Father Bill: How do I find my path? I am lost and I don't know what to believe in any longer. I am a combat veteran and surprised to even be here. I have seen and done things that a normal person would never do. These things and other experiences in my life have made me question what faith is. What is faith and how do I find it? Please help???? - Rafn
Dear Rafn, Please don’t think I’m being insensitive in saying this, but…you are not really lost. God knows where you are, and that means you’re not lost. I’ve never thought of it that way before, but I think this could be very important for a real understanding of faith. God knows where you are. In reality, Rafn, you’re not looking for faith. You’re looking for God. Where are you going to find him? How are you going to find him? Since God knows where you are, the best place to look for God is right there—right where you are. God is in your “lostness”. God is in those things you’ve seen and done that haunt your thoughts. God is in the guilt you feel for having survived, while others did not. God is in your questioning. It’s o.k. if you don’t see him there. He understands. He knows where you are. I think of the story of Zacchaeus in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 19. He was a despised tax collector, a Jew who had sold out to the Roman occupation forces. He was also short in stature. When Jesus was passing through Jericho, Zacchaeus, hiding obscurely in the back of the crowd, couldn’t see him. So he climbed a sycamore tree. Jesus knew that he was there, and there it was that God found Zacchaeus and Zacchaeus found God. Unlike you, Zacchaeus didn’t even know that he was looking for God, but Jesus didn’t care. He invited himself to Zacchaeus’ house. Read the story. In a way, you are up in the tree, and Jesus is inviting himself to your house. He’s not asking whether you’re perfect. He’s just letting you know that God loves you where you are now (stuck in a sycamore tree?), and he’ll walk to your house with you. Okay, so I’m speaking in metaphors. If you’re going to walk with Jesus to your house, what steps can you take? Talk to someone, Rafn. Pour your heart out to someone who will listen with compassion. Is there a retreat center near you? Is there a parish nearby with a priest or someone on staff who has a reputation for helping people on their journey of faith? I’m assuming you’re Catholic, and I know that our church is blessed with many kind and holy people who would be eager to help you. Even if you’re not Catholic, they would be glad to help—or you can find someone in a different faith tradition who could give you guidance. You are not alone in your search, Rafn. There are many who bear the same doubts and burdens that you have. And there are many caring Christians who would be more than willing to help you find the God who knows where you are. The way to him? Jesus said it to Thomas in the Gospel of John: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Come down from the tree, Rafn. Jesus means to stay at your house. - Father Bill
Father Bill: Is faith supposed to be an act of will? That is, if I don't believe in something in particular, should I fight my doubts or confess them and wait for the faith to be given? The problem is, I think the Catholic Church is the right one for me because I have the basic Christian beliefs and don't like the idea of schism, but there is a lot of "mandatory beliefs" in it that I find really hard to believe! So if I confess my doubts, but still can't find the faith in one of those mandatory beliefs, can I still belong to the Church? Thank you. - Lou
Dear Lou, Yours is a great question, and I’m sure it’s one that many believers ask at one time or another. However, the answer depends a lot on just what it is that you “find really hard to believe”. Let me begin by making some important distinctions that I’m not sure people always make. They often confuse three important concepts that are related but not the same: beliefs, teachings, and practices. Beliefs (also known as creeds or dogmas) are central to faith. We Catholics share many of these core beliefs with other Christians. Examples would be the Trinity, the divinity of Jesus and His resurrection from the dead. There are more of course, and denying any of them would clearly render one “outside the fold”. Teachings (or doctrine) tend to be more denominational specific. In other words, what the Catholic Church teaches about certain aspects of faith may be different from what other Christian churches teach. An example of this would be our belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the consecrated bread and wine at Mass or the important and unique role of the pope as a successor of St. Peter. There may be occasional disputes about some doctrines; this is a normal part of theological inquiry. Still, it should be pretty obvious that most schisms originate from such disputes. It’s one thing to question a teaching of the Church; it’s quite another to deny it or replace it with something else. Practices (which would include customs and discipline) may vary within the Church itself. Examples would be the language of the liturgy, how one receives communion, and the rule of celibacy for priests of the Latin Rite. One can readily disagree with such practices without being in serious trouble with the Church. (I hasten to add that there are some who would disagree with me on that!) So what are some of those “mandatory beliefs” that you find hard to believe, Lou? I think that many of us believers might have occasional problems with our faith. Sometimes we go through phases where we reexamine long-held beliefs and assumptions. While there are some risks in this (for example, if it’s done without prayer and without seeking to deepen one’s understanding of the Church’s wisdom), I think that for many people this process results in a stronger faith. Lou, I would urge you to take your questions about faith to a priest or spiritual director. He or she can help you sort out your doubts and maybe give you some insights as to how to resolve them. I might add that finding something “hard to believe” does not make it unbelievable. In all honesty, the problem might be with you, not with the “mandatory beliefs”. We all must be humble in the face of the immensity of God, as well as the Church’s age-old wisdom. A spiritual director can help you evaluate your concerns in the light of the teachings of the Church. Best wishes, and may God bless you. - Father Bill Father Bill: It has just been revealed that many UK supermarkets and food outlets are selling halal meat without disclosing it. Is it a sin to knowingly eat halal meat given its ritualistic slaughter? - Anne
Dear Anne, I’m going to give you a quick answer: No, it is not a sin. Neither is it a sin for a Christian to eat Kosher food. We Christians are far less fussy about things like that than most other religions. Since the term “halal” was new to me, I’m sure that it may well be new to many others as well. “halal” is simply an Arabic word that means “lawful” or “legal” or “permissible”. In this context “halal” refers to meat that has come from animals slaughtered according to Muslim ritual requirements. Many animal rights activists contend that the ritual slaughter of animals by slitting their throats as required by Muslim law is inhumane. Tests have been conducted which purportedly show that it actually may be more humane than some other methods commonly used. I have no idea who’s right, but if it bothered me, I would just avoid buying halal meat. With that in mind, it seems to me that stores which sell halal meat should label it clearly. That would make it easy for Muslims to choose it and for others who, for whatever reason, might wish to avoid it. Thanks for the question, Anne. May God bless you. - Father Bill
CatholicView Staff Apple iPhones use the bitten apple as the logo. An information search indicated that the bitten apple product logo may be based on symbolism of the tree of knowledge. I may not be able to return the phone. Is it wrong to use these products because of that symbol? - Mark
Mark:
Symbols on products that we use each day have no bearing on what
I believe or how my relationship with Jesus Christ is affected.
My faith is stronger than anything, including symbols. I have
used Apple products and will continue to use them as these
products are excellent and provide what I need to get God's work
done. There is no problem in using any product that gives glory
to God and helps us make the world a better place.
CatholicView Staff: This is really more of a confession since you guys know God better than I do. A manager at work was drinking on the job and rather than telling another authority I told other crew members. Basically gossiped about it. Then I got so upset that I was cussing while telling another manager. I am experiencing overwhelming conviction about it. so okay that's it . Thanks. - Candice
Dear Candice:
I hope your inner
"conviction" tells you that complaining to everyone else does
nothing to solve the problem of a manager that may be having
issues with alcohol. If anyone has a complaint at work, it is
important that one refrains from telling everyone else before
finding out what the real truth is, and then talking to the
immediate supervisor of that manager or human resources about
finding a solution. Gossiping without knowing the whole
story is tantamount to slander (destroying a person's good name
and reputation). Time to learn from your mistakes.
CatholicView Staff: Why is it that priests seem like it is a chore to hear confessions? What happened to the days when priests spent time in prayer, hearing confessions? Newly ordained priests now refer to their calling as a "JOB" Thank you. - Fran
Fran:
I am not able to
answer for anyone else but only for my experience. I have been
a priest for 30 years now and the sacrament of Penance
(confession) has been an experience of great healing for so many
people and for my self. Even though it is emotionally and
spiritually exhausting to accept the burden of other's sins, it
is an amazing miracle of God's forgiveness and healing when I
pronounce the words of absolution over a penitent. I do see my
ministry as a job, occupation, and lifestyle. When the tax
forms ask what my occupation is, I write in the space provided:
Roman Catholic Priest (or the generic legal term, minister of
the gospel.) But the priesthood is much more than just a job.
It is my life, my being, and reason to live. My ministerial
life is all encompassing, touching and informing every aspect of
my life. So, in one sense, my ordained ministry is an
occupation, in other words, that's how I get compensated. In
another sense, it is my identity, who I am. As in anything, I
have to take care of myself spiritually and physically so that I
can be a priest to all I meet. Being a priest can be an
exhausting vocation yet I can tell you that being a priest is
also exhilarating as I see the miracles of God each day. So, to
make sure I am functioning well, I make sure that I have time
for myself, surround myself with supportive friends, and have
time to touch the face of God in prayer. I do hear some younger
priests equate their vocation to having a job, and taking time
off their job makes them better able to do their job. These
words are an unfortunate use of modern employment vocabulary
that really doesn't do justice to the calling to ministry. I
would like us as priest not to use these "employment" words in
regards to ministry. Nonetheless, the priests that I know are
compassionate, generous with their energy and time, and I know
they carry the burden of their parishioners.
CatholicView Staff:
I am getting engaged to a Coptic Orthodox man. I have read your answer about getting a dispensation to marry in the Coptic Orthodox Church. My question is; I would have to be re-baptized in the Coptic church. Is this a sin? Thank you. - Patty Dear Patty:
Congratulations on
your upcoming marriage! I praise God that you found your soul
partner to walk with you on your journey through life. God is
good! As for your question concerning re-baptism in the Coptic
Orthodox Church, that means that you are not getting married in
your parish church but in his (your fiancé) church. The Coptic
Orthodox Church requires that you are a member of their church
before you can contract the sacrament of marriage within their
church walls. The requirement of re-baptism means that you are
saying that you will be a member of the Coptic Orthodox Church
and are leaving the Roman Catholic Church. Usually, brides have
contracted the sacrament of marriage in their own church. In
your question, it is not clear or obvious why you chose to be
married in his church. But, to answer your question about
whether re-baptism in the Coptic Orthodox Church "is a sin," no,
it is not. CatholicView Staff: I have articles regarding "Rules for Radicals (Alinsky)" that has infiltrated the Catholic Church. I see that I cannot attach the articles to this message, but I cannot seem to get an answer from anybody I have contacted. I would like to know if this infiltration is true. - Eileen Eileen:
Thank you for your question. The so-called "Rules for Radicals"
has been the principles behind some community organizing groups
and has been effective in organizing people in areas to have
political voice and clout. But as for the Catholic Church, such
political theories do not have a place in our ministry,
preaching, or missionary outreach. Some dioceses in the United
States of America (USA) have Catholic Charities departments that
give grants to certain charity groups that apply for money to do
their generous work. An example of this is my diocese's
Catholic Charity's grants to such groups that help the homeless
on our streets, to young people who have left their homes and
have nothing, to Meals on Wheels programs, to the Rachel
Ministries (spiritual and material help for women who
are pregnant and want support so that they don't have to get an
abortion and women who have had abortions and need healing and
forgiveness). My diocese has strict policies that determine
where those grants go and our Catholic Charities department
makes sure that we are not contributing to groups that would
undermine our own moral principles. I can only say that my
bishop and my diocese has strict policies on where Catholic
Charity grants go and I am sure that we are not supporting any
organization that would work against the Church. And our Church
in the USA and my diocese does not run, accept, or is
infiltrated by the political manifesto of "Rules for Radicals."
We are informed and infiltrated by the Word of God and by Jesus
Christ. Everything we do in our diocese is measured by
Jesus, not by any political theory.
"My sister who is Baptist
wants our Catholic mother's funeral in her church. CatholicView Staff: I and my siblings were raised Catholic. My father died, I and my siblings drifted away from the Faith, and our mother is the only practicing Catholic left in our immediate family. Though apart from the Church, I still identify as Catholic in some ways. My siblings do not. My mother (age 90) speaks of her coming death a lot lately, and I have questions regarding this. My mom has made no arrangements with her parish church re: a funeral Mass or her burial, seems confused about related expense, and doesn't think she "qualifies" for a funeral Mass because she hasn't physically attended church in years. She watches Mass on television and receives the Eucharist weekly in her home from a lay minister. I told her that her concerns are unfounded. Can I try to make arrangements for her? I realize that I could just contact our local priests, but wanted to ask here also. My sister became a born again Baptist some years ago, is a bit anti-Catholic, and wants to have our mother's funeral service conducted in her church, which I find disrespectful, as our mom is a Catholic, not a Baptist. If this happens, (knowing our family, it could) may I have a memorial Mass (not a funeral Mass) said for my mother in a Catholic church, and will she benefit from this spiritually in the same way as she would from a funeral Mass? - Thanks. - Hans
Hans: Your mother is definitely Catholic, and a
practicing believer. Even though your sister is now separated from
the Church and is even, as you say, anti-Catholic, she has no say
about your mother's wishes to be buried in the Church that she is
part of. So, there is no explanation or excuse whatsoever in having
your mother, when she passes to the Lord, to have a funeral in any
place of worship other then her own, her local parish. By all
means, make arrangements with your parish priest and your local
funeral director. Your mother's name is on the local parish's list
of those who are infirmed and are prayed for daily. As for your
other question concerning if the family decides AGAINST your
mother's will to be buried in the Catholic Church, a memorial Mass
would be the last option (don't even think about it as this is
against your mother's will which should be carried out to the
CatholicView Staff: Against my son's wishes. his wife went to help in a parish in Africa leaving him alone for 3 months. Now she tells him he emotionally abused her by not supporting her and wants a divorce. Doesn't a spouse take priority over other issues? He doesn't want a divorce, he loves her. HELP!!! - Rita
Rita: Marriage means to share all decisions before acting on them. With the limited information you have provided, I cannot make a judgment for you. Did your son forbid his wife to go on this trip? Was the trip a breaking point of other situations, causing the wife to want a divorce? I would suggest that your son and his wife visit their parish priest to discuss what is happening within their marriage. He will be able to provide them with the names of marriage professionals who might be able to help them save their marriage. Please encourage them to seek help. Thank you for writing to us and may God bless you and your family. -CatholicView Staff CatholicView Staff: I was baptized a Baptist and as a Catholic and my marriage has been convalidated in the Church. Am I able to take communion?" Susan Dear Susan: Thank you for writing to CatholicView. And congratulations on your marriage. You wrote that you were baptized as a Baptist and a Catholic, but you say you are not Catholic. If your marriage has been convalidated by the Church, and you are an active Catholic in good standing, you are allowed to participate in the Sacrament of Communion. If you are not a practicing Catholic, you cannot receive communion. God bless you. -CatholicView Staff CatholicView Staff: My friend and I hurt each other and I apologized; she never did. I thought everything was okay but she continues to accuse me of things and think the worst of me. I cut off contact because she refuses to let go of the past. Is it Christian to cut her off? - Erica
Erica: Unfortunately, some people do not easily forgive. When a friend apologizes, and the apology is accepted, the friendship resumes and the accusations should stop. Sadly, your friend did not
forgive you as you forgave her. Continue to be nice to her, but
don't encourage the friendship further unless your friend apologizes
for her behavior. You have done your part to make things right.
You are doing the right thing by moving on if your friend no longer
wants this friendship. CatholicView Staff: My friend intends to get married by a laicized priest. I feel I can't go and cannot attend the reception, it feels as though the devil is getting a head start on this "marriage" plus it is outside! - Barbara
In Roman Catholicism, a laicized priest is forbidden to exercise his priestly functions, but an indelible priestly character is held to remain on his soul. In other words, this priest is a priest forever. Consequently, any exercise of his sacramental powers is considered valid even though illegal in the Catholic Church because he has been laicized. The Catholic Church sees a marriage
presided by a laicized priest as a civil marriage not a
sacramental marriage. If your friend is really close to you,
there would be no problem on your part to attend the ceremony
and reception as a way of supporting your friend. You would do
the same for another friend whose marriage was being presided by
someone else authorized by the state to solemnize the wedding
vows. If your friend is a Catholic, he/she must understand that
the marriage is not recognized by the Church as a sacramental
marriage but is seen as a civil ceremony only. The priest who
has been laicized by an canonical act of the institutional
Church cannot preside over the sacrament of marriage since he
does not act in the name of the Church. CatholicView Staff: I am not a Catholic however I grew up in a Catholic family. My mother has 8 siblings, she was the only one who married into the Lutheran church. I have not converted. My aunt taught me to make rosaries, I attended mass frequently. Is it wrong for me to recite the rosary?
Dear Sheila: It is not wrong to use the rosary for your prayers. The rosary is simply a tool to prayer which some Christians find useful.. When praying, it should always come from the heart. As long as the rosary is an aid to sincere prayer then there is nothing wrong with using it and if it is used in the right way it can strengthen your prayer. God be with you. -CatholicView Staff CatholicView Staff: My wife is wheelchair/housebound. My elderly mother purchased a pyx for me to bring communion home to my wife after Mass. I am not a Eucharistic Minister. Do I need to go through special classes/training or get permission before I can use pyx and administer communion to my wife? - Richard Dear Richard: I am so sorry to hear of your wife's health issues. Some Churches allow a family member to administer communion to the sick in the household. You will need to call the Church you attend to find out if you can do this for your wife. You can be commissioned to bring communion for her by receiving the host in your pyx after the Mass you usually attend. Be sure to go directly home with no stops, and administer the sacrament. If you use the Church's pyx, return it to the parish office when you are through. If you prefer, you can have a Minister of the Eucharist come to your home. They are trained to do this and can afford a way for your wife to share the readings and the homily of that Sunday. I hope this helps a bit. -CatholicView Staff CatholicView Staff: Will you clarify Matthew 23: 8-10 about calling one father, rabbi and teacher? Scripture seems quite clear. - David David: You are referring to Matthew 23: 8-10 which reads "Matthew 23:8-10: “Don’t let anyone call you ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one teacher, and all of you are equal as brothers and sisters. And don’t address anyone here on earth as ‘Father,’ for only God in heaven is your spiritual Father. And don’t let anyone call you ‘Teacher,’ for you have only one teacher, the Messiah." Father Kevin Bates answered this question in June 2007 and I quote: "Firstly it is Jesus, (not God as such) in that gospel text Who instructs people not to call people "Father" as we have only one Father in heaven - God. Secondly, I don't know that it is correct to say that the Church "insists" that priests be called "Father". It is along-standing custom, a statement of reverence, love and respect, and a naming of the sort of role that a priest has in a community as a spiritual father in a sense, to the people there. The word Jesus uses in the Gospel is a sort of Title or Honor. As a priest myself, I experience that same word not as a title so much as a reminder to me of the role that my ministry calls me to be among God's people. It is a call to faithfulness, and to respond to God's people as God's minister. If a priest uses the word "Father" more as a title of honor or status rather than a naming of his ministry of service, then that would probably be the sort of error that Jesus was referring to. Even though the word "Father" is used in both instances, the meaning is quite different in each. All good wishes to you. -Father Kevin I hope this helps a bit. - -CatholicView Staff CatholicView Staff: I am somewhat weak, out of the hospital for 5-6 days with emphysema, I live 8 miles from church. I may be able to make it by driving to Mass if I do not have to park too far from church. What criteria can I use to decide whether to stay at home or not? I am 78 yrs. old and a cradle catholic. I never miss Mass. - Larose
Dear Larose: Your are a faithful Christian. God knows all things and He knows you are weak but your spirit is strong. Stay at home and get well. At your age, it is better to be on the safe side until you gain your strength back. I would suggest you call the church and tell them of your situation. They will gladly assign a Minister of the Eucharist to come each Sunday to your home to bring Holy Communion to you. Some will even give you the Sunday's highlights of the Mass if you ask for it. Please do not attempt
to drive 8 miles. Each Sunday during the time you usually spend in
church, pray and read your bible. God loves you and He knows how
much you love Him too. God understands your faithfulness and will
reward you. CatholicView Staff: What is the difference between Canon Law and the Catechism? - Christopher
Christopher: The
earliest individual Church law was called a canon (Greek kanōn,
“rule, measure, standard”), and the canons came to be referred
to as canon law. The
Catechism of the
Catholic Church (or CCC), in simple terms, is the official text of
the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. It was first published
in 1566 under the authority of the Council of Trent. It contains
articles on the classical topics of the official teaching of the
Catholic Church on all matters of faith and morals. CatholicView Staff: My husband treats me bad sometime. He is a Catholic, but sometimes does not act like one. He abuses me mentally be name calling and blames me for stuff. What can I do? God does not condone that behavior and I want to stay with him. Is it biblical to stay with someone who is treating me that way? Is there any way to help him? Can I help in some way other than prayer? Thank you.
Dear Susan: I am so sorry that you are having problems within your marriage. Sadly, your husband is not fulfilling his vows to love and avoid such behavior. Do you have children? And have you asked him to get help? God does not condone such behavior within a marriage. It is not biblical to stay with someone who may not only abuse you mentally but may physically hurt you in the future. Please make an appointment immediately with your parish priest and to talk this grave matter out. He will also be able to suggest a professional who will be able to help your husband. If you do nothing, this may accelerate to dangerous proportions. Continue to pray but be wise and get help for your husband. May the Lord be with you. -CatholicView Staff CatholicView staff: I broke up with the guy I was dating because he habitually commits a mortal sin and is not changing. Over the past year, I've prayed every day for God to show me what to do/how to move on, but all I can figure out is that I really believe it's God's will that we be together. How do I know what God's will really is? Thanks. - Rebecca Rebecca: You sound like a very smart person. To be involved with someone who commits mortal sin is foolish and not Godly. You must let go of your past and move on. Your former boyfriend is not changing his deceitful past for you. You can pray for him but also pray that the Lord will send you someone who will be worthy of you. May God give you the strength to move on. -CatholicView Staff CatholicView Staff: My husband and I returned to the church 7 years ago after being away for several decades. Our marriage has also been blessed by the church. Since our return, my husband has been reading and studying the bible and has come to some conclusions I believe are incorrect and extremely dangerous for our marriage. His interpretation of the old testament was that a husband and wife only have sexual relationships when wanting to produce children. Since this time during his conversion, we have almost eliminated all intimacy from our marriage. I've attempted to try to discuss this with him and have him understand that his interpretation is not correct but he is not interested in making changes. This has been an issue for the past 7 years. At this time I feel we are simply companions rather than husband and wife and am struggling to find any emotional attachment to him to remain in the marriage. He has been checked by our family doctor and there is no medical reason for this change. I don't know what else to do at this time. Your feedback would be very much appreciated. Thank you, Michele Michelle: I am so sorry to hear that you are struggling with these changes in your marriage. When two people marry, it is a sacred bond bringing two people who love each other as one whole. With this bond it is true that a husband and wife must be open to having children. But it is also the bond that holds two people together as one, with the purpose of loving each other, finding joy in intimate closeness, sharing your lives in happiness, and allowing for the intimacy that is important in all marriages. Your husband must understand that in a marriage, your bodies are not your own because you belong to each other. This does not mean that a couple should abuse that right, but through loving kindness, be aware of the other's needs. The Catechism of the Catholic
Church # 2332 states: Sexuality affects all aspects of the human
person in the unity of his body and soul. It especially concerns
affectivity, the capacity to love and procreate, and in a more
general way the aptitude for forming bonds of communion with others.
I would highly suggest that you make an appointment with your parish priest where you can sit down and discuss this very important issue. You and your husband need professional help. I would advise that you do this in order to save your sacred marriage. I will pray that the Lord will bless you both with peace. -CatholicView Staff CatholicView Staff: Recently at Rutgers, a homosexual student, Clementi, was betrayed by his roommate, Ravi, such that the Ravi broadcast Clementi's homosexual relations on the internet which so devastated Clementi that he committed suicide. The Church teaches that Clementi's sin cannot be forgiven. Yet Ravi, the betrayer, could conceivably arrive at some form of remorse and regret that leads him to repent and find redemption. I understand the plight of the older brother watching the prodigal son return. But this is so much worse. Had Ravi never betrayed Clementi as he did, Clementi could conceivably found redemption himself. Now that is denied, certainly by Clementi's own action, but only because of the actions of Ravi. How can it be possible that Ravi still has the potential for redemption while Clementi cannot be redeemed? This seems to go so far beyond the Parable of the Prodigal Son that it cannot possibly apply. If Ravi can be redeemed, then could not also Clementi, his victim, also be redeemed as well? I don't feel like the older brother here. I was not harmed. I simply don't see the justice in withholding redemption from the victim while still holding out one's hand to the perpetrator. - Daniel Dear Daniel: Interesting question. And basically sound. BUT we, and this is the big one, do not know how God looks at and judges this situation. Let's fully address your assumption that the "Church teaches suicide was an unforgivable sin." That assumption is wrong. The only unforgivable sin is the sin against the Holy Spirit. Mark 3:29 reads, "Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies that people utter will be forgiven them. But whosoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness but is guilty of an everlasting sin." Speaking on this verse, "
Suicide
will be forgiven because suicide is the last desperate act of a
person not in control of their life and world, therefore unable to
make a FREE WILL choice to sin. They are overwhelmed and do not
have the clear mind or conscious to stop the series of actions that
led to taking their own life. The only sin that will not be
forgiven, a sin that breaks one's relationship with God for all
eternity, is the sin against the Holy Spirit. That is when a person
closes ALL doors, any kind of access to themselves, to God's
forgiveness and mercy". Clementi may have, at the last seconds of his life asked for forgiveness for taking his life. There is no way to know. We must pray that God in His mercy has taken Clementi into His almighty arms and is even now comforting him. We cannot know God's mind. The rules for suicide lay in God's hands only. We cannot make judgment because we cannot see the end or the state of Clementi's mental anguish. As for Ravi, the roommate, we do not know what road he will take for his actions. But God knows. Again we must leave this in the hands of God. People change. People suffer consequences for their actions. His road will not be easy. And the conscience deals with self righteous behavior. He will have to live with the knowledge that he caused someone to end his life. Unless he repents and ask for forgiveness, he will have this death on his conscience for the rest of his life. Can he ask for forgiveness? Yes, he can. Can he get it? Yes, he can. The loving God we serve sees it all; He sees the big picture. He saw Clementi who was in a state of anguish and his sad distraught and He saw Ravi's betrayal. He sees Ravi who may or may not be sorry. We cannot know. Leave this in the hands of God. We must not make judgments. We can only move forward in our own faith, making sure as best we can to live as Jesus Christ taught us. Judgment belongs to God alone. God's peace be with you always as you strive to do God's Will. -CatholicView Staff CatholicView Staff: My husband forces me to have sex sometimes. He doesn't consider it wrong. I don't withhold sex from him, but sometimes I say no if I'm tired or hurting. He says sometimes I get my way and sometimes he does. Should I obey him in all things? We don't use any birth control and have 6 children. I forgive him after a while, but when it first happens I feel resentful toward him and it makes me feel like I can't pray. Can you help me? - Andrea Dear Andrea: I am so sorry that you are having intimacy problems within your marriage. A husband must respect a wife's needs and she, his. The husband must respect a wife if she are tired or not feeling well because he loves her and is seeing beyond his own needs. Taking care of the household and six children will sometimes put sexual feelings on hold, and this should be honored. On the other hand, if a husband comes home from work harried, tired, and worried about something that occurred at his workplace, the wife should not insist on having sex. Forcing someone against their wishes weakens the sacred bonds of the marriage. It does not show the love the spouse wants; rather it destroys an important part of that bond. I would highly suggest you go and speak to your priest. Try to get your husband to go with you. He will offer suggestions which will be beneficial to you both. In the meantime, please pray about this situation. God bless you, Andrea. - CatholicView Staff CatholicView Staff: May a Catholic be a godparent for a non-catholic in a non-catholic baptism? - J.F. Reed Dear J.F.: It is the duty and responsibility of perspective godparents to raise the child in their faith. A Catholic as godparent to a non-Catholic child cannot fulfill the necessary duties of raising the child in their faith. But the Catholic person can be a witness to the baptism, but only together with a Protestant godparent who can share their own faith with the child. God bless. - CatholicView Staff CatholicView Staff: Can the sin of incest be forgiven in confession, or is this considered an unforgiveable offense? - John John: Yes, the sin of incest can be forgiven by God,
providing the person repents, is truly sorry and promises never to
commit this mortal sin again. The unforgivable sin is when man persists in turning away from God. Mark 3:29 tells us, "All sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin". Mark 3:29. If one dies in this self-imposed state of being unrepentant, he cannot be saved. Matthew 12:31-32 says " So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come." Hope this helps. - CatholicView Staff CatholicView Staff: Will a woman who has had an abortion be allowed into heaven..?? Nick Nick: If a woman has an abortion and asks God for forgiveness, it will be granted to her. No matter how grave the sin, God forgives if the person truly repents, promising never to repeat the sin, that person is forgiven. That is the gift of forgiveness Jesus Christ freely gives to all who believe in Him. Please use the link to a CatholicView article on forgiveness: "TAKING BACK YOUR PAST" -CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: My partner is divorced. We want to get married but, I want to get married by church too. When he got married by Church with his previous partner, neither of them had done their confirmation. They just promised they would do it after getting married. Never did it. Was his marriage by Church valid? Can we marry by church if he makes his confirmation first? Dear Norma: Thank you for your question. If your fiancé was married in the Catholic Church, the marriage was valid. You see, the validity of the Sacrament of Marriage does not depend on the Sacrament of Confirmation. Your fiancé will have to get an annulment from his first marriage before proceeding to the second marriage in the Church. In the eyes of the Church, he is still married to the first wife. Please discuss this matter with your parish priest. May the Lord bless you. - CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: When Jesus said in one of his last breaths, "Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing". Was he also talking about Judas too? No where in the bible does it talk about forgiving Judas for what he did. Not even when he came back for 40 days? I would think this would have been kind of important since he does teach about " Forgiveness". Dear Mike: There is nothing in
the bible that addresses this issue directly. Luke 23:34 tells,
"Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they
do." and this includes those who betrayed Him, brought Him to trial,
beat him, put a crown of thorns on His Heads and crucified Him. I
think Jesus would include Judas in this also as Judas realized his
terrible sin at the end of his life. Although we are not judges,
we know Jesus died to gain forgiveness for each one of us.
CatholicView Staff: I have struggled with being scrupulous about sin ever since I was in about the 3rd. grade. When does talking about someone to a friend or relative become a mortal sin. In conversations it is hard not to discuss family problems with friends. Joyce: Gossiping or talking about someone becomes sinful if we deliberately spread untruths, speculations, slander, or lies about someone, and it becomes harmful to that person. In the context of your letter, I do not believe speaking of family or friends in a Christian manner as you say, is a sin. Generally, when speaking to a friend or relation to simply get a loving opinion or to share good news is not harmful, and therefore is not sinful. Here is a link to this subject written by Father John Diezten: http://www.holynamespringfield.org/pages/Gossip.htm -CatholicView Staff CatholicView Staff: I wonder if you can advise me on what to do here? My sister in law has moved into a new house with a 12 year old child who is troubled: he hears voices. My dead brother's birthday fell last Wednesday and the child was very edgy. My sister in law heard the TV switching on and got out of bed to investigate and found the child crying in bed. She went through to switch off the television and came back to comfort the child. The TV switched back on again and continued to switch on every time she switched it off. My sister in law then started to hear voices too. She took the child into her bed and held him until he eventually fell asleep. She has spoken to neighbors and ruled out noise coming through air ducts etc. I think it would be good for them to have the house blessed or something like that. How do we proceed? Can you tell me. Neither the child nor the mother are Catholic, would this be a problem in terms of getting help from the Church? Many thanks for any help given. God bless you. - Kerry Dear Kerry: Thank you for your question. I am assuming that the television was checked out and was not faulty. I agree that you must speak with your parish priest and have him go to the house and offer a blessing and a prayer. Simply call and tell the receptionist you would like to speak with a priest. I would also suggest that your sister-in-law go to the room and place a bible there, praying a simple prayer asking that God bless the room with His Almighty Spirit and send His peace to dwell within that room. May the Lord bless you and your family. -CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: I have social phobia and panic disorder with agoraphobia. These ailments prevent me from leaving my home. I have a great desire for the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. How can I still be faithful and Catholic? Dear Trey: Call your local parish and ask to speak with a priest, explaining your need. Explain that you desire the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Remember you can receive communion each Sunday if you notify your parish. The Minister of the Eucharist will come each Sunday, bring communion and will spend time sharing the readings with you if you ask for it. Have your local Church arrange to have these Sacraments. May God bless you always. -CatholicView Staff CatholicView Staff: I have been married to the most beautiful man for 2 years. I could not survive without him or my children. The other night in a drunken stupor, I committed adultery. I did not sleep with him, but came close. Is it a sin to not tell my husband? I don't want to hurt him. - Meg Meg: You were on the threshold of very serious sin but you were not in a clear state of mind. This happened during the influence of alcohol which was in itself an occasion of sin. Ask God to forgive and help you to avoid drinking that weakens normal resolve. The bible speaks of excessiveness and you must avoid this at all costs since it can lead you into further into regrettable mortal sin. As for telling your husband, you must examine your conscience and decide this for yourself. If you confess this to your husband, there may be penalties that could destroy your marriage. Your husband may feel that you betrayed your marriage by your behavior. Please see your parish priest. And pray and ask the Lord for His forgiveness and the strength to go talk to your priest. He will advise you further. I will pray that you find courage and strength to always be watchful of your alcohol tendencies. God go with you. - CatholicView Staff Father Kevin: Why does there seem to me so much contradiction in scripture in the Bible. For example, it is stated that Jesus died for our sins and as believers we are all blessed with eternal life...then you read about the man that ignored Lazarus or it being harder for a rich man to enter Heaven then pass through the eye of a needle, etc. How can God be so loving and yet so authoritative at the same time? - Noel Noel: The parable of the rich man applies to people who may, in the pursuit of riches, sometimes neglect the very thing they need to pursue and that is salvation. It is a parable that shows that this life is just a way station to prepare for eternity. We cannot take riches to heaven. Money is not our all and all and cannot save us from damnation. Of course we need it for survival. But once we die, it is all over. IF we are too busy amassing fortunes to give God worship and adhere to His teachings, He will be too busy to give us eternal life. We will be doomed as the rich man in the parable was. God is a loving God. Without His mercy and His love we have nothing. He loves so much that He sent His Son to die for us because we were born into sin and needed cleansing. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ and our acceptance of His Almighty Gift is the only thing that can give us eternal life. It is His free gift to all who have faith in Him. As to the authority of God: He is the creator of this entire universe. He created it and He created us. Doesn't this mean He has full authority over humanity? He has breathed His very essence of life into you and I. Without Him we are nothing. Without his grace, we have nothing. Without His love, we are nothing. He deserves and is entitled to His Divine Authority. Through faith, we have everything. Hope this helps. -CatholicView Staff
CatholicView Staff: I have been married for over 27 years and love my husband and family, however I have become emotionally attached to a member of my parish that I have to work with closely. Nothing physical has taken place, but I know it is emotional adultery that I must confess. What should I say in confession and what would my penance be. Should we stop all contact at the parish even though it will look strange and suspicious? Thank you and the peace of Christ be with you. - Teri
Dear Terri: Do not be concerned what others see if you break off contact with this member of the parish. It is better to set things right with God and your conscience, for your soul is at stake. Just be cordial but add distance between yourself and this member. He will notice and step back too. As to what you will say in the confessional, pray about this and simply tell the truth. Each priest is different as to penance. You must avoid the occasion of sin and be thankful for your blessing of family. Ask the Lord, through prayer, to give you strength and forgiveness and make things right with your Church. Please do not delay. Go and see your priest
and be honest. He will not be shocked for he has heard many similar
confessions. Hold your head high and move forward. God loves you
and will forgive you. You will then find peace and harmony within
yourself. CatholicView Staff My mother died and left me enough money to buy a home. I am probably going to prison for 9 years very soon. My 3rd wife and I have been together for 4 yrs. I want to put the home in my name only or legally protect through a trust so that should she divorce me the home remains my sole property. Is this wrong? - Matt Matt: I am so sorry to hear that you lost you mother recently. You ask if it is wrong to legally protect the home you bought with money your mother left you should your wife divorce you while you are in prison. I can understand that you are uncertain of your future as you are going to prison for a long term. CatholicView is not qualified to give legal advice. In a marriage, generally one spouse who accumulates monies, properties, etc. during the marriage is shared by both parties. However, you seem uncertain of your wife and what the future holds for your marriage. If you are concerned, I would speak to an attorney about leaving the home in trust for your children if you have any, or find out about legal protection should your wife divorce you while you are in prison. It seems that you want to do the right thing. I think it is a matter of conscience and I applaud that. May God go with you during this uncertain time. I will pray for you. -CatholicView Staff CatholicView staff: In Isaiah 14:12 to 14:13 in the New Living Translation and also in God's Word Translation at the end it says, "I will take my place upon the mountain the meeting place of the gods". There is only one God so why does it use the word Gods plural here? Also Lucifer in Latin means bringer of light but God is also referred to as the bringer of light. I'm very confused. - Jeffrey Jeffrey: Thank you for writing about this most interesting passage from the book of Isaiah. The passage from Isaiah 14: 12-14 reads as follows from the New Living Translation: 12 “How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world. 13 For you said to yourself, ‘I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north. 14 I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.’ Jeffrey, this passage is speaking of Satan who was thrown out of heaven along with those who followed Satan who wanted to embraced Satan's desire to be gods. Satan was God's favored angel. But Satan was
not happy. He wanted to be a god like Almighty God. He said,
‘I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars. I
will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north.
14 I will climb to the highest heavens and be
like the Most High.’, meaning being a god like Almighty God.
Hope this clears things up for you. God bless
you in your quest for knowledge.
TO CONTINUE TO PAST "ASK A PRIEST" QUESTIONS CLICK HERE
MORE OCTOBER ANSWERS WILL BE COMING SOON
Please use the link at the top left side of this page
|
