ASK
A PRIEST
JULY 2010
FATHER WILLIAM G. MENZEL
FATHER KEVIN BATES, SM
CATHOLICVIEW STAFF
FATHER WILLIAM G.
MENZEL
"Am I
committing a mortal sin by selling emergency
contraception?"
- Donald
Father Bill:
I am a pharmacist at a big retail
chain, and converted to Catholicism. I'm worried and
feel guilty for selling emergency contraception (plan
B), which can be sold to anyone as long as they're at
least 17 years old. Am I committing mortal sin? -
Donald
Dear Donald,
To be perfectly honest, Donald,
your question is a bit out of my league. I am a
pastor, not a moral theologian. As a pastor, I
will admit to a deep respect for your conscientious
sensitivity to the dilemmas you sometimes must deal with
as a pharmacist who is Catholic. I’m sure you’re
not the only one who sometimes agonizes over the moral
implications of issues such as this.
I have a beloved niece who is a
pharmacist for a large national chain. While she
is not a practicing Catholic, I know that she is
troubled by the knowledge that she sometimes must fill
prescriptions for people whom she knows to be
prescription drug abusers. I definitely do not
envy those in your profession who have concerns that you
cannot easily act upon.
As far as your specific question is
concerned, I did a small amount of research. What
I found was somewhat surprising: While it is not
absolutely certain, recent research suggests that it is
unlikely that Plan B (Barr Pharmaceutical’s brand name
for levonorgestrel) is an abortifacient. The
apparent truth is that no one is exactly sure how it
works, but evidence points to a contraceptive effect, in
which case no ovum is fertilized. Another way of
saying it is that Plan B apparently does not work after
ovulation has occurred.
Given the conditions necessary for
committing a mortal sin, I don’t think that you would be
committing one for selling Plan B. Having said
that, I know for absolute certainty that there is a host
of priests and lay people who would disagree with me.
I respect that. I’m not infallible when it comes
to unsettled moral questions, but neither is anyone
else. Sometimes we just have to muddle along in
the vast gray areas of life and just make the best of
our uncertainty.
A closing thought for you: If
you continue to have doubts about the morality of
selling Plan B, is it possible for you to arrange with
another pharmacist to handle Plan B requests? I
would suspect that your store has some shifts where you
are not the only pharmacist on site, so an arrangement
like this might be possible. If you’re the only
pharmacist on duty, then you might just have to grit
your teeth as you make the sale, but I do not believe
that you would be committing a mortal sin.
God bless you for striving to live
your faith with such courage and conviction. -
Father Bill
"If Mary
was conceived without sin, why does she need a Savior?"
- David
Father
Bill:
In Luke's
Gospel, Mary refers to God as her Savior. If she was
conceived without sin, why would she need a Savior? -
Thank you. - Dave
Dear Dave,
Interesting question, Dave, but I
think that the answer is fairly simple.
First of all, it’s important to
remember Mary’s Jewish heritage. She was obviously a
very devoted Jewish girl. As such, she would hold in her
heart the promise of the Covenant that the Lord would
send a messiah to deliver his people. At her joyful
meeting with Elizabeth as recorded in the Gospel of
Luke, it finally dawns on her what God has done—that He
has actually included her in His plan, and the mighty
Savior that God has promised has finally come. God is
her Savior as a child of Israel.
The other part of the answer is
that Mary was conceived without sin not by her own
merits, but by the power of God her Savior. More
specifically, we would say that she was free from sin
through the anticipated merits of the death and
resurrection of Jesus. (Remember: for God there is no
“past” or “future”; there is only an eternal “now”.
While we who are locked into the concept of “time” can
speak of “anticipated merits”, this phrase really is
meaningless as applied to God.)
So Mary, the new Eve, was really
saved just as we are, by the obedience unto death of the
New Adam, Jesus the Christ...her Son. God bless you,
Dave. - Father Bill
"Why are illegal immigrants allowed communion when
they are breaking the law?" - Jack
Father Bill:
If I am obstinately breaking a law,
I should not be receiving the sacrament. Yet there are
many illegal immigrants in our parish that the pastor is
aware of. Why are they allowed to receive the
sacrament, when they are breaking the law? - Jack
Dear Jack,
Thank you for asking such a timely
question! The quandary of the illegal immigrants is one
that vexes many of our society’s structures, government
officials and agencies, as well as many churches and
charitable organizations. It is a complex human drama
that continues to play out within our American culture.
In trying to answer your question I
have to admit that I am puzzled by your premise: "If I
am obstinately breaking a law, I should not be receiving
the sacrament." (By “the sacrament” I presume you mean
the Eucharist.) If your premise is correct, then I am in
deep trouble, as I obstinately and virtually always
drive five miles-per-hour over the speed limit.
While there are some obvious human
dimensions to legislation about speed limits, that pales
in comparison to the human impact of immigration laws.
Here I feel confident in affirming the consensus of the
American Catholic bishops, who have consistently voiced
their support for comprehensive immigration reform.
According to Bishop Wester of Salt Lake City, Chairman
of the U.S. Bishops' Committee on Migration, such reform
would take into account both the rights of a country to
secure its borders and the rights of people to emigrate
and to support themselves and their families. His use
of the word “reform” implies that current laws are not
adequate.
What your inquiry boils down to is
this: Are illegal immigrants guilty of such serious sin
that they should they be barred from receiving the
Eucharist? I know of nothing in the teachings of the
Church, nor have I heard any American Catholic bishop
suggest such a thing. On the contrary, the Catholic
Church is making great efforts to minister to the needs
of our brothers and sisters who are so desperately
trying to provide for their families. They may be
breaking the immigration laws, but the laws may be
seriously flawed.
Let’s all pray for legislation that
will be right and just for our country and for those who
long to live here. - Father Bill
FATHER KEVIN BATES,
SM
" In the last 2000 years has the Church EVER
relented on a dogma?"
- Sean
Dear Father Kevin:
In the last 2000 years has the Church EVER
relented on a dogma? – Sean
G’day Sean:
No, the Church has never repealed or changed a
Dogma. However, in the course of time the Church grows in its understanding of the
various dogmas of our faith, just as we all grow in our journey of faith and understand
more deeply the meaning of our central dogmas. There are lesser teachings and
practices that will always need to be re-visited and possible changed. Two examples
would be the Church’s former support for slavery, and our fear of the modern world
and all things modern, where priests were compelled to take an oath against
“modernity” for a fair portion of last century. Like everyone else, we are
growing up as we go forward, and the Church, guided by the Holy Spirit does the same
thing.
It’s important o be clear what you mean by
“dogma.” The moral teachings of the Church are not dogmas, they are moral
teachings, for example the Church’s teachings on murder, economic justice, and sexual
moral issues. It’s worth noting that no Pope has ever made an infallible statement on
a moral issue. The only infallible statements have been about dogmas, such as
Original Sin, the Trinity, the Immaculate Conception and so on.
It’s often in the area of moral teaching that
we as a Church grow and develop and need to change our perspective on things from time to
time. Every blessing. - Father Kevin
"Is my brother fulfilling his Sunday Obligation when he leaves
during the profession of faith to sit in the Narthex?" - Claire
Father Kevin:
My brother has begun leaving Mass during the
profession of faith to sit in the Narthex. This is new behaviour that started when he was
dating a non-Christian girl. Is he still fulfilling his Sunday Obligation? He can't
even watch the consecration.... let alone kneel. – Claire
Hi Claire:
Only God could answer this question so I think it best left to Him! What is the
spirit of the law behind our “Sunday Obligation”? It is quite possible
that he is honouring the spirit of the law in his own way. Maybe he prays better out
the back like the publican in Jesus’ parable.
Good wishes to you. - Father
Kevin
CATHOLICVIEW STAFF
"I have grown apart from the Church. How can
I re-connect to the
teachings of the bible?" - Dylan
CatholicView Staff:
I am a college student who has in recent years grown apart from the
church. I plan to attend church every Sunday during school, but how can I connect
with the teachings of the Bible before then? I don't have time amidst my studies to
read the entire work. - Dylan
Dear Dylan:
Thank you for writing. You are to be commended for wanting to
re-connect with the teachings of the bible. Sometimes the busyness of our lives
takes us away from the very thing we need most and that is giving time to the Lord.
Try to read a few verses of the bible for starters. And make
time to pray a short prayer as you on your way to college. Know that God understands
our schedules but He also wants us to acknowledge His Presence in our lives.
You are going to find that once you start reading just a short verse
or two of the bible, those verses will come to mean a lot to you. Pray a short
prayer often throughout the day and feel the love that will flow through to you. Bit
by bit you will move closer to Him. Try this and see. God bless you. - CatholicView
Staff
"Is there a prayer to ask God for help in broken
relationships?"
- Emmanuel
CatholicView Staff:
I am 36 years old and work in the medical profession. Six
months ago I moved back home with my Dad after I lost my job as a doctor. Three weeks ago,
my 32-year-old girlfriend of just 3 months broke up with me, and I have asked God to help
me understand just what happened. Both she and I are Roman Catholic, and both attend
Church weekly. We did not consummate our relationship in the time we were together,
but the day before she broke up with me I gave her a full leg massage (she's an accountant
and a swimmer), and we kissed like we always did. When I got home that night, she
telephoned me to say she wasn't ready to take our relationship to the next level, but
wanted to stay friends. What I cannot grasp is that during those 3 months, she constantly
told me that she really liked me, and couldn't wait to introduce me to her family. I
feel that I alienated her completely from my life, because she felt that I only wanted
sex. The truth is that I did really care for her as a person and wanted to date her
long-term; I wasn't only interested in getting physical with her. When she called me
on the phone to break up, her tone was very angry, almost as if she somehow despised me.
Father, if she didn't feel ready to consummate our relationship, why wouldn't she just
tell me that she wanted to take things slower? Why drop someone like a hot
potato? Anyway, I have asked God if He would speak to her heart, and somehow let her
know that I didn't mean to turn her away. Am I wasting my time asking God to speak
to her heart? Is there a proper prayer with which to ask God for help in broken
relationships, or a patron saint to pray to? Thank you for your help. - Emmanuel
Dear Emmanuel:
I am sorry to hear that your relationship with your girlfriend has
ended so abruptly. I suggest that you give her some time to think things
over. This will also give you time to do the same. When things like this
happen, it may mean that God has another plan for your life. I suggest that you wait
on the Lord, praying that if your girlfriend of three months is the right one for you,
that He please open her heart to the love you have for her. But please keep in mind
that she may not be the one God has in mind for you.
Emmanuel, we cannot make someone love us. It has to come from
the heart. I suggest that you wait and pray that God gives you the courage to depend
on His will for your life. - CatholicView Staff
"As a Security Guard, what should I do if given 'hush money' by
a
client?" - Derick
CatholicView Staff:
I am a security Guard, I am not to disclose any information of our
clients. recently some one gave me money, I tried to give it back but they wouldn't except
it. I feel it was hush money from an adultery. what do I do? - Derick
Dear Derick:
Thank you for your question. As a Security Guard, you
feel you were given money as "hush money" for adultery.
Unfortunately you did not think clearly enough to refuse it before the people moved away.
If you know who gave you the money, you must try to return it
immediately. If you cannot, you must get forgiveness for your lapse in
sensibility. Donate the money to charity or the poor. The Lord, Who
reads your heart and knows that you are sorry for accepting this bribe, will forgive
you. Get forgiveness from God and Church and move on, avoiding such acts in the
future. God bless you for wanting to make this right. Go forward and clear
this matter up with the Lord. - CatholicView Staff
"I got married civilly and am now divorced. Can I now
marry in the Church?" - Catherine
CatholicView Staff:
I got married in the register office in London to the father of my 5
kids. We got divorced. He remarried. I met someone new and want to get
married in the Catholic Church. Is that possible as my new partner is not a
Catholic. - Catherine
Dear Catherine:
Thank you for writing. First things first. Talk to your
priest about your situation. The Church does not
recognize civil marriages as valid. Should you wish to marry in the Church, the marriage
tribunal would have to verify the invalidity of that marriage. This would be an easy and
brief matter. See your priest about this. God bless. - CatholicView
Staff
"Can soldiers and policemen who kill in the line of duty
be true Christians?" - Clarence
CatholicView Staff:
Since police men and soldiers may have to kill if necessary, can they
be true Christians? - Clarence
Dear Clarence:
Christians who are soldiers or policemen are there to protect our
country or our homeland. In order to defend others from invading
or threatening our country, or those who are committing crime in our cities, it is
not sinful to promote peace and protection by killing to defend one's self or others, if
that is what it takes. Extreme measures are discouraged, of course, but if a
policeman or soldier has to kill to protect in the line of duty, then it certainly is not
a sin. In catholic.com it defines, "Christians must not love
violence. They must promote peace whenever possible and be slow to resort to the use of
arms. But they must not be afraid to do so when it is called for. Evil must not be
allowed to remain unchecked." Hope this helps. - CatholicView Staff
"My wife is depressed and I have been watching porn
online.
Is this sinful?" - Jack
CatholicView Staff:
I am a 59 year old man with a depressed wife. Lately I have
been viewing porn sites online. My wife knows I look at porn occasionally, doesn't
seem to mind. Although I do fantasize, I have never cheated. Is this sinful? - Jack
Dear Jack:
Thank you for writing. Have you considered getting counseling
or going to see your parish priest about your marriage situation? Watching porn is
not the answer to your problem and if you continue to indulge yourself this way, it will
only led you into more sinful behavior.
Your wife needs help with her depression. This is not a good
state of mind and she needs professional help to determine what is troubling her.
That you are watching porn only adds to her condition. Please go and talk to
your priest. This is vitally important for you to do so. Your priest is there
to help and offer suggestions for you and your wife. Do not delay. God bless
you both. - CatholicView Staff
"A drug user dropped his needle in my sandaled foot. My doctor
advised continual blood testing for six months. Is it wrong to use
a condom with my wife?" - Jody
CatholicView Staff:
I was recently in a public bathroom in a downtown centre when a drug
user in the stall next to me dropped his needle and a drug as it fell, it stuck into my
foot (was wearing sandals). Since it was bleeding, I rushed to hospital and am now
on a Post Exposure Treatment for 1 month, and continual blood testing for the next 6
months to ensure I haven't contracted HIV or hepatitis. Is it wrong to use a condom
with my wife, or do we need to abstain for the next 6 months. Thank you. - Jody
Jody:
CatholicView is sorry to learn of your misfortune and the emotional
pain that you and your wife are suffering. In this case where the doctor gave you a
time frame that must be watched, you must follow your doctor's orders. It
would be disastrous to infect your wife or to bring a child into the world with a terrible
disease.
You will be in my prayers as you face this tragedy. Please
speak to your parish priest and have him advise you further. May the Lord keep you
physically safe and shower you with His blessings. -CatholicView Staff
My sister took communion even though she has not been a practicing
Catholic lately. What should I say to her?" - Jackie
CatholicView Staff:
My sister is not a practicing Catholic and this past Sunday my son,
my sister and myself were on vacation and attended the local church for Mass. My sister
took holy communion even though she hasn't been to Mass in many years, much less
Reconciliation. My son and I talked later and he stated that we have an obligation to
speak to her because what she did was a mortal sin. My sister is a very hard person to
approach on a personal level. What is the proper thing to do? Thank you!
Jackie:
Pray for your sister and ask God to give you the right words to speak
to her. Approach her with love, telling her that you are happy that she attended
mass with you. Then gently make her aware of the fact that she must reconcile
herself with the church before she is entitled to the sacraments. But do this kindly
and with love for this is her first step back. Encourage but tell her that she must
make things right with the church. Keep your sister in prayer. Thanks for
writing to CatholicView. - CatholicView Staff
"My former priest left the priesthood and married a possessed
woman.
How can I still pray for him?" - Clare
CatholicView Staff:
My former parish priest got involved with a possessed woman, so much
so that he left the priesthood and the Church and married her. So, my question is, how can
I still pray for him (and the woman who led him astray)? I feel that his soul is in
peril but if he has left the faith, do I still pray and offer up for him? This situation
is very disturbing and many of us are very upset having supported him with prayers and
money. Thank you and May God bless you all.
Dear Clare:
God blesses those who are concerned about the souls of others.
You must pray for your priest. You cannot read the state of his soul.
Only God can do that. Put everything in the Almighty hands of God and continue
to pray for your former priest. - God bless you. - CatholicView
Staff.
"I have no job and cannot go to visit my mother who has
HIV.
Please advise me. - Joan
CatholicView staff:
I am an international student who is seeking employment but I have
not found a job. I have also received bad news about my mum. My mum has been
very sick for months and we just discovered she has HIV and we suspect my dad gave it to
her since my mum never remarried and that is why dad took his own life when I was 13 years
old. I have no job or money and I am terrified since I cannot go see her and I cannot
afford counseling. Please advise me. I am so overwhelmed and alone. -
Joan
Joan:
I am sorry that so many sad things are happening in your life.
First your Dad who took his own life, and now your mom who is suffering with
HIV. Please go and talk to the priest at your church. He will be able to
talk and offer the comfort you need concerning your mother. He may also be able to
suggest work for you. Don't give up hope. Keep praying to God, for He knows
your struggles.
I will keep you and your mother in prayer. - May God send His Angels
to keep watch over you. Blessings always. - CatholicView Staff
"Shall I baptize my son in my new parish or the old one
where family and friends live?" - Ryan
CatholicView Staff:
I would like to have my son baptized in the church that I grew up in,
which is close to many family members and friends. My wife and I moved away
from the area about 6 years ago, my parents are now members of a different parish in the
area, and the priest I had growing up has moved away so we don't know the new
priest. What is the best way to go about making this happen? Is there
anything we need to do in terms of having our son baptized in a parish that isn't ours and
one that we really don't have any connection to anymore? - Ryan
Dear Ryan:
I am sorry that you find yourself in such a dilemma concerning
locations for the baptism of your son.
If you want to have the baptism in your old parish because it is
close to family and friends, talk to the new priest there and arrange to do so. He
will set up a time and make arrangements. May I suggest that you celebrate the
baptism of your son in your own parish where you family and friends can come, as well as
your new friends so all can share in this special event? It will also be a memorable
time for your family to see your new place of worship as well as to celebrate the baptism
of your son. However you decide, see your parish priest for dates and times.
Congratulation on the birth of your beautiful baby. - CatholicView Staff
"My daughter's old fiancé is civilly married but calls her
constantly. What advice can I give her?" - Bernice
CatholicView Staff:
I have recently spoke to my daughter regarding a situation she is
going through. My daughter was engaged to be married and then after 4 years broke it
off. Her fiancé civil married and on the day he civilly married, he realized he was
making a mistake and texted my daughter to tell her he loves her and didn't want to get
married, but he did it anyway. The bride and Groom currently do not live together
due to religious reasons. They are to be married in a Catholic Ceremony in October of 2010
which their families are arranging. He calls my daughter everyday and tells her he doesn't
want to marry by the Church. Although he is not living with his bride, he is entering a
marriage without love. How can this happen, and what advice can I give my
daughter if apparently they love each other.
Bernice:
I am so sorry that your daughter is facing such emotional
upheaval. Although civilly married but not blessed in the church, your daughter's
fiancé is still married and until he is free, he should not continue to contact your
daughter and perhaps give her false hope. He is a married man who made this
choice. AND he is planning to marry in the Catholic Church. He is a grownup
man who is knowingly finalizing his marriage within the Catholic Church.
If this man truly loves your daughter, he must arrange to free
himself by a arranging for an annulment if it is needed, and he must inform his wife that
he does not want to re-marry her in the Church. He must be man enough to tell her he
is in love with his former girl friend. Until he does this, he is not free to pursue
his old love.
This man is not mature and must stop hanging onto a past
relationship. Your daughter deserves a man who is free to marry
her. He must not allow this man to ruin her young life. Tell her it is
time to move on with her life. May the Lord give you and your daughter the courage
to move forward. - CatholicView Staff
"Does every consecrated cup of wine at Mass have a few drops
of water poured in?" John
CatholicView Staff:
At Mass, must a priest pour a few drops of water into every cup that
contains wine? Often there are as many as five cups or more; but I see water
being mingled in only one cup. I thought that every consecrated cup of wine must contain a
few drops of water. Is that true? - John
Hello John:
In the old days pouring a few drops of water was poured into the
Chalice containing the wine to cut the alcohol strength, as it was rather in alcohol
content. Now, in modern times, it is symbol of Christ's humanity ( water) and
divinity (wine). The priest or deacon says the following prayer when mixing the water and
wine: "By the mingling of this water and this wine, may we come to share
in the divine life of Christ, Who humbled himself to share in our
humanity." - wiki.answers.com
John, the main chalice holds the wine where the drops of water is put
into first, then the chalice containing the wine with the added water is poured into
individual cups which the Ministers of the Eucharist will offer to the parishioners.
Hope this helps. - CatholicView Staff
"Is it ok for a Catholic to wear the Star of
David?" - Timothy
CatholicView Staff:
Is it ok for a Catholic to wear the Star of David?
- Timothy
Dear Timothy:
Our religious history is based on
Judaism. Some people wear a cross as a symbol of the
sacrifice Jesus Christ made for all of us. Others wear
the Star of David with a cross in its center, signifying
a recognition that Jesus was a Jew and died for our
salvation. One main reason Catholics might wear the
Star of David is that it is an appreciation of our
history, but in itself it is only a beginning and not a totality of who we are as Christian
Catholics. Hope this helps. - CatholicView Staff
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