Ask a Priest

5,442 Responses

Chet, on June 2, 2017 at 10:18 pm said:

Hi Father,
I married a Protestant woman in a Protestant church without dispensation. We have been attending a Protestant church for most of our marriage, but I want to come back into full communion with the Catholic Church. However, she wants nothing to do with the Catholic Church and thinks it is silly that we need to get our marriage validated. Can I still return to full communion with the Church and receive the Eucharist, even if she is not willing to have our marriage validated?

God bless,
Chet

FATHER JOE: The only possible option you have is the following: (Canon 1161) “The radical sanation of an invalid marriage is its convalidation without the renewal of consent, which is granted by competent authority and entails the dispensation from an impediment, if there is one, and from canonical form, if it was not observed, and the retroactivity of canonical effects.”
Francis, on June 2, 2017 at 6:52 pm said:

Dear Father Joe, I recently asked a similar question but I still have a few concerns: in my previous question, I mentioned that I took an electronic quiz in class, which I was not supposed to do. At the time, I did not realize I was breaking the rules, and, to the best of my knowledge, the grade I received on those two quizzes would have been the same had I not unintentionally broken the rules, that is to say, it made no difference. With this, and the fact that it was an accident, would it be sinful to not inform my professor of what I did?

Thank you very much

FATHER JOE: You cannot accidentally sin.
Samantha, on June 1, 2017 at 5:09 am said:

Hi Father,

My husband doesn’t believe in God anymore. He’s in physical pain and I have mental health issues and had a miscarriage. He says he cant believe in someone who could be so cruel and he is sick of good natured people suffering and those with not so good intentions being rewarded.

I tried to explain the merit in suffering and illustrated this through the cross and Mary’s suffering at seeing her son crucified and explained suffering does not mean He doesn’t love us as he certainly loves Mary and Jesus. I used the words from Jesus ‘if you were of this world they would love you but because you are not of this world they will hate you’. I had a terrible childhood which caused my mental health issues and I explained to him I offer up my suffering each day to help save souls and that my reward will be great in heaven. I explained from my perspective our baby was chosen to be a saint in heaven and to be spared the suffering in this life.

I pray for his conversion every day. I feel responsible due to my mental health issues affecting his quality of life. Is there something I should do? I am trying to be especially kind to him and have asked him if he would come with me to church on my birthday. I am really sad as I married a Catholic man who promised to raise our children in the faith. I am concerned because I have a 2 year old daughter. I will stick by him because his condition is far more fragile than mine I would be dead if I didn’t believe in God I have no idea how he can go on. The truth is though I wouldn’t have married an atheist. How is it possible for him to love his family if he doesn’t love God and now I keep having nightmares about divorce and infidelity because if he doesn’t believe in God what is to stop him? I have a Psychiatrist but talking to him about this would be useless as he doesn’t believe in God either but I just feel so bewildered.

I follow the catechism of the catholic church to the letter of the law and talk about God all the time with him. I attend church at least twice a week and go to confession once a week. I have enrolled him in the Seraphic Mass Association, friends of the suffering souls and others. Should I let go and let God? It really hurts and I cant help but feel pity for him.

FATHER JOE: It sounds to me that you are dealing with things as you should. Do not create demons for yourself that currently do not exist. His pain and disappointment may have distanced him from God but he may still be loyal to you and the child. Continue to love him. Keep him in prayer. Be faithful.
Chris, on May 30, 2017 at 1:48 am said:

Hi Father.Is addiction(food,gambling,sexual content) always considered mortal sin?does we always free will even though we are addicted to food,pornography,sexual content,gambling?What about those who are possessed and require an exorcism? Do they have free-will? If not, does that imply that the devil can take away our free-will?

FATHER JOE:

Moralists are certainly concerned about addictions, but the immediate focus is the sin itself: alcohol, gluttony, reckless use of resources, sexual license, pornography, etc. Indeed, an addiction can impair culpability. The person loses control. Sin has to do with either excess or with misusing a gift from our Creator. Drinking in moderation is not a sin. Our Lord even used wine at his Last Supper. Food is necessary for life. Gambling as in BINGO is an entertainment for many, including the elderly. Sexual relations between a husband and wife further fidelity and make possible the propagation of children. The human body is a masterpiece of design and order. That which is good and holy can be distorted and corrupted.

An addiction weakens the will and can become an illness as in alcoholism where the body develops an insatiable craving for alcoholic sugars. Drug addiction also changes the body and victims may suffer withdrawal. These struggles do not immediately equate to demonic possession with the need for exorcism. However, treatment along with prayer and a trust in God’s power can help such people in finding healing or sobriety. Instead of focusing on the devil, these can be cases where people opt to surrender their freedom and integrity. Afterwards, there is often a real fight to find control and stability. We acknowledge that we are weak and are dependent upon a higher power’s strength and mercy.
Fabio Gonzalez, on May 29, 2017 at 10:43 pm said:

Hello my name is Fabio Gonzalez and I want to ask does God really exist? I’m 15 years old and I’m wondering where’s God when we need him the most and where is he when there’s such evil on this Earth i need an answer.

FATHER JOE:

I wrote a series of posts in response to the so-called Atheist Commandments:

First Commandment / Second Commandment / Third Commandment / Fourth Commandment / Fifth Commandment / Sixth Commandment / Seventh Commandment / Eighth Commandment / Ninth Commandment / Tenth Commandment

Here is an extended discussion or debate about atheism: XTC DEAR GOD, Atheism & Blasphemy.

I also remarked about Msgr. Pope’s post on the subject: Atheism, Blessing without a Source?

Here is another extended discussion:

Christianity versus the New Atheist, part 1

Christianity versus the New Atheist, part 2

Christianity versus the New Atheist, part 3

Christianity versus the New Atheist, part 4

Christianity versus the New Atheist, part 5

Christianity versus the New Atheist, part 6

Christianity versus the New Atheist, part 7
Francis, on May 29, 2017 at 10:08 pm said:

Dear Father,

I have a question: In one of my lecture classes, I worked on online quizzes for that class during the class period. At the time, I did not consciously realize that I was breaking the professor’s rules by taking them in class but subsequently I realized I was. Was I cheating? Do I need to tell my professor that I was cheating? Would it be a mortal sin not to tell him?

Thank you very much.

FATHER JOE: If there were no intention to break a rule or cheat, then it was more an accident than a sin.
Miguel, on May 28, 2017 at 6:30 pm said:

Dear Father,

Last night I went with a few friends for my roommate’s birthday. When we were all coming back, my good friend (a girl) wanted to spend the night and sleep with my roommate. They have been doing this for some time. She did not know how to approach him and so she asked me what she should do. I wanted to directly respond [but fear got the better of me].

She asked if she should directly inquire of his interest or whether she should just come upstairs in the hopes that he would get the hint. I really did not know what to do. She is a good friend and so I did not want to tell her no; so I told her just to come upstairs.

Now, I feel at fault because I helped to facilitate an immoral act. This is causing me much anxiety. Am I in a state of moral sin? Should I go to confession for this?

Thank you.

FATHER JOE: Any complicity in their sin is rather remote and I would suspect that the matter for you is venial. Your friends are of age and their culpability is weightier. Could you have done better? Yes, most certainly you could have. Friends should be able to speak frankly about their values. If there is mutual respect then this should not be a major issue. Let them know that you love them and that you appreciate that they are old enough to make their own decisions. But do not be afraid to share your values about chastity, the essential link between sexual congress and marriage, and the dignity of persons. Do not hide your Christianity.
chris, on May 28, 2017 at 4:42 am said:

shalom.I am having trouble understanding this requirement for a sin to be mortal; full consent of the will that is. What exactly does full consent of the will mean? Does that mean that you actually intend to sin?one more thing,what does full knowledge mean?thanks n God bless

FATHER JOE:

As a Christian we know certain things are right or wrong from the natural law, from divine positive law (Scripture), from Church law and from civil law. Human laws might be flawed, particularly if they conflict with the laws of God and nature. A Catholic takes guidance from the Church. Unnecessarily missing Mass on Sunday through one’s own fault is mortal sin. Most sexual transgressions are a matter of mortal sin. Abortion is a mortal sin. These and other actions are judged as both sinful and mortally so. If you are aware of this as a Catholic then you have sufficient (a better word than full) knowledge.

As for consent, it really is not that difficult to understand. Giving sufficient consent to mortal sin means that you are in control of your actions and you choose to sin anyway.

Let me put it this way. If one were to really reflect upon it, the person committing mortal sin is essentially saying…

“Right here… right now… I choose to disobey Almighty God… no matter what the consequences!”

“No one… not God… not anyone… can tell me what to do!”

“I do not love God or neighbor in any way sufficient to avoid this sin!”

“My sins target Christ on the Cross! Yes, I am a murderer of Christ! And a part of me really does not care!”

When we strip false rationalizations away, this is the cold black-and-white of it.
bryan, on May 27, 2017 at 2:07 pm said:

Dear Father

I promised God 12 years ago that I would live a celibate life as an act of penance. I have kept that penance for 12 years except for one day that I confessed.
Today i was tempted to lust but instead look at a very graphic picture of the passion of Christ and then prayed for world peace and prosperity for 20 minutes this caused me to easily say no to lust
I know monks pray and fast . i pray for humanity 3 hours aday, can my celibacy be offered to make my daily prayers more efectual like monks do with fasting and praying. i am going to repent through celibacy the rest of my life

Respectfuly

Bryan

FATHER JOE:

You are going to repent through celibacy? About what are you repenting? Do you mean that you desire to offer it in reparation for sin?

Celibacy is a form of sacrificial loving. It is a precious element of religious men and women who respond to an evangelical calling. The laity can also pursue a life of Christian celibacy but, as with those pursuing religious vocations, it must always be within the context of a life of prayer, service and charity. This is a hallmark of the celibacy that serves as part of the COURAGE movement founded by my cousin the late Fr. John Harvey for Catholic homosexuals desiring to live a life in conformity with Church teachings. God will give his grace for such a discipline; however, it is not viewed as something negative but as a positive and virtuous way of discipleship. Celibate individuals and married couples may both pursue penance and various acts of mortification. Celibacy itself should be embraced as a joyous gift, not reduced into a difficult means to degrade and to abase the flesh.

Outside of the convent experience, a few women pursue lives as consecrated virgins. There are a few lay organizations where members take yearly promises of celibacy. Embracing Christian celibacy may not be understood by the world, but it is a wonderful gift. More than a lifestyle choice, it is a manner of self-donation. The person centers him or herself upon a relationship with the Lord. The two-fold commandment of Christ comes into play. The love of God uniquely spills over into the love of neighbor. We all need to love. Christian celibacy is more than not having romantic relationships and/or sexual relations. Celibacy is a way of living and expressing our love. I stress this because it is so much more than penance. If a person saw his or her celibacy only as mortification or humiliation, then it would not be genuine Christian celibacy. It cannot be embraced only because the person did not find another of the opposite sex with whom to share his body and life. It cannot be lived out if the person hates himself and does not see himself as lovable. It cannot be followed in truth if the person is afraid of relationships and would prefer to flee them. Celibacy requires strength and courage, not weakness and fear. God does not want us to suffer for the sake of enduring pain. St. Paul told his listeners that it is better to marry than to burn. That is why men called to the celibate priesthood consider the work of a priest and his aloneness and celibate love. If it be too difficult or robs the soul of joy then it is not the vocation and/or the way of loving that God wants for us.
anxious, on May 26, 2017 at 9:32 am said:

Dear Fr Joe,
Today as I was alone in the church as I stood to leave I spotted some little money approximately a dollar. I picked it and my first thought was to keep it since I wouldn’t know the owner. As I got to the back of the church I thought to give it to a poor man but then I panicked and flung it towards the confessional. Now I feel guilty and think that I should place a dollar back around where I picked it tomorrow.
Am sorry to take up your precious time but I do tend to be scrupulous.
I think maybe I should have left the note where I found it.
Please advise.
God bless you father.

FATHER JOE: You flung it towards the Confessional? Then I suppose the priest or someone on staff or maybe someone who needs it will pick it up. Try to let these matters go.
Melissa, on May 26, 2017 at 6:49 am said:

Hello,
I have a weird question. My ex sister in
Law showed up at my brothers funeral asking for a death certificate in order to re new her vows to husband #3 in a Carholic church. I have her one but never got it back. Not to mention ex hub #2 is still alive with her children. I don’t understand why or if she truly needed it. They were only married 1 year and has been 16 years prior. Would divorce papers now have been just fine? And #2 is still alive. This was just a renewal. I need to know if this is true because I heard she kept an insurance policy on my brother. I would have still have given it to her if that was the case. This was 2002 and she is still claiming her oldest child belongs to my brother., even though she placed #2 on the both certificate. Can you help explain why she needed his DC to renew vows? I’m not Carholic but I’m Christian. Any help in this matter is greatly appreciated. I bet this wil go into the “weird” question file, uh? Lol
Thank you for your time. And I have asked repeatedly with no answer. I have even asked other Carholics and they don’t know. Thank you for your time and effort in this matter. God bless you!

FATHER JOE:

I have a strong suspicion I know what is happening. It is actually not a rare business at all.

Am I right that your sister-in-law married your brother in the Catholic Church? If so, then the other marriages all took place outside the Church. A marriage of a Catholic in the Church before a Catholic priest and two witnesses is judged as both valid and licit. The Catholic faith does not recognize divorce and so the divorce decrees would not free her to marry again. She could have sought a formal annulment but these are sometimes turned down. The Catholic Church takes people at their word. When they say to God in their vows that they will be true to each other until death do they part… then they are to remain married until one of them goes to the grave.

[If she and your brother were both non-Catholics married in a Protestant church or even at the courthouse then the same emphasis upon marriage “until death” would also apply. They would be outside our laws about having a priest but the nature of marriage is still viewed as until the death of one of the parties. If that is the case, your brother’s death would free her to marry a Catholic (the third husband?) in the Catholic Church.]

The second marriage, children or not, was probably outside the Church. In any case, if you are already married then you cannot get married again (remember Catholicism does not accept divorce). A simple declaration of nullity because of a lack of canonical form would have dismissed this bond. The first marriage was in the Church and/or it takes precedence. Thus the second attempted marriage is null-and-void. Similarly, the third marriage, outside the Church, would have no standing with us.

Until proven otherwise, she was still married to your brother. However, now that he is dead, and given that the second bond was invalid and illicit, then she is now free to con-validate (not renew) the third bond in a true marriage in the Church.

Have I got it right? There were a few details in your question that were missing. Sorry about your brother’s passing. God bless you!
Kenneth, on May 25, 2017 at 10:25 pm said:

Hello, this is Kenneth again. I really thank you for your advice. I do not know what order the sisters belong to. I only know that they are attending the KU Leuven Theo. They wear black clothing and veil, and they show the top portion of their hair.
Francis, on May 25, 2017 at 7:44 pm said:

Dear Father,

I have a question about fishing: would it be a sin to use barbed hooks when fishing, if these hooks may, to an almost insignificant degree, increase the likelihood that released fish may die?

Thanks,
Francis

FATHER JOE: Unless there is a legal issue, then I would suggest eating them.
Holly, on May 25, 2017 at 6:19 pm said:

Dear Father Joe,

This might be the completely wrong place to ask this question, however, I am having a hard time finding a concrete answer and feel as though you can lead me to the right conclusion and way of doing things.

My grandmother was born and raised Catholic, I was raised and baptized a Baptist. However, I feel very Catholic and feel as though I should have been born Catholic in the first place. I am wanting to convert so I can be happy with myself, knowing that I am finally the person I have always wanted to and was born to be. I feel I was supposed to be Catholic and feel very in-tune with the Catholic religion and way of life.

I was wondering if you could perhaps point me in the correct direction as to how I would go about doing this. Even a place to start is helpful. I appreciate your time and help.

God Bless, Holly

FATHER JOE:

Technically when people say they were “born” Catholic, what they really mean is that they were baptized in the Church as infants. It is nice that you want to share your grandmother’s faith, but the discernment requires both study and prayer. If you are already baptized (using the Trinitarian formula) you would likely be formally received into the Catholic Church and receive the sacraments of the Eucharist and Confirmation. The process begins with contacting your local Catholic Church. The pastor may meet with you and it is likely you would be signed up for instruction classes beginning in the fall. The process most Catholic churches follow is the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).

Meanwhile you can get a head start by taking the faith formation course offered by the Knights of Columbus:

http://www.kofc.org/en/cis/faith-formation-course.html
44rustee10, on May 24, 2017 at 10:07 pm said:

Dear Father Joe,
I have learned so much from your blog and I am truly appreciative of your knowledge and the time you take to answer so many questions. I am a Special Minister of the Eucharist. I served in this position years ago after being given a book to read, time for questions and a few practice sessions. Now, years later at my new church in another town, I got about 15 minutes or less of instruction and some print outs and I would like you to clear up some confusion. I was originally taught that Eucharist Ministers who brought communion to shut ins were to receive the pix and proceed immediately from the church and drive to the home or hospital of the person being visited. The ushers would have the doors open so that we did not even have to touch the exit doors as we left the church. Now, I see Eucharist Ministers receive the pix, put it in their pockets, sit down for the conclusion of Mass and sometimes chat with friends in the vestibule before visiting the sick or elderly. When I questioned these people they told me that nobody told them to do anything differently. It is my feeling that what I witness is disrespectful and I am wondering if there a set policy on how this should be conducted. Thank you Father and God bless You. Rustee.

FATHER JOE: After receiving the Eucharist, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion should go directly to those communicants who are homebound or sick in the hospital or nursing home. If there are several people to visit, they may exchange a few niceties, but generally they should not be distracted from their purpose. I have never heard of ushers holding the doors for them, but I can appreciate such a sign of respect.
J, on May 24, 2017 at 8:50 pm said:

Hi Father Joe,

I just wanted to ask, is it a sin to watch online streaming shows from 3rd party websites? I know some videos are illegally uploaded, others are not. Would it be a sin to watch these online?

Thank you.

FATHER JOE: Do you mean like YouTube? We should obey just laws but I am unsure about the legal status of much of this. Certainly there is an issue with downloading content that belongs to another without their consent. But sometimes, unless it is a blockbuster film, ownership is not clear. All I can say is try not to steal.
Mark, on May 24, 2017 at 2:13 pm said:

Dear Fr. Joe, I travel a lot. Is it possible to call a priest friend and have the sacrament of reconciliation handled over the phone. Thanks.

FATHER JOE: No, the sacrament of penance cannot be communicated over the phone, radio or internet. A physical presence is required. Sorry.
Kenneth, on May 24, 2017 at 10:44 am said:

Kenneth, here. I am sorry to disappoint you but these sisters are indeed Catholic and legitimate. They wear a black habit, and were sent to study at a European university from Vietnam. I do not know where there order is and who to contact about it. I find their behavior disturbing and unfair since most other Catholics I have ever seen do not behave like this.

FATHER JOE: Just wearing a habit would not make them legitimate. If they are truly Catholic and misbehaving then they should be removed from the religious community. Again, if true, I would urge those who have seen their antics to notify the diocese so that they can take action and expel them. Give me the name of their religious order and where they are going to school and I will relay your concern to their superiors so that they can launch an investigation. It is not sufficient to complain… action is required. (It must be said that there are some who embrace religious life, particularly in poor countries, not to further the Gospel but for their own personal advantage. Doors that are closed, even in Communist countries, might open for one who feigns a vocation. I cannot say if this is such a case.)
Patricia Budd, on May 23, 2017 at 5:20 pm said:

Thank you Father should I mention this in confession that I had anger towards the church and should I discuss this with my spiritual director. I am loyal to the Holy Father but not of bishop’s coverups of sex abuse cases.

FATHER JOE: Any spiritual wound, sin or not, should be shared with one’s spiritual director. (As an aside, I hope that you told authorities about the abuse you endured so that the perpetrator would encounter justice and not harm others.) Peace!
Kenneth, on May 23, 2017 at 4:58 pm said:

Hello There,

A friend pointed your website out to me, because I have a question and it really has been disturbing me. I am not a Catholic, and forgive me for my question.

I have recently attended a university setting with some religious nuns, that were sent to school. I am not sure how to say it, so I will be frank. There are these two Asian nuns who speak poor English, and therefore communicating with them is quite difficult, but their behavior is what concerns me. They are close to a few male students and will suddenly just grab hold of their buttocks area, and in classes will just touch their private parts and of course the men just respond as if they were any other woman.

I feel very distressed about this behavior. First of all, I would never want to witness this kind of thing from anyone. But also, I think there must be a moral problem with this. To make sure I am not completely imagining the whole situation, I have asked other people, and they have seen the exact same thing I have, but they tell me that the Catholic Church is more free now, so its just part of their daily lives.

Do you have any advice? Is this normal for Catholics nowadays?

Would appreciate the help!

FATHER JOE: Are you serious? Of course such is not normal behavior. Are you sure they are really Catholic religious? I rather doubt it. I suspect that they either represent some other religion (non-Christian perhaps) or they are only pretending to be women in consecrated life. Do you have any idea as to what religious community they belong? How do they dress? If they were women religious I would argue that they should be reported to their superiors and disciplined. Nevertheless, I am fairly confident it is a sham and they are not what they purport to be.
helenl, on May 23, 2017 at 4:14 pm said:

Father Joe, I never heard an explanation of the Hail Mary prayers until now. Knowing we pray for increased faith, hope, and love increases the intent of the prayers. At least, it does for me. Thank you.
JC, on May 23, 2017 at 2:17 am said:

Good Afternoon Father,

I had a question about practicing sports.

I’m actually a racer and I race cars.

Is it a sin to be spending money on this sport, when I could be using it for other things?

I’ve enjoyed racing since I was a kid and I was wondering about this, thanks Father, God bless.

FATHER JOE: It sounds like you might not be making much money as a racer. Is it more of a hobby? I have had friends that did local racing and demolition derbies. They are good at it and others enjoy watching. There is nothing inherently immoral although everything reasonable should be done to insure your safety and that of other drivers. When it comes to how we spend our money, the matter that challenges Christians is that of charity. Are you giving a commensurate or appropriate amount of your time, talent and treasure to the support of your church and charities? Is the racing ever related to charity fundraisers? There are ways to enjoy your racing and still make a difference for the Lord and for neighbor. Peace!
Isabella, on May 23, 2017 at 1:40 am said:

Good Morning Father,

A friend introduced me to you.

Q: What is the purpose for saying 1 Our Father and 3 Hail Marys after “I believe”? No one seems to know.

FATHER JOE: I answered this for Melissa on the blog yesterday. “We pray for an increase of FAITH, HOPE and CHARITY.”

I have been taught to offer that part for Pope and his intentions and for priests. Everywhere the Rosary is said without any mention for purpose of the first 3 Hail Marys. Even in church/group prayers of the Rosary it is just said. When I ask they reply, that’s how it’s said.

FATHER JOE: The traditional prayers offered for the Pope, as after the Stations of the Cross, are as follows: Our Father, Hail Mary & Glory Be.

Other decades have their intentions.

FATHER JOE: Each decade has an associated mystery, within the collections of five: Luminous, Sorrowful, Joyful and Glorious. Various authors will reflect in different ways about the mysteries and suggest their own intentions.

Our Mother Mary asks us to pray for the Clergy. Why don’t we use that part, imagining every Rosary we say as a prayer for our priests all over the world? There is a heavy burden in my heart for this to happen! But only if the Church announces this can it take place. Most of all, the evil one will lose its battle against all our priests/seminarians 🙏 TQ Father. God bless you!

FATHER JOE: Rosaries are offered for many personal and corporate intentions. There is no need for the Church to narrow the focus. Our Lady of Fatima had us pray for repentance, conversion and peace. We often pray the Rosary for the right to life of the unborn. You are certainly free to pray for priests. Given the many ordinations during the summer, June is a month where many rosaries are offered for vocations and priests.
anoymonous, on May 22, 2017 at 7:10 pm said:

Hi Father, is it a sin to be angry at the Holy Father in his choosing to pardon 2000 pedophilia clerics in which no defrocks were made. I am just livid about this. Since I was a victim of pedophilia and know many other victims. I am so angry that the Church has been sluggish about bringing priest pedophiles to justice in the Church and to civil authorities. What should I do? Should I confess this? I don’t feel I can trust the Church. My trust in the Church has diminished.

FATHER JOE:

Let me first say that no one ever had the right to hurt you. It was wrong and anyone who would abuse a child should be both punished and psychologically treated. The problem in the past was compounded in the Church because of a fear of scandal. The Church leadership should have been more concerned about preserving the innocence and safety of our young charges. The Church like the world is composed of sinners. We should not hate the Church for what sick or evil men do. We should love her as the mystical body of Christ— the one who is both the Divine Mercy and the Divine Justice. There is no sin in the pain and mistrust you feel. But it sounds to me that you have wounds that still need to be healed. I will keep you prayer.

FOX News reported, “Pope Francis acknowledged that the Vatican has a 2,000-case backlog in processing clerical sex abuse cases and says criticism of the slow pace was justified.”

First, not all of these cases are allegations of pedophilia. There are also charges of pederasty and of misbehavior with adults, both men and women. (Since they promised celibacy, priests who attempt marriage are automatically excommunicated and face the prospect of laicization.)

Second, there are numerous cases where we have discovered innocent men who were wrongly charged and/or disciplined. We cannot safeguard the rights of one class of people by dismissing the rights of others. That is why the process should not be rushed.

Third, the discipline of the Vatican to laicize clergy is distinct from any matter of charges, litigation and judicial proceedings in the countries where the clergy minister. Some critics have criticized the laicization process because the Church then wipes her hands of problematical priests and we lose track of them and forfeit any semblance of control over them.

Be wary toward a number of the so-called watch-dog groups. Their reports are often biased. They are quick to publicize priests who are charged but they rarely acknowledge false allegations or apologize for the wrong of destroying the reputations of good men. There is widespread hatred of the Church, even apart from this terrible issue. These apparent defenders of the innocent are often lobbyists for dissent and have lost the faith, themselves. Indeed, a number of them (particular those with an internet presence) or in collusion with “certain” lawyers have made a great deal of money by exploiting victims and the Church. They have fashioned the scandal into a business. They have turned on the Pope and question the motives of the Church. And even though our current child protection policies are second to none— they remain unhappy. Their ultimate goal is to discredit the faith and to put a cloud of distrust or an allegation over the head of every clergyman.

The many cases with which the Vatican is dealing were wrongly interpreted as absolution or as a dismissal of charges. Some of them include actions that purportedly go back a half century or more. The Holy Father clarified from the beginning that more staff was needed and was being added to the congregation charged with resolving the cases. He speculated that more of the work may be given to the regional bishops to help prepare the cases before they are sent to the Vatican. Remember now that we are talking about the whole planet. Back in 2013, there were approximately 415,348 Catholic priests on planet earth. Most of them are presumably good and faithful men.
Melissa, on May 22, 2017 at 5:22 am said:

Dear Father Joe

May I know the meaning of the 3 consecutive beads of the Rosary where we pray 3 HAIL MARY after Our Father?

Thank you. Melissa

FATHER JOE: We pray for an increase of FAITH, HOPE and CHARITY.