JUNE 2005
FATHER KEVIN BATES
CATHOLICVIEW STAFF

FATHER KEVIN BATES

Father Kevin:

I have read a question sent to me by my mother concerning statues.  The question I have is where does one draw a line when worshiping statues?  In other words, if it is a sin to worship statues then why do Catholics pray to rosaries and the cross?  Isn’t that the same as worshiping an idol? – Robert

Hi Robert,

First of all let me say that as Catholics we only worship God and God alone.  We do not worship saints, Mary, statues or anything else.  Our worship belongs to God alone - anything else is idolatry.   We use statues, Rosary Beads, the Cross, Icons and other images to remind us of God.  It's a bit like having a family photo-album. 

In our  families, we have photos to remind us of memories, special people, special places, special events, and so on, but they are not the people, the places, the events themselves.  They are simply tools, instruments that remind us of those people, places and events.

Likewise, in the Church, our statues, holy pictures, rosaries etc are just like our photo album - they remind us of the sacred story of the Gospel and the love of God that is revealed there.  We don't worship them at all, but rather we use them to help us find our way to God.  Praying the Rosary for instance, we meditate on the mysteries that are  revealed in the gospel stories.  Our beads, our statues, our pictures are a means to an end, and are certainly not the object of our worship.  Some fundamentalist people accuse us of worshipping these things.  They are quite wrong in this.  To repeat, we worship God and God alone. – Father Kevin

Father Kevin:

I have recently returned to the Church after a long absence. Now when I attend Mass, I get very emotional at communion.  .I am overwhelmed and tear up every week. Could this be the work of the Holy Spirit in my life?  I watch Mass every day and I pray daily too.  How do I know if God hears me?  I am so insignificant.

Thank you for your guidance.  Clare



Hello Clare,

Welcome back to the Church's life.  Your tears are very understandable.  If you are connecting with the gift of the Eucharist, which you are tasting for the first time in a long-while, it is very natural that you should feel quite emotional at this time.  When we encounter unconditional love, and the unconditional love of God that Jesus breaks open for us in the Eucharist, tears are quite a natural response, especially when we are re-discovering this love after a long absence.  The Holy Spirit could well be at work there, along with a very natural feeling of being overwhelmed by God's love.

How do you know if God hears you?  According to Jesus, even the gift of a glass of water will not go without being noticed.  In God's heart, no one is insignificant.  In God's heart, people returning to His love get a very special welcome if we take the gospel stories seriously.  I'm sure God is delighted that you have found your way home again.  Every blessing. – Father Kevin

Father:

My name is Connie and I live in Aurora, CO. My question is why we call out Priest “Fathers”? My oldest is no longer with the Catholic Church. He is always coming over and asking me questions about the Catholic Faith, and I can always answer him, except for this one. I am very proud to be Catholic, as I was born and raised Catholic (44 yrs). I have raised all three of my children in the Catholic faith, but sad to say that they no longer belong to the Catholic Church. Well the question again is, why do we call our Priests “Father”?  Thank you, Connie

Hi Connie,

Thank you for your question.  There is no cut-and-dried answer that I know of to this question.  It is a custom in the Church to refer to a priest as "Father". 

I have been a priest for thirty-three years, and am privileged to have touched the lives of thousands of people.  I have no idea how many really.  Through the gift of priestly ministry I have been privileged to minister the gospel and the sacraments among God's people, and this is a certain kind of fatherhood.  I am conscious of giving life, sustaining life, healing life, retrieving life, comforting, welcoming, celebrating life with people - all things that Fathers do in their families.  It is a metaphor, an image of what a priest is meant to be like I suppose.  He is meant to shepherd, "father" if you like, God's people through his ministry. 

Some people in my experience, (both priests and laity) use the term "Father" to indicate one's status in the community, and then it sounds like a bit of a power trip.

I think its real value is humbler than that.  Its real value occurs when it describes one's relationship as a priest with God's people, a person who dares to wash feet, tend wounds and make communion a reality among people. - Father Kevin


CATHOLICVIEW STAFF

CatholicView Staff:


I eat gelatin for medicinal purposes. Is it wrong to eat it on Fridays, as it is made from animal by-products? - Anneke

Anneke:

Jell-o is not considered a “meat.”   Each diocese has its own Lenten spiritual discipline rules concerning eating meat on Fridays during Lent.  If you are keeping the Lenten disciplines, the spirit of the requirement is that we give up meat as a way to strengthen our souls to say no to sin.  Gelatin, even though made from animal-by-products, does not fit in the definition of meat.   And if you are taking gelatin because of medicinal purposes, then your doctor’s orders for your health and well being supercede the practice of Lenten spiritual disciplines in your situation.   CatholicView Staff

CatholicView Staff:

What should I do in this situation? My husband and I were married in the Catholic church for 20 years.  He left for another woman and has civilly divorced me.  He has yet to even file to see if the marriage was a valid sacrament.  He has been pleading with my son to go on a trip with him and her since "one day they will be married".  My son refuses stating that his conscience will not let him be involved and he feels that he would be a part of the "sin" by condoning it.
 
Several nights ago my son came home upset stating that his father took him to a priest who told him that "the Church has changed through the times.  Just as they had different procedures before, it also has changed with divorced people.  There is nothing wrong with your father having a girlfriend prior to annulment and you should not feel bad in the least by going together on vacation.  I am sure that your father will be on his "best conduct" in front of you".

Nothing like pulling the rug out on everything I have taught my children for years about the permanence and sanctity of marriage!

My son is so confused, upset and does not know what is right anymore.  He trusts my Catholic upbringing of him but said "Mom...it was a PRIEST who said it."  I am at a loss.  First, should I be doing something as far as the priest is concerned and what should I do with my son who is torn?  Thank you. – Karen

Karen:

Your letter really is disturbing because your son shouldn’t have to be forced to go on vacation with his father and “girlfriend.”  Your son’s wishes and his own conscience MUST be respected.  With that said, the priest gave faulty advice to your son concerning why your son should go on vacation with his father and the other woman.  I am sure that the priest only saw what your ex-husband wanted him to see. It is amazing how any of us can leave out details when it suits our agenda.  The priest probably just wanted your son to feel comfortable being with his father on vacation.  But if your ex-husband wanted “father-son bonding time,” he should do it WITHOUT the girlfriend.  You certainly raised your son correctly in believing that the Holy Sacrament of Marriage is permanent and holy.  The Church did not change its teaching about permanence of marriage.  The words of the Lord Jesus in the gospels were not changed either concerning marriage.  I have to say that the priest was wrong in his advice.  But I wonder if he was wrong because he did not know “all the facts” about your marriage with your ex-husband.  You are a great mother!  You have taught your son well.  Please show this answer to your son and tell him not to be confused any longer. - CatholicView Staff

CatholicView Staff:

My faith was getting stronger, I was praying the Rosary daily, then my son got Leukemia: did I tick God off by praying to Mary? - Kris

Dear Kris:

I am sorry to hear that your son was diagnosed with leukemia.  I will pray for his healing and I know that the Lord will take care of everything.   Your son’s leukemia diagnosis is not your fault, nor is it a product of “bad praying” or a punishment for something you or your son did.  Sickness is part of human life, and serious illness is a challenge to depend totally on the Lord. This reminds me of the verse from 2 Corinthians, Chapter 1, Verse 5:  “For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds in Christ.   Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer.”  The Lord did not say that we will not suffer in this life.  Saint Paul did say that our suffering is a sharing in the sufferings of Christ.  And through our own pain and suffering, which is our prayer to the Lord, we will bring others to Christ.   Your son’s illness is for the glory of God, a plan that we cannot see now.  So, let’s pray for your son’s healing and strength.  The Lord will work through your son and others will know of Christ’s message of salvation.  Here is a link to a previous article in CATHOLIC VIEW that attempts to answer why bad things happen.  May I suggest that you read it.  - CatholicView Staff  

Link to:  Is God Really There?

CatholicView Staff:

My husband's uncle is a Catholic Priest who will soon be celebrating the fortieth anniversary of his ordination.  We will attend a mass and party in his honor of the occasion.  Can you recommend an appropriate gift for the occasion, or would it be better to make a donation (where) in his honor?   Thank you. - Ellen

Ellen: 

Well, if I was celebrating my 40th anniversary, I would like a monetary gift.  I could use the money!  I know that it is hard to give a gift to someone who doesn't need much.  But monetary gifts in this situation are always appropriate.  - CatholicView Staff.

CatholicView Staff:

My name is Matt.  I am not a Catholic but I am a Christian.  I am out of places to turn at this point and I would like advice from men who understand faith and our Lord and Savior better than I do.

My sister is 20 years old.  She has one child out of wedlock, and is pregnant by another man again out of wedlock.  She was just kicked out of her home by her live in boyfriend, because she is extremely hard to get along with.  She is mean, hurtful and vindictive.  She does not take any criticism without turning it into a personal attack on the person trying to give her direction.  She does not take care of her child. She is pregnant now and still smokes, threatens to go back and starting smoking weed again during her pregnancy just to harm her child to get back at its father.

She lives with me now, and I cannot do or say a thing about her ways.  I fear for her, and a part of me hates what she has turned into. I can't stand to be in the same room with her, I don’t talk to her, and I don’t love her in the way family loves one another, I am scared to form any emotional attachment to her or her child because I know she will use the baby as a way to manipulate me, which she has already done with our parents and her ex-boyfriend.

I am in a dire situation, the warmth of the Holy Spirit is gone from my home, and I just don’t know what to do to regain that.  I do not want to hate my sister, but I can’t stop myself.

My question is just a plea for advice for the situation, how can I salvage the spirit within my home, and this relationship with my sister?  How far should I press her to change her ways? – Matt

Matt:

I am sorry to hear that your sister is so self-centered and selfish that she does not see how destructive her way of life is for her child and for the family around her.  She cannot think outside her wants and needs for if she did, she would feel guilt about what she is doing to everyone around her and especially her children.

This seems like an impossible situation to resolve.  But as Christians, we believe that anyone can turn to the Lord Jesus and find salvation and forgiveness.   Jesus wants us to forgive forever even to the point of allowing others to take advantage of us.

One of the hardest verses in the New Testament is Jesus' words in Matthew 18: 21-22.  It reads:  “Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?  As many as seven times?"   Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.” 

So, how do you WITNESS to your sister?   Here is my suggestion and if followed through, your sister will either come to Jesus or run away from your house:

1)   Does your congregation have pamphlets about salvation?  Place them on her bed or on her nightstand in the room where she is staying.

2)  Start praying out loud before each meal in your house and invite her to join in. If she doesn't join in (and tells you to be quiet), then just pray out loud by yourself. 

3)  Every morning, in your private time, ask Jesus to drive away all evil or the presence of evil from your house:  Simply say, LORD JESUS, IN YOUR NAME AND BY YOUR BLOOD, DRIVE OUT EVERY EVIL FROM MY HOUSE AND REPLACE IT WITH YOUR SPIRIT OF PEACE.  Soon, she will either give up her selfish and destructive ways or she will leave your house.  If she says to you to stop what you are doing, don't engage in an argument.  Just smile and say Jesus is my personal Lord and Savior and He can save your life, sis.  And say no more and don't engage in any argument. 

4)  Don't be afraid.  Don't be manipulated into stopping your witnessing to your sister. 

5)  Also, you must make rules for your house as well.  Your house must be smoke free and drug-free.  If she doesn't want to accept these rules, then she is free to leave. 

 6) You may even have to call the police to report her illegal drug use.  But all this is necessary to help her stop her destructive ways.  These may be harsh recommendations, but you must take control of your home.  Right now, your sister is in control and her negative and evil actions are filling your home with sadness.  

Please ask Jesus to take control of your home and don't be afraid to confront your sister.  Continue to pray and ask for strength.  If you rely on the mercy and goodness of our Lord, He will help you to help your sister and bring peace to you and your household.

May our Almighty Father, through the blood and intercession of Your Son, Christ Jesus, help you to remain strong in your faith and bring your sister to the realization that her life must change, not only for herself but for her child and her unborn baby.  We will ask God to bring peace to you as well.  God bless you always. - CatholicView Staff

CatholicView Staff:

If racism is a sin, how come in Genesis when Noah's son Ham was cursed his skin turned black?  Does that technically mean Blacks are a cursed race?  - Anonymous

Hello:

Where does the bible state that Cain was “black” or was turned “black?”   The actual bible verse is GENESIS, Chapter 4, Verse 15:  “And the Lord said to him, Therefore, whoever kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.  And the Lord set a MARK on Cain lest anyone finding him should kill him.”  There is no MENTION whatsoever that Cain was turned “black,” just given a marker to distinguish him as Cain.  Racism is a major mortal and destructive sin.  The Lord told us to love our neighbors as ourselves.  Our neighbors are everyone around us.  Christians have no part in any discrimination because of race:   if so, a Christian who is racist is NO CHRISTIAN at all. – CatholicView Staff

CatholicView Staff:

My fiancée and I got married in civil ceremony about 4 months ago due to immigration hardship on my part. We kept this a secret and haven't told anyone.(We never lived together) Is there any way we can still have a regular catholic ceremony without having everybody know that we are already married?  Thanks for you help, we are really stressed about this situation. - Kuqi

Dear Kuqi

Please talk to your parish priest.  You still need to complete the marriage preparation requirements of your parish and diocese.   You will be asking the Lord and the Church to bless your civil wedding (convalidation).  No one needs to know that you are married civilly.  Don’t tell anyone but the priest or deacon who is presiding at your church marriage Mass/ceremony.   – CatholicView Staff

CatholicView Staff:

My aunt just had a baby boy and named him Jeptha.  I was wondering what he did in the Old Testament.  Thanks!!!

Dear Cynthia:

What an interesting name!  The actual biblical name is: JEPHTHAH.  He was a judge in Israel and a leader in the war against the Ammonites.  You can read all about him in the Old Testament:  JUDGES, Chapter 11.  He was a bad guy that turned his life to the Lord and saved Israel from the evil Ammonites. -  CatholicView Staff

CatholicView Staff:

What is the Church's stance on having a romance with several persons at the same time, if there is no sex involved (like non-exclusive dating with romantic kisses on the mouth)? – Lucas

Lucas:

Romance is an interesting word that you use.  It implies a desire for a loving and intimate relationship.  Intimate love is to be shared with one person and not several.  Once “love” is shared with others, then it becomes exploitive lust, selfish, and destructive. You either choose love or you choose exploiting others for your lust.  I want you to know that since “there is no sex involved,” lust is involved.  Exploitation leads to damnation.  Love leads to life.  Choose. – CatholicView Staff

Dear CatholicView:

I am really bugged when someone asks "do you have a vocation to be married?".   Yes, I would like to be married but I haven't found anyone I would like to marry yet (I'm 41). People's next questions is always "well are you circulating or trying?"  Quite frankly, no I don't try.  If someone comes along fine, but I'm not actively going out and looking.  I'm content with myself single too -- either case is fine with me.  But by asking the question about vocation, I feel like it's some kind of duty I have to pursue and I'm just plain irked by people asking this.   What do you think?  Thanks!  - Laura

Laura,

Who cares what anyone thinks?  The only answer you should give to people who ask, “do you have a vocation to be married” is:   I am happy and content with the life God has called me to now.  Simple as that.     I am sorry that the answer is so short and to the point but people have no right to ask you anything personal or invasive.  Be content in God’s love and peace.  He has you in His Hands.  He has called you to live the Christian life to the full right now as you are.  Live for Christ.  No need to explain anything else to anyone.  CatholicView Staff

CatholicView Staff:

 What does the church think of Scientology? - Kelly

 Kelly:

Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to heaven.  That is what makes us Christian.  Ron L. Hubbard, the founder of Scientology, started with the wild idea that we all came from other worlds and that we need our bio-rhythms  fixed through electronic machines.  Scientology did not start off as a religion, but it became one in time after Ron Hubbard died.  God the Father created us through Christ His Son:  we were not created by aliens from other planets.  Salvation was won for us from Jesus’ death and resurrection, not from some sort of strange philosophical construction and certainly not from machines that can supposedly fix things.  Jesus is Lord. Scientology is deception.  CatholicView Staff

CatholicView Staff:

I am a Catholic. My husband is not a Catholic.  We were married by a judge this past week.  May I still receive Communion even though my marriage was not blessed in the Catholic Church? – Rachel

Dear Rachel:

Congratulations on your marriage.  The next step is to have your marriage blessed by the church.    It is relatively easy to do.  You husband doesn’t have to be Catholic to be married in the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.  As a Catholic, church law demands that your marriage be blessed and confirmed before a priest or deacon.  Until that happens, you cannot receive Holy Communion.  So, why wait?  Let’s get this marriage blessed in the church. – CatholicView Staff

CatholicView Staff:

I have a friend in Texas who's daughter is 22 years old and seeking a faith. she has gotten involved with a man her age who was contemplating being a priest but now has fallen for her.  A man who claims to be a monk ( no one knows if he really is a monk) has convinced them that this man is demonically possessed.  Over the weekend the boyfriend jumped on her in her sleep and bit her on her back.  He claims he was under the influence of this demon.  My friend wants desperately to get her daughter away from these people.  There's no proof of anything other than this guy is a nut job.   These people have even convinced the daughter that her mother is the cause of all this and now this child doubts anything her mother says.  I am afraid this guy is going to do more harm to her to prove he is possessed.  Any advice on how to debunk these people so she can get her daughter to a credited clergy will be greatly appreciated.  Thanks for any advice.  G. Esposito

Dear G. Esposito:

 Yours is a very unusual but caring letter.  CatholicView has read it through and can offer you a few options that you as a friend can offer to your friend's daughter.

 Fortunately the daughter is 22 years old so therefore she is an adult and able to press charges for unwarranted behavior or possible rape by the man who once claimed he was seeking the priesthood.  Both the boyfriend and the “monk” you mentioned have not behaved in a Christian way so they are highly suspect.  Not all people who claim that they are clergy or somehow connected with the Church are telling the truth.  Some say such things to manipulate and to deceive.

Your friend’s daughter must remove herself from these unhealthy people who are NOT showing signs of Christianity.  She may be in very serious danger by having these people around and in her life.  If this is continuing she must go to the police and press charges.   AND if she is as you say, seeking a faith, she needs to clean house and rid herself of these detriments so she can be free to pursue that faith.  May the Lord bless you for caring about the people who are close to you. – CatholicView Staff

CatholicView Staff:

I've recently been asked to be a Eucharistic Minister at my parish. I'd love to do this but I don't think I am worthy. About 10 years ago my wife and I were having a rough time with our marriage. I cheated on my wife once and have been a tortured man ever since. Can I be forgiven of this sin? Would I then be able to serve? This has been wearing on me for years but not till I was asked to serve on the altar did it really hit home. I grew up in the sixties in an Italian Catholic Church where I was an altar boy for six years. It's funny how ten minutes can mess up your entire life. – Jim

 Dear Jim:

The actions of the past catch up with us and that is one of the consequences of sin.  However, the Lord calls us to LIVE IN THE PRESENT and not the past.  That you recognize the enormity of your past sin and sought the Holy Sacrament of Confession, you have already reconciled yourself in the eyes of the Almighty Father and the Church.    

Our God is a loving and forgiving God.   Through the crucified Lord Jesus Christ Who has already paid for your sins, you have been forgiven.   That sin was stamped “Paid in Full” by the authority of the blood of Christ.    It is time to move forward.

Please read St. John Chapter 8 about the woman who was caught in adultery and about to be brutally slain by stoning.  Jesus Himself forgave that woman and told her “Go and sin no more”.   This is true today for all of us who have fallen into sin and seek repentance.  

God is pleased that you are involving yourself within the church.  You are a strong and courageous Christian.  Go forward with your life.  Know that the God Who understands the heart loves you and has already forgiven you.  Keep your faith shining for all to see!   In Christ, CatholicView Staff

CatholicView Staff:

In Numbers 31:1-18 is this depicting the wrath of God being poured out on the Midianites or is this describing God directing Moses to commit atrocities? - Dewey 

Dewey:

The Midians were a people who lived in the Sinai Peninsula when the Israelites left Egypt after the escape through the Red Sea.   Some Israelites and the Midians met and some of the Israelites fell into idolatry and the occult.  Moses was angry that his people were being influenced by this false religious worship of gods, demons, and the use of the occult.  The conflict erupted at a place called Peor (Numbers Chapter 31:16) in which many innocent Israelites died as others, under the influence of the Midians, left the Israelite community for promises of a better life than a life in journey to the Promised Land.  In response to the security threat of the Midians to the traveling Israelites, God inspired Moses to attack the Midians and destroy the whole people.  The Israelite Army (with 1000 soldiers from each of the 12 tribes) did as they were told but they also disobeyed the command of the Lord by sparing the women and children as the spoils of war.   Moses was angry and ordered the execution of all women who had sexual relations with their Midian men, but those Midian women who were virgins could stay (Numbers 31:17).   It is clear that the wrath of God was directed against the Midians through Moses and the Israelite Army, and even then, the Army didn't carry out the orders of Moses and the Lord.    We cannot judge this event or    any past Old Testament event by our ethical standards of today.  It was a different time and the Lord "worked" with what He had in the Israelites at that time.  All the Old Testament stories about wars and battles are really a story of the maturing of a people to leave behind such violence and prepare for the coming of the Savior.  It took humankind a LONG time to grow and spiritually mature to this point, and even the, we are still immature, sinful, and lost.  The Bible is a story of the growth (evolution) of humankind to receive the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ.  Today, hopefully, we would handle things differently.  But we are all sinful yet God continues to work with what He has.   That's amazing grace!  God bless.  CatholicView Staff

CatholicView Staff:

 Last Sunday a friend went to mass with me.  Before we went he asked me if we had closed communion.  I said all Catholic communions are closed to non Catholic.  He told me that he is a "A Saved Again Christian” and had been Baptized.  He also told me that the priest in his sister’s church has allowed him to take communion.  I doubt this but I said that I didn’t think he was supposed to do this.  There was no other discussion.   When I got up to take communion he followed me.  I said nothing because to say something and make a scene at that time would not have been good.  In fact I was so shocked that I didn’t say anything at all.  What I am asking you is what should I have said?  - Ann

 Dear Ann:

 What you did (staying quiet) was the proper and appropriate decision at the time.  You already talked to your friend about it therefore the burden of deciding to receive communion was his responsibility and not yours!  You already did your part!    - CatholicView Staff

 

 CatholicView Staff:

 My family and I are considering converting to the Catholic faith. We have been active in the United Methodist Church for many years. How long is the RCIA process for those that have been active members of other faiths?

Dear Mark:

The R.C.I.A. is primarily a journey of faith.   It is the Church's way of ministering sensitively to those who seek membership. For that reason, some people will need more time than others to prepare for the lifetime commitment that comes with membership in the Catholic Church. The usual length of preparation is from one to two years.

For those already baptized and who seek full communion in the Catholic Church, the time may vary as well as your initiation.  It seems reasonable that catechumens or candidates experience the yearly calendar of Catholic practices at least one time around before they are initiated. The process of spiritual renewal and catechesis should not be hasty, especially for those not accustomed to the feasts and seasons, rites and fasts the way Catholics observe them.

Please consult with your parish priest for more complete details concerning your particular situation.    Here is a link that may prove helpful.     http://www.sthyacinthchurch.org/RCIA.htm  God bless you on your journey of faith.  - CatholicView Staff

 

CatholicView Staff:

What is the Catholic church's stance on homosexuality and individuals who are homosexual?   Thanks. – John

Dear John:

The Second Edition of Understanding Catholicism   reads “For the most part, the Church has taken the position of “love the sinner, hate the sin” toward homosexuality.  According to Church beliefs, to be a homosexual is not in itself sinful, but to practice homosexuality is considered immoral.  The Church bases its belief in Scripture (Genesis 19 and 20:13, Romans 1:24-27, 1 Corinthians 6: 9-10, and Timothy 1:9-10) and moral tradition based on natural law reasoning.  Natural law reasoning is a process the Church uses to examine human acts according to the “nature of things”. 

Some teachers in the Church have attempted to propose a Catholic approach to homosexuality.  This approach would remain faithful to the traditional teaching about the two goals of sexuality (procreation and love) and at the same time be a genuine response to the nature of homosexuality.  These people argue that because a change of orientation is out of the question (it is generally accepted that a person does not deliberately choose their sexual orientation), homosexuals should be given the same moral choices as heterosexuals: celibacy or permanent exclusive partnership.  The Church, however, has not altered its position at this time.  Although it mandates understanding and compassion toward homosexuals, it holds a firm line against them acting on their sexual inclinations”.  Hope this helps.  CatholicView Staff

CatholicView Staff:

I want to know what is the church teaching is on bariatric surgery? I have been over weight all my life and have been thinking about the surgery but I want to know what the church says about it before I make a decision. Thank you, L. Lopez

Dear Liz:

There are some Catholic Hospitals who do offer Bariatric Surgery.  If your health is in danger, I would suggest you consult your parish priest, sit down with him and talk this matter over.  I am sure you will find his advice most helpful in determining if you would be a candidate for this surgery.  May God bless and help you in making the right decision.  – CatholicView Staff



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