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Jeremy, on May 21, 2026 at 3:50 pm said:

Hello, Father Joe, this is a follow up question on the level of demonic activity in Hollywood, I would like to ask is it increasing? And how bad is it.

Thank you

FATHER JOE: I have no firsthand evidence, only the recent public testimonies of such and the rotten fruit of so much media.
Jeremykwanhong Kok, on April 15, 2026 at 12:48 am said:

Hello, Father Joe, I would like to ask what does it mean in Lumen Gentium 25 when we are called to offer a “religious submission of mind and will” to the authentic Magisterium of the Roman Pontiff, even when he is not speaking ex cathedra?

Could you give some examples?

The second question is what are the various types of issues that we do not need to agree with the pope since they are not in line with the College of Bishops and the Magisterium?

Thank you

FATHER JOE:

Lumen Gentium 25 speaks of a lesser form of consent than that required toward extraordinary infallible statements of the Holy See. The “religious submission of mind and will” is a form of respect or obedience to the general authority of the Pope, even when speaking about ordinary and non-infallible matters. We treat as true what the Pope teaches since he is always the authoritative magisterium. This notion is closely aligned to obedience to lawful authority. Most matters the Pope teaches upon remain with the deposit of faith and are generally regarded as infallible, even without definitive statements from the Holy See. Christian doctrine emerges from Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture. Historically the Church has sorted out convoluted or contested topics by having the bishops assemble in council and invoking the Holy Spirit. Remember the magisterium is the Pope and those bishops who teach in communion with him. We render “religious assent or obedience” to what the Pope teaches (presuming it is true) even when he does not speak “ex cathedra” (infallibly) about matters of faith, morals and doctrine. The few infallible statements made from the chair by the Pope must be given an “assent of faith,” whereby we fully embrace them in intellect and will. This would include the two Marian dogmas. It should be noted that we do not simply follow men but Christ who has appointed men as his shepherds. We make various assents of faith, as over the statements of belief in the Nicene Creed.

An example to a lesser papal teaching would be the question about whether the Virgin Mary died or not. The Eastern churches refer to her falling asleep. Various Western authorities merely say that at the end of her life she ascended into heaven. The issue was that Mary was sinless and death is a consequence of sin. However, Cardinal Newman and others thought she did indeed die, but that she remained incorruptible and was translated, body and soul, into heaven. The late Pope John Paul II argued that she accepted death to be like her Son. Religious assent means we would “treat as true” the Pope’s view and would not make any kind of public clash about it. Having said this, such a teaching would not absolutely tie the hands of any future Pope.

While giving general principles or speaking to universal values, the Church generally leaves civil matters to the various heads of states. However, the pope along with his bishops is always the magisterium. We might also disagree with various practical matters given that the Vatican state is also a political entity with its own bank, etc. There is no certain divine protection of a pope’s pragmatic or day-to-day decisions. Popes can make mistakes, as we have seen in certain episcopal appointments.
forsamuraimarket, on April 14, 2026 at 10:35 pm said:

Dear Father Joe,

I just wanted to share with you an experience in the confessional.

I already shared this with you last year! But I wanted to give an update.

So my mother has gambling addiction. For 2 decades, yes twenty years, I was solving all of her problems with money. There was a lot of pleading, begging, asking her to stop. There was also a lot of yelling and screaming.

Then in April 2025, after discovering that she has another huge amounts of debts that she and her creditors are expecting me to pay, I just snapped and “excommunicated” my mother. I couldn’t stand her manipulation and the harrassment that I was getting from her creditors.

So I went to confession. It was a young priest who told me that I still need to be gentle to my mother and still find ways to help her. I was suffocating inside the confessional but I needed the absolution so I shut up. I didn’t argue. I just accepted his words.

After the confession, I realized I was feeling resentful and annoyed. So I went again to confession a week later and this time an elderly priest heard my confession. He said, “I am proud of you that you are ending the cycle of codependency.”

Codependency – a word that I thought priests are clueless about.

One year later, I am reflecting on the events and I think that even if priests are In Persona Christi, they are still humans.

The young priest (late 20s or max 30) was very idealistic and hopeful. Maybe he has a great mother too. Maybe he was projecting on me.

Maybe he was right. Maybe when I die, God will say, “Why didn’t you extend your patience with your mother?”

I still don’t want contact with my mother to be honest.

Father, to be honest, all my life, I tried my best to obey the 4th commandment and in the end I still failed. I know that God is merciful. But I can’t persevere anymore. If God gives me the grace to persevere till the end, does it mean that I have refused the grace?

Praying for your health and safety, padre.

Thank you.
forsamuraimarket, on April 12, 2026 at 1:09 am said:

Dear Father,

May I ask if it’s okay to resist Born Again protestants when they insist that we only need “faith alone through Christ alone?”

They use this verse Ephesians 2:8-9 to prove that good works are not necessary.

I find this scandalous? It’s not because I don’t believe that in that verse. I just think they ignore a mountain of verses that tell us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling.

What I know about my catholic faith is that all is grace. I can do good works because God provides the grace.

But Born Again colleague quoted Ephesians 2:8-9 and I must shut up? I couldn’t speak because he was quoting the bible. And if I disagree then I am rejecting God’s grace?

For context, there are Born Again groups in Manila and they are using celebrities to promote this idea of “faith alone through Christ alone.”

And it’s becoming popular? I mean… it’s so easy to promote a slogan: “Faith Alone through Christ Alone”

But what I learned from my Elementary catechism is that Satan has faith alone but he doesn’t like good works that’s why he is an enemy of God.

I don’t like how Born Agains are spreading the Gospel of Faith Alone. They always portray catholics as UNSAVED which I find funny and annoying at the same time. And they are using celebrities to promote this twisted idea of “faith alone without good works.”

Am I sinning? How to approach this? I am thinking maybe just agree that we are saved by God’s grace but I can’t accept the “faith alone” part. It makes me angry and resentful that Ephesians 2:8-9 is being misused?

Next time I encounter a born again quoting Ephesians 2:8-9 to prove that works are irrelevant, how to respond in a way that I don’t sin.

Have a blessed feast day of Divine Mercy, padre.

Thank you.

FATHER JOE: You are dealing with ignorance and bigotry backed up with money from American evangelicals. Debate if you are qualified (many Catholics are not) and if you want to do so but remember that they do not play fair. You are also free to tell them to mind their own business. As a qualification, the devil really does not have faith as he fully “knows” that God exists and that Jesus is his Son and our Savior. Of course, what the devil knows, he still rejects. He refuses to pay homage to the Lord. He has a particular hatred for Mary as she has what he has forever forfeited, divine grace.
Jeremykwanhong Kok, on April 6, 2026 at 10:28 pm said:

Hello, and peace be with you Father Joe, I would like to ask what is real truth behind the dispute between Catholics and Jews regarding the Talmud and indeed, the Talmud does contain blasphemous writings about Jesus and Mary and was ordered to be destroyed by popes and kings like Saint Louis IX, what is the reality behind it?

Thank you

FATHER JOE: The Talmud contains a few negative or mocking passages about Jesus. The Jews sought to contrast themselves against a rapidly growing Christianity. The Church sought to censor it.
SRF, on March 31, 2026 at 12:29 pm said:

Hi Fr Joe

I have been discerning joining the cloistered carmel and in fact have stayed with then for the come and see program for nearly 4.5 months. During my stay I had a lot of struggle, sometimes with the sisters. However all ended well when I was out.

I had a strong opinion this life was for me but after the struggle with the sisters I was relieved to be out from there.

But since I was interested only in the cloistered life I am not discerning marriage. But I was too scared to return there because of the experience.

However I loved the lifestyle and daily routine of the cloistered nuns.

Now a catholic priest who was praying for me got an inspiration from God that I should not go back there. He was strongly convinced and got the message that even if I do go I would return.

At first I felt relieved that God gave me an answer. But cloistered carmel is whole day on my mind. The whole lifestyle, chanting of the divine office, the chores. I really miss them. If I was at peace with the particular sisters I surely would have gone back.

I am currently not working as I left my job to join carmel. Also the job was really stressful. The priest has also told me not to go back to that job, which I would even then do the same.

Father do you have any words of advice on my discernment.

Thanking you in advance.

FATHER JOE: I would not be as presumptuous as your priest-friend in telling you what you should and should not do. If you have discerned a religious vocation then that will include the routine associated with that state of life as well as living in community. There are few ideal situations and even the Little Flower suffered much from other nuns.
Jeremy Kok, on March 29, 2026 at 6:38 am said:

Hello, Father Joe, I would like to ask why is demonic influence increasing in Hollywood? And how prevalent has it been.

FATHER JOE: Is it increasing or has always been there and just stopped hiding?
Barbara King, on March 29, 2026 at 5:08 am said:

There is a illegal market in cigarettes in Australia .

I’m sorry I can’t make my question clear .What I am trying to ask is if I report them and they take revenge on someone else is that my fault .?

thanks for trying to help .

FATHER JOE: Is it a just law or is the legal system over-reaching? If the law is necessary then good citizens have an obligation to report wrong doing.
Barbara King, on March 19, 2026 at 4:11 am said:

Thank you Father, I am not afraid to report lawbreakers, as it is anonymous, but that they will take revenge on some one else thinking they reported on them.

The law breaking is illegal cigarettes and involves big money.

FATHER JOE: I still fail to see the link between you reporting and another taking blame. Where are you that there is a criminal market in cigarettes? I grew up in a state where we grew our own tobacco.
Ben Kirk, on March 18, 2026 at 12:31 pm said:

Hi Father Joe,

I am writing to request your assistance in clarifying a question/ problem. I’m engaged to be married to a wonderful lady. I read that kissing can be a mortal sin. I talked to her about it and she is hurt/upset. She thinks I’m being over-scrupulous about this. She’s a little afraid that if I’m scrupulous about this what will I think of when we’re married. I don’t want to hurt her over have an emotional barrier in our relationship. Can you provide me some guidance about when unmarried kissing becomes a sin and how to handle this.

Thank you,

Ben

FATHER JOE: French kissing for singles is discouraged as it ignites the passions and often leads to sexual intercourse outside of marriage.
Jeremy Kok, on March 17, 2026 at 5:00 pm said:

Hello Father Joe, I would like to ask what is the difference between the imperfect resurrection (those whom Jesus raise from the dead during his ministry and passion) and the final resurrection?

Secondly, the Book of Revelation spoke of two types of resurrection, could you kindly elaborate them?

Thank you

FATHER JOE:

What are the two resurrections in the Book of Revelation?

Do not get caught up in the millennium symbolism. It simply refers to the time between the first coming of Christ and his second coming (to judge the nations). The first resurrection refers to the sacrament of baptism. It is through faith and baptism that we are “born again.” This is spiritual regeneration. The second resurrection comes with the consummation of all things in Christ, the resurrection of the dead. This is one and the same as the final judgment. This is a corporal regeneration wherein souls of saints will be rejoined to glorified bodies. The souls of the just will rise to eternal life. The damned will suffer eternal perdition (a second death or alienation from almighty God).

What is the difference between imperfect resurrection and final resurrection?

Those raised by Christ like the little girl, the widowed mother’s only son and Lazarus were restored to mortal life. It is similar but not entirely the same as resuscitation. Unlike final resurrection, they are still subject to the frailty of the flesh and will die again. The final resurrection will make us immortal, and we will have glorified bodies. We will never die again.
Barbara, on March 10, 2026 at 1:45 am said:

Fr, what do you do if you want to report law breakers anonymously but are afraid they will take revenge in someone else because they don’t know who reported them

FATHER JOE: What laws were broken? As long as the laws are just, we all have a responsible to be law abiding citizens. Sometimes we must be courageous in doing what must be done.

.

.
forsamuraimarket, on March 8, 2026 at 3:00 am said:

Father, am I excused for not going to Holy Mass when I have cough? My throat is so itchy and I cough every minute it’s embarrassing. It’s not an exaggeration. I will still confess this. I am just not sure about the policy of the Catholic Church.

Every time I have cough, I still go to Mass and stay outside the church and just listen. There is a big TV outside the church so I can still see what is going on inside.

But this time I am making a decision not to go to Mass today, 3.8.2026. I choose to rest and I just finished praying the rosary.

Maybe I will still go later. But in this moment, I feel like a robot. If I go, it’s just because I need to go not because I want to.

Thank you, padre. Praying for your good health.

FATHER JOE: We should go to Sunday Mass when possible. If we are sick, then we are excused.
Mac Y, on March 4, 2026 at 7:58 pm said:

When we returned to the Church after years of Protestantism and its teachings, we had a clash with our old friends that was awful. At the time, we did not cursed them or anything but I think it was a bit messed up. I regret that we didn’t end our friendship on good terms, and now feel exhausted about these feelings. It has been a year or more since we last spoke and I know they are still angry with us. Do you have any advice about what I should do? Should I let go of these feelings? Is it a sin that one soul wants to be past it and forget?

FATHER JOE: Are they angry with you because of the return to Catholic faith? If so then you have nothing for which to feel guilty. The problem is theirs, not yours. Let them know that you still love them and pray for them. Be courteous if they contact you. That is about all you can do.
Jeremy Kok, on February 15, 2026 at 12:01 pm said:

Hello, Father Joe, I would like to ask when it comes to inculturation of faith what is the correct and false version?

Thank you

FATHER JOE: Whatever takes us away from Christ and the Church is the false version.
Anonymous, on February 5, 2026 at 3:35 pm said:

Thank you for your answer about unwanted thoughts. It’s a great relief to realize that this is a consequence of scrupulousness and not an obligation. I wanted to clarify whether I should stop doing a hobby because it might trigger thoughts of promising something to God (even though I have no intention of making a promise but the obsessive thought gives a promise (maybe)). After all, you’re aware of the risk of having the thought of promising something but you still do this hobby

FATHER JOE: We should not be controlled or in bondage to such things.
forsamuraimarket, on February 3, 2026 at 9:12 pm said:

Dear Padre, Is it okay to think that Johann Tetzel was a shrewd manager? Don’t we have beautiful cathedrals because of him? I mean the commodification of the indulgence was wrong. Yes, but so is the prosperity gospel of the Protestants. Between the 2 (selling of indulgences and prosperity gospel), prosperity gospel doesn’t serve humanity. Tetzel’s error benefits us up to this day. Was he stripped of his priesthood? Why we don’t call him Father Tetzel?

I understand that
1. Grace is free and unmerited
2. Salvation is not for sale
But I honestly think that those who purchased indulgence from Father Tetzel hit the jackpot. Because God did not blame the laity for clergy error, right? God honored the “sale” and maybe added years in Father Tetzel’s purgatorial time.

Do I understand my Catholic faith in this particular topic? I think Father Tetzel is a perfect example of the shrewd manager parable. Do we have a canonized saint who is a role model for being the shrewd manager? Thank you, padre. I pray for your good health and safety.

FATHER JOE:

While a percentage of the funds raised by Friar Tetzel Johann Tetzel, OP, went to St. Peter’s Basilica, the cathedrals as such were not the fruit of simony or the abuse of indulgences. Half of the money that Tetzel brought in went to the Archbishop of Mainz. Just as in the case of the prosperity gospel, such exploitation leads to ministers lining their pockets at the cost to believers, notably the poor. Cathedrals were principally the result of generous pilgrims and hardworking artisans who sacrificed or employed their skills and hard work for the Church. That is the bottom line. The ends do not justify the means.

Tetzel rightly taught that for the living, indulgences made possible a remission of temporal punishment due to sin, not that they mitigated actual guilt. Despite the slander against him, he did not monetarily sell any forgiveness of sin or absolution for money. Indulgences for the living, then and now, only apply to those have already gone to confession and have received absolution. The problem with his teaching had to do with indulgences for the dead. He assumed that a monetary offering alone was sufficient. However, this was not the teaching of the Church.
Anonymous, on February 1, 2026 at 7:26 am said:

Hello Father Joe,

I have a question about situations when you realize that unwanted (or even sinful) thoughts may appear. For example, a person is engaged in some activity (neutral in itself), but because of obsessive thoughts he begins to think about promising something to God (as a reflex), but the person understands the absurdity of the thought, but it is obsessive. Would it be a sin to continue doing that work knowing that you might have thoughts about the promise?

There’s another question on the same topic. If a person deals with people of the opposite gender, but not with the intention of lustful thoughts, but is aroused by, for example, appearance or something else not vulgar. A person knows that he will get aroused, but this is not his goal and he has no sinful desires. Will it be a sin for this person to talk to members of the opposite gender?

FATHER JOE:

Unwanted or fleeting thoughts either do not constitute sin or at most would be venial. The custody of the eyes, for instance, is a matter of concern for many who would maintain charity and modesty. However, we are fallen and we must sometimes dismiss the beast to give ground to the rational animal. Feelings influence our thoughts, but we need discipline and control. Sins can be committed in thought, word or deed but gravity requires some deliberation. You might become angry with someone over a slight or injustice, and while there may be a fleeting thought of retaliation or revenge, the mature believer should be disciplined enough to dismiss certain thoughts and to remain in control of actions. The admonition of the Gospel is to forgive and to love. This is in direct opposition to thoughts of violence or manipulation for personal ends. The notion that any affiliation, even chaste, with those of the opposite sex should be avoided because of lustful thoughts is ridiculous and representative of a scrupulosity that is disordered and clinical.

As for promises made to God, they should never be capricious and if virtuous, they should be kept. But my presumption is that the person is mentally sound. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is a mental disease that plagues certain people and such ailments mitigate moral culpability. Indeed, it damages one’s faculty to make good decisions and to act responsibly. It impedes both our relationship with God and with others. Repetitively acting out on compulsions might reduce stress but the problem remains. What you describe as intrusive thoughts seems symptomatic of this psychological dilemma. Such can interfere with one’s secular and spiritual life. While prayer can be beneficial, I would also urge therapy and/or possible medication. It is sad but true that aberrant religiosity can fuel such maladies. The issue one has is not with God but with oneself.
Michael J, on January 28, 2026 at 3:47 pm said:

Father:

Before my reconversion to the Catholic faith 11 years ago, I suffered from a life long addiction to pornography. At the moment of my reconversion, the desire to use visual stimulation was immediately removed and I have not been really tempted that way for many years. However, God did leave me with the struggle to change my thinking and begin seeing women as they ought to be respected and my growth in chastity over that time is now very close to completion. I have since offered myself to my spouse in Holy Matrimony in a Catholic church and gotten married. My wife and I are very concerned to avoid any sexual practices that might be offensive to the natural law. However, we have had a difficult struggle trying to find a reputable Catholic moral source on what sexual practices are fully acceptable within the bonds of matrimony. We want to give each other excitement and pleasure but get very confused about what is acceptable behavior and what is not. We follow all the basic rules: no ejaculations outside her proper vas; no oral or anal sex, (we are past the age of reproduction so we don’t worry about contracepting); no masturbation; etc. We have one special condition: she has had a full hysterectomy and the scars prevent her from having vaginal penetration orgasms due to fear of pain. Am I allowed to manually stimulate her to orgasm as preparation for intercourse so she can experience orgasm, or is that a form of masturbation? The issues that confuse us are those of sexual preparation for intercourse. Can she gently stroke my maleness with her hand to excite and prepare me? Can I put my maleness between her breasts which is exciting for both of us? These are really the only issues we have left to resolve. It has been terribly difficult finding reliable magisterial guidance on these types of issues. Please help! We just need a properly vetted and magisterially approved set of guidelines so we don’t fall into sin. Thank you

FATHER JOE:

I hear that these books are useful:

Holy Sex!: A Catholic Guide to Toe-Curling, Mind-Blowing, Infallible Loving by Dr. Gregory Popcak

Good News About Sex & Marriage by Christopher West
Jeremy Kok, on January 23, 2026 at 4:08 am said:

Hello, Father Joe, I would like to ask about what is the real truth behind the Amityville haunting and was the house really haunted?

FATHER JOE: I cannot say. I did here that at one point that a large Hispanic Catholic family moved into the house and afterwards there were no issues. The joke was that the kids were so rambunctious that they chased the demon out.
Mike Zias, on January 21, 2026 at 11:06 pm said:

Hello Fr. Joe.

Given the customs of Mary’s time I wonder how well she would have known Joseph before the marriage. Also, given timelines mentioned in the biblical readings does it seem likely she was present at John the Baptists birth?

FATHER JOE: She spent about three months and probably left just before the birth.
Jeremy Kok, on January 20, 2026 at 2:59 am said:

Hello, Father Joe have you heard of this particular heresy called Collyridianism? Which is essentially a heresy that adored our Blessed Mother Mary as a goddess originating from pre-Islamic Arabia somewhere in the 4th century AD and it is also one of the primary rationales for many Muslim misunderstandings of the Catholic faith, they literally believed that the Trinity also included Mary based on this particular heresy and is the source for all Islamic assumptions about the Trinity since then.

Currently, how prevalent is this heresy among Muslims until now?

FATHER JOE: It is an error that appears in their religious book, the Koran.
Winter, on January 13, 2026 at 11:46 pm said:

Hi Father,

If I can’t fast on Ash Wednesday or Good Friday due to medical reasons, do I need to ask a priest for a dispensation or is the dispensation automatic? Thank you very much.

FATHER JOE: If genuine, it is automatic. However, one should avoid scandalizing other Catholics.
forsamuraimarket, on January 13, 2026 at 4:52 pm said:

Dear Padre,

Shoud I go to confession for this particular sin? And should I consider this mortal or venial?

It’s very embarrassing.

What happened:

I went to a massive religious event called Nazarene Feast.

With over 9 million people participating.. the crowd was thick and I was overwhelmed. It was my 10th or 11th year of going to this fiesta in Quiapo Church.

I was following the crowd and I honestly didn’t know what to do next. The marshall yelled “4 lines” and I got scared so I squizzed myself into the crowd.

A woman suddenly yelled at me very angrily for cutting lines.
1. I honestly genuinely didn’t intend to cut lines. That is not my character.
2. It is still my fault and I am taking accountability. But because of instinct, I whispered to her or said in a low voice “I’ve been here” and the more that she got angrier and yelled again at me ” No, you’re not!”
3. It was very embarrassing. I walked away with my head down as everyone was looking at us.
So it’s a sin to cut lines. I understand. But my mind wants to categorize it as venial. Is this correct?

But the whole event I couldn’t focus on thanking and praising God 😦 I was in tears and still thinking of the incident. I felt like a terrible human.

And even the next 3 days I was still feeling sore/burnt of the embarrassing incident. It was eating me. Is this pride, father?

I think this sin is mortal, right?

But also in my mind, I just went to confession last Dec 29 , 2025 and if this is venial, I will just wait for March 2025 which is my next schedule of confession.

Thank you, Padre. I pray for your good health.

FATHER JOE: The lady should have been charitable to you. You intended nothing wrong. Let it go.
Jeremy Kok, on January 11, 2026 at 7:49 am said:

Thank you father for the answer, here is a follow up question, could the animal skins also be a type of judgement or justice experienced by Adam and Eve after the Fall? Since they lost the clothing of original grace and justice.

FATHER JOE: It has been so argued.

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