have fear that it's maybe bad for our sexual relationship. - Erika

 _______________________________________________

 Erika:

Congratulations on your marriage!  As you know, the Church doesn't recognize civil marriages so you are correct in that your sexual relationship should be suspended until you arrange to have this taken care of. 

This can easily be remedied however.  Just call your parish priest and make an appointment to have the marriage blessed.  It can be done in the Church by either your priest or your deacon.

May the Lord bless your union. - CatholicView Staff

"Is a Muslim allowed to be godfather to my
child? - Milad

 

CatholicView Staff:

Is a Muslim allowed to be godfather to my child? - Milad:

______________________________________________________ 

Milad:

A Muslim cannot qualify as a godfather.  Canon Law states that potential godparents must be Catholic, have received the Sacraments of Holy Eucharist and confirmation.  One main reason is that a non-Catholic person cannot responsibly help the child in the faith should the need arise, and this is the main role of a godparent.  However, the Church will allow a Christian person to become a witness to the baptism.   

Godparents serve a very special role in the life of the baptized person.  The godparent should be a trustworthy witness of the faith who will help the godchild to move forward in that faith.  Therefore, the parents should choose wisely.  God bless you. - CatholicView Staff

My daughter's ex-husband tells their two sons that Christ is merely
a man hung on a cross.  How should I handle this?" Richard

CatholicView Staff:

My daughter is divorced and was given an annulment.  She has 2 sons who visit their father once a year.  He is a doctor and an avowed atheist.  He recently told my grandsons that Christ is not a God but merely a man hung on a cross. I became livid.   What shall I tell my grandsons? - Richard

__________________________________________________ 

Richard:

Thank you for writing to us.  Yes, this is a heavy burden for your daughter and for you, the grandfather. Thankfully the mother, being the prime caretaker and you as the loving grandfather have a greater chance to show by example the faith you both have in Jesus Christ.  With you both praying and being a living example to her sons, they will have a great opportunity to become a believer in our Lord.  You have the advantage of being with the children, teaching them God's love, and with faithful prayer all will be well.
 
The children's visit with the father once a year cannot change what the children have seen and experienced all year; that their grandfather is living a Christian life and their mother a daily example of belief in Jesus Christ. 

Keep praying that God will touch the children's father too, letting him realize the emptiness in his own life.  Hopefully one day he will change and come to faith.

When your grandchildren are old enough, they will be able to discern truth.  With your prayers and certainly the children's mother's prayers, God will have the final word.  Go in peace.  Let Jesus Christ take care of this.  - CatholicView Staff

"How does one get the gift of faith?" - Alex
 

CatholicView Staff:

Is faith an unconditional gift from God to every person or is it only granted to those who worship him and do good? -  Alex

________________________________________________ 

Alex:

Faith is freely given to all who believe and will accept it.  It is a gift that we receive through the Sacrament of Baptism.   But, faith must be nurtured and fed through constant prayer and belief in our Lord, Jesus Christ.  It is through that gift of faith that we are able to see the invisible in a visible world.  As we read in the Letter to the Hebrews, "Only faith can guarantee the blessings that we hope for, or prove the existence of the realities that at present remain unseen" (Hebrews 11: 1).

We become as children with an immense trust in God, experiencing a living faith in every area of our lives.  We look at the bustling world and see the reality of that precious gift in everything we do, in spite of sadness, distractions, and discouragement this life gives us, for we know that our Savior is with us.

Faith is never forced upon us; we must want it and realize that we need it.  Jesus stands with His precious gift and waits for us to come and accept it.   Once we receive it, it  grows stronger, rooted in unconditional trust in our Heavenly Father.  We cannot pay for it, because it is a priceless gift paid for by Jesus Christ with His life on a cross.  But we can feed this gift with constant belief and prayer.  - Hope this helps. - CatholicView Staff

"At the Last Rites for my dad my pastor prayed so fast I
couldn't understand him.  Who do I complain to?" - Jan
 

CatholicView Staff:

My dying Dad was given Last Rites by a Priest who went thru the prayers so fast you could not even understand them.  Who do I complain about this disrespect for my Loving Catholic Father?  He is the Pastor of his Church? - Jan

 ___________________________________________________

Jan:

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your father and especially that your pastor did not give the appropriate amount of time with his prayers during the Last Rites for him. 

"My fiancé and I have participated in heavy foreplay.  Do we need
to confess this sin before receiving communion?" - Junge

CatholicView Staff:

My fiancé and I are getting married next year. She is a cradle catholic and I was just recently converted/baptized a few weeks ago. We have been together since high school for about 4 years. We have never had sex. We understand sex before marriage is a sin. However, we have participated in foreplay. To be honest we have done nearly everything but sex. Is foreplay between two people who love each other and are committed to get married a sin? We love each other very much and are very good people. If it is a sin then do we need to go to confession before receiving communion next Sunday? Help! - Junge

_________________________________________________ 

Junge:

The commitments that you speak of can be easily broken because you are indulging in something that will lead you into sin.  The Catholic Church forbids heavy foreplay before marriage because it incites and encourages sexual feelings which could eventually lead to the act itself.   The Church teaches that we must avoid this occasion of sin.  "Doing everything but sex" will lead to sex.  Foreplay or heavy petting should be reserved for marriage.  From what you said, you are engaging in dangerous waters which could lead to fornication as it involves intimate kissing, petting and touching.   Catholic teaching is strict because we must preserve the sanctity of marriage. 

Avoid temptation.  If you cannot control these urges and temptations, you should marry as soon as possible.  Hope this helps.  - CatholicView Staff 

"How does an annulment affect the parent's children?" - Kathryn
 

CatholicView Staff:

If a couple has their marriage annulled, how does that affect the children of that marriage? - Kathryn

 _________________________________________________

Kathryn: 

When a couple get an annulment and there are children from that union, the children are and will always be legitimate.  An annulment does not affect the child's paternity. At the time of the child’s birth, the parents were legally husband and wife.  Because the legitimacy of the child was established at birth, it will always remain so.  Any statement or belief to the contrary that an annulment makes a child illegitimate is incorrect!  To read more visit this link:  http://churchannulment.com/questions_annulment.html .  Thanks for your question.  - CatholicView Staff

"My fiance and I were married by a Justice of the Peace. 
Can we be married by the Church in a garden or chapel?
- David

CatholicView Staff:

I am Catholic and have been confirmed.   My fiancé  ( wedding in July) has been baptized and going to classes for her confirmation. Due to Medical issues we have been married by a justice of the peace (insurance purposes)Can we be married in the church still?  Also to be married in the eyes of the Lord does the ceremony have to take place in a church or is it ok to be married in a garden or chapel? - David

____________________________________________________ 

David:

Yes, you can be married in the Catholic Church.  Having your marriage blessed can easily be remedied.  Just call your parish priest and make an appointment to do so.  It can be done in the Church by either your priest or your deacon.

To get married outside of the Church requires permission from the bishop because Catholic marriage is a holy sacrament and must be performed within a church.  Vows are taken within the church because the presence of Jesus is there and in the Blessed Sacrament.

"Sometimes I feel so alone.  Is it an attempt by Satan
to distract me part of the answer?" - Julia
 

CatholicView Staff:

Despite the many confirmations I have received from God that He does exist and He loves me, many times I feel very alone (even amongst others of like mind), distant, lonely and "orphaned" from others and Christ. I experience guilt and shame as to not want to make eye contact and hold my head down (even with those that love me). Is lack of Contrition, sinfulness or stronger attempt by Satan to distract me part of the answer? God Bless you and many thanks for any relief God might grant me by your answers. Ave Maria.- Julia

 __________________________________________________

Julia:

You, Julia are very special in God's eyes.  There is no need to feel unworthy when you have the Creator looking at you from above, telling you through the Holy Spirit, that He loves you so much, He made sure that you will, one day in the future, come to live with Him.  He did this by sending His Son, Jesus to pay for your entrance.   

Know that you are never, ever alone.  Stand tall!  God is always with you.  When you feel isolated from the Lord, this means you have to keep praying to God and Jesus as often as you can for they hear each and every prayer.  Their love and their grace has carried you this far and will always be as close as a whisper of your prayer. 

You are so loved.  Feel it and believe it.  You are special and beautiful to our Heavenly Father.  Hang in there, knowing that the God Who made you, wants you to believe that you belong to Him.   Satan cannot touch you.  Feel it and believe it...always! - CatholicView Staff

"How does water become holy exactly, What is
the process?" - Katharine
 

CatholicView Staff:

How does water become holy exactly, What is the process? - Katharine

 ________________________________________________________

Katharine:

In the Roman Catholic Church, holy water is water that has been blessed by a priest, bishop, or deacon for the purpose of baptism or for the blessing of persons, objects or places. it is believed that this ritual for consecrating water started around the 3rd Century. 

At the entrances to the Church, holy water is kept in a font and serves as a sacred reminder of the Sacrament of Baptism. - CatholicView Staff

"I am totally opposed to having children. 
Can I have a valid church marriage?"  - Eric

CatholicView Staff:

I'm 49, girlfriend is 32, neither ever married.  I wasn't looking for a relationship, we kinda got together gradually at her wish.  I was not really looking to get married at this point in life.  She definitely wants that.  I am totally opposed to having kids at my age and definitely will not do that.  Can I have a valid marriage in the Catholic Church?

 ____________________________________________________

Eric:

I am sorry to hear that 1) you were not looking for a relationship but it was her wish.  2)  You are not looking for marriage and 3) You do not want children.

All marriages must be open to life to be valid in the Catholic Church.   God created marriage and the marital act to include procreation.  From what you write, you are not open to this.  This is not God's design for you and your wife, should you decide to marry.

If you enter in your marriage after deciding you will not have children, that marriage is considered invalid.  The sacrament of marriage must include an openness to having children. You are not open to this, so this closes the door on your marriage.  In your case you have put your own desires and plans as more important than what God wants.

Please also consider that your wife to be may want children.  Since you are unsure of any responsibility, not only in the relationship but having a family, I can only conclude that you should not get married.  

Why not make an appointment with your parish priest and discuss this matter further with him?  - CatholicView Staff

"I attended Catholic School for 13 years. 
Will I have to attend R.C.I.A?" - John
 

CatholicView Staff:

I am looking to convert to Catholicism. I went to Catholic school for 13 years and studied a lot about Catholicism and its history, and many people told me I wouldn't have to take RCIA classes because of this. Can you tell me how true this is?   - John

 __________________________________

Dear John:

I am pleased to read that you have attended Catholic School and have spent time studying the Catholic Faith.  However, there are facets of study that you may need clarified.   Attending RCIA sessions and discussing as a group with fellow candidates, attending mass every week, and sharing the process of being prepared for the sacraments is special and very important.

As a group, you will share knowledge because you will be part of the Church family, discussing with each other all the life changing things you have been through.  This is the time you will learn new and vital information that will become part of your life.  

Please talk to your parish priest and meet with the director of the RCIA to discuss what is needed top become a full fledged Catholic.

CatholicView welcomes you to our Church family.  May God bless you always.  - CatholicView Staff

"Why do people sin for years then later come to faith?  Is this fair
to us who struggle to live a Christian life for years?" - Tara
 

CatholicView Staff:

My question is about the concept of God's forgiveness. All of the time you hear about people who have life conversions and things where they have made some very bad decisions but have decided to turn their life around. I know that the church teaches that God forgives them and I agree that it should never be too late but what about the rest of us? Those people get to do what they want and have all the fun and then just come back to Jesus. I know that for most of them that is not the intention and that there is probably a lot of hidden pain involved but it just doesn't seem right. I struggle so much to make the right choices and have done so my whole life, but Jesus loves them just as much as me. I am not trying to sound selfish but it is something that has really been on my mind and I don't really understand. Thank you!!

___________________________________________________ 

Tara:

So many people have asked your question.  God loves all of us, sinners or not.  He forgives us when we sin if we are truly sorry and promise not to sin again; even if we ask for that forgiveness with our last breath. 

Some wonder why should they strive to walk on the straight and narrow path to eternity while others do as they like and many, at the last minute, decide to change their lives and follow Jesus.  One day we can ask the Lord for an answer to that one.  But, as Christians we already know the answer; it is because He loves each and every one of us and wants us all to come home to Him.  Those who have been faithful for many years should rejoice when a person accepts the Lord.  Be happy that the Lord has gained another soul for His kingdom. 

Luke 23: 42-43 tells us about one of the two criminals on the cross with Jesus on that fateful day of crucifixion who said:  "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."  And the Lord answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”  This passage is a perfect example of Jesus Christ's forgiveness and love He has for all of us, even for those who sin then repent in their final hours.

Rejoice when others come to Christ.  Be happy that a soul was saved, no matter how they lived before they came to faith and belief.   - CatholicView Staff

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