Ask a Priest

5,442 Responses

chinonye, on May 20, 2015 at 10:36 am said:

Father I have another concern. I don’t know if you are familiar with this show, “the haunting of..” by Kim Russo, a psychic who can communicate with people from the other side.
I watch this show purely for entertainment and its a little intriguing I must confess how she does it.
Hope its not sinful to watch such a show? Should I quit watching it or not? Thanks.

FATHER JOE: She is a paid entertainer. I would not give much credence to the business. As I have never seen the show, I am not able to say much more. I sometimes watch UFO documentaries and shows on Big Foot. I would classify it among this silliness.
Ana, on May 19, 2015 at 11:49 pm said:

Dear Fr. Joe,

I think a part of this question was touched on previously, but in continuation on our topic of healing from abuse before marriage, I was wondering if I have to be ready to do ANY sexual act with my husband. I of course have the bad memories to work through for the obvious marital act, and I want to do that for myself and my mission here on earth as well as for my relationship with my future husband, but well…I wanted to ask about the morality of oral sex. I went through that and I want to heal from it, but is that something good Christian spouses do as well?

Thanks,
-Ana

FATHER JOE: The marriage covenant is renewed by the marriage act (consensual vaginal intercourse). Other forms of sexual expression should not be pursued as an ends in themselves. However, there many various acts of foreplay and sexual intimacy that lead to the proper consummation. Husbands and wives must communicate with each other as to what they do and how comfortable they feel with each other. As I have said before passion should be given preference over lust. One cherishes the person. The other objectifies.
chinonye, on May 19, 2015 at 5:14 pm said:

Thanks a lot Father for clarifying issues for me. I’m so much at peace now. The funny thing is before your reply I had this feeling that I should be concentrating more on the words “peace be with you ” and “be not afraid” always. God bless you always!
Hallo, on May 17, 2015 at 7:15 pm said:

How can you know you’re commiting lust of flesh and lust of eyes on food? I feel like I’m eating less because of this that I knew about few days ago and I need to learn about it so I may control it.

FATHERJOE: What you are talking about are two of the Seven Deadly Sins: Lust, Greed, Gluttony, Envy, Anger, Pride and Sloth.
Josie, on May 17, 2015 at 12:06 pm said:

Dear Father Joe,
My parents had me baptized as an infant, but I was not raised Catholic. They are not religious and just did it for tradition’s sake. For that reason, I have not received communion nor have I been confirmed. What is my status in the church?
Thanks,
Josie

FATHER JOE: You are an uncatechized Catholic. You should see your local priest about instructions toward First Confession, First Communion and Confirmation. There are many adults these days in your situation. God bless!
chinonye, on May 17, 2015 at 10:56 am said:

Also Father, how do I discern which spirit is of God and which isn’t? I’m asking because I’m really spiritually immature so I have thoughts that pop into my head and I don’t know what to believe or not. Thoughts that come in are “you re being a perfectionist in your spiritual life, that I’m self centred in my service of God etc
Also I have this problem of not internalizing the fact that God is loving. I feel as though I love God so much that if I don’t do what he wants he ll be angry with me. I’m too scared of falling into sin that my life is a nightmare. Please can you recommend for me bible passages that can help me serve God with love and not fear? Thanks

FATHER JOE: Discernment cannot be rushed. That which comes from God reflects the things of God… keeping the commandments, the precepts of the Church, the two-fold commandment of love from Jesus, the Beatitudes, the natural law, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the virtues, etc. As for Bible passages, we are at the end of the Easter season. The Lord appears to his friends and says, “Peace be with you” and “Be not afraid.” Trust him.

Matthew 6:25-34 – “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span? Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’ All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.
chinonye, on May 17, 2015 at 10:22 am said:

Hello Father
I have a question which might come off as absurd to you but I need clarity. Let me start from the beginning. People tell me I look better without my glasses on so I only wear it when I want to watch tv. In church when I go for offertory or Communion I don’t wear it. So on Ascension day I felt something telling me to wear my glasses to Communion. Like as if I was getting attached to my beauty.
I didn’t wear it to Communion today and I feel guilty that I’m not obeying the Lord’s will. Was it God talking to me or something else? Thanks.

FATHER JOE: I do not see the issue of wearing or not wearing glasses as an important moral issue upon which God would communicate with us. A young woman’s concern about her beauty is natural, but I personally would place a higher premium in being able to see clearly.
Olivia, on May 17, 2015 at 6:49 am said:

I’m genderfluid (like transgender, except sometimes I feel like a boy and OCCASIONALLY I feel like a girl). My biological sex is female. I have done some damage to my body (underrating, self harm) because of it. The gender dysphoria kills me sometimes, and I get angry and frustrated with myself for being a girl. When I look in the mirror, I see a boy with a girl’s body. I don’t like being called by my feminine name but I feel that it would be wrong to ask people to call my by a masculine name/pronouns. I’m wondering if it is morally wrong to dress in boys clothes? I feel much much more comfortable in them. Also, is it morally wrong to take hormones like testosterone? At this point I am not seriously considering it, but I’m entertaining the idea. I’m in a lot of conflict because I really really want to be a boy but at the same time I hate that my feelings aren’t lining up with my faith. Please please help. Thank you.

FATHER JOE: You should seek out a Christian/Catholic psychologist or counselor. You may also want to undergo testing for hormonal/chemistry issues. The Church would side itself with your biological identity. An issue today is that many people have adopted a separatist mentality that posits a nebulous YOU locked into a body. The Christian view is that YOU ARE YOUR BODY. However you feel about it, it is who YOU are. Many prayers!
Raina, on May 16, 2015 at 7:20 am said:

Hi Father,

Is the Bible accurate, as in, is it really the word of God? If so, how do we explain the scientific contradictions in it?

FATHER JOE: The Bible must be evaluated in terms of what it is intended to teach. It is not a science book. It is not intended as a shortcut to difficult math problems or to advanced technology. Rather, it chronicles through various forms of literature and through the instrumentality of many authors our salvation history. God does not possess the human authors but employs them with all their biases, genius and ignorance. The mystery of this inspiration is that this book of men (actually books) is also the living Word of God. Unlike other texts, even religious ones, this one is imbued with the presence of God. When we hear the Word proclaimed it constitutes a sacred encounter.

For example, in Genesis 1:16 it says “And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.” This suggests that the moon is a light source just like the sun, only not as bright.

FATHER JOE: The Bible consists of many forms of literature. There are prophetic utterances, stories, poetry, speeches, canons of law, history, letters, etc. Like the parables, even the fiction is meant to teach a lesson. Hebrew cosmology makes for interesting spiritual reflection but does not constitute actual astronomy. For instance, Psalm 113:3 was purposely misquoted in the earlier translation of the Mass as “from East to West,” to avoid poor science. However, today it is translated literally because it is crude to strip the Scriptures and the Eucharist of poetic license. “From the rising of the sun to its setting let the name of the LORD be praised.” How we experience things matters, even if the science communicates something else. For instance, we are mostly empty space, but we know ourselves as having form and substance. One could scientifically explain the nature of sunrise and sunset; however, it would fail to convey the experience of awe we feel while witnessing such beauty.
Steve, on May 15, 2015 at 5:20 pm said:

Situation and Questions:

I am a non-Catholic who is divorced. But am converting having completed the RCIA. 5 years ago I married a divorced woman who is Catholic. Both of us had marriages which lasted nearly 29 years. We both have children. We grew up in different countries. We both had church weddings mine Baptist and hers Catholic.

After much research and study about the Catholic Church I have come to the realization that the Catholic Church is the true church. As mentioned before I have gone through RCIA and have done immense studies in the Catholic faith.

My wife and I both are in the middle of going through annulments for the invalidity of our first marriages. During this time we are also abstaining from the sexual marriage act. And have been under the authority of the church.

It seems we both have valid reasons for the invalidity of our marriages but the final call will be from the canon lawyers.

If it is so deemed that either my wife or myself are unable to receive a declaration of invalidity, does this mean I am unable to become Catholic? Will I be disqualified to receive Holy Communion, Confession, and Confirmation etc. from the Catholic Church?

Is there no hope? This is what it seems like.

God who is a merciful God and forgives sin mortal as well as venial sins, will he not forgive the past as it was and bless what is? If a person who is an adulterer goes to confession and has his sins absolved by a priest then goes and commits the adultery over and over again are his mortal sins forgiven? We both know some who are Catholic and have been divorced though not remarried are taking the sacraments of confession and communion, yet are living together with a partner. Are they in right standing with God?

If we continue to live as brother and sister, can I become Catholic and my wife reinstated with the church as it comes to receiving communion and confession?

I have always thought regardless there is hope of forgiveness, but in the given circumstances feel there is no hope. My protestant brothers who were married and now divorced and remarried have prayed to God the Father in the name of Jesus Christ and believe they have received forgiveness from the past mistakes and sins, even the grave sin of divorce. They, without a doubt in their faith and belief feel they are on their way to heaven. They are living in harmony with their present wife and are in full fellowship with their church and even performing ministries to propagate the gospel.

I really want to be Catholic, as I said it is the True Church of Jesus Christ. I know and understand the seriousness of marriage and all the typology that marriage has such as the relationship of Jesus and his bride the church. Yes, I agree I have committed a great sin. Now that this is in the past is there not anything I can to do correct that and to receive forgiveness. Even if the annulments are found not valid?

FATHER JOE:

Dear Steve,

Given I have few details, I cannot say as to whether or not the two of you will get your annulments. You were both married almost 30 years and had children. That fact alone can make (formal case) annulments more difficult as the marriages were long sustained. Annulments focus upon deceit or the inability to fulfill the responsibilities of marriage. Much is measured from before the vows, at the time they are made and in the initial days of the union.

I can appreciate that your faith journey has brought you to a point where you want to share the Catholic faith and the sacraments. However, if the annulment is denied for either or both of you, then initiation will be problematical. At present, you are doing the right thing in applying for annulments and abstaining from intimacy.

Priests are generally not allowed to give absolution and the sacraments to people living in an objective state of sin. There are some cases where internal forum might permit a couple to receive the sacraments as long as they live as brother and sister. The accommodation should not be widely known so that scandal can be avoided. I do not want to speak to the situation of couples you know as I am not immediately privy to their status. The Church hesitates to pursue such recourse because she knows well the desire for intimacy between lovers and the weakness of the flesh.

While you know well the subjective elements, particularly the movement of the heart; we must also live with the objective truths in our lives. Marriage is a sacrament that binds until death. Jesus makes an absolute case against divorce in the Gospel of Matthew. He tells us that divorce is a human construct or fiction that leads to adultery. The Church can neither bless nor turn a blind eye to this sin. Even our Lord, who challenged those seeking to stone an adulteress, told her afterwards to avoid this sin in the future. He also challenged the Samaritan woman at the well over her many husbands who were not her husband. With repentance, he offered to change her life and give her living water. I am also mindful of poor John the Baptist. He is arrested because he will not shut up in his tirade against Herod taking his brother’s wife as his own. It will eventually cost the prophet his head. Both fornication and adultery can be very passionate and touching. But they both remain wrong in that the marriage bed is dismissed or violated.

Catholics have been entrusted with the “sure and certain” HOPE of salvation in Christ and communion with the saints. This is not the same as the presumption of salvation practiced by so many of our Protestant brothers and sisters. Jesus tells us that many will cry “Lord, Lord!” and they will hear the response, “I tell you, I do not know you.” We hope instead to hear, “Come to me, O good and faithful servant!”
chinonye, on May 15, 2015 at 7:51 am said:

Hello Father
Please I need your advice. I’m not feeling very satisfied with the spiritual director I chose. Not that he has done anything wrong, its just that I don’t feel this sense of satisfaction with him. I made a hasty decision when choosing a spiritual director. I didn’t wait for God’s answer in prayer regarding it and said ” oh well let me just meet this priest and ask him to direct me”.
When I had a bout of scruples a certain time, I met a different priest who really touched my heart with his advice and amiable personality. I started regretting why I wasn’t patient to discern the right spiritual director for me. Please what do I do? Thanks

FATHER JOE: The criteria for a priestly spiritual director is not necessarily an amiable personality or the touching of your heart. The question to be raised is he helping you to grow in your knowledge and love of the Lord. He should be your Confessor and one who leads you to squarely face the hard truth about yourself.
CJ, on May 15, 2015 at 4:26 am said:

Dear Father,

I want to play this game with friends for fun and will it fine if I can play for about 1-2 hours or maybe more. I, now,want it to be just for fun with friends to spend some time and maybe have some laugh with them. But I’m kind of thinking that this is a sin because I’m killing virtual people, and it’s somewhere I read about. But it also doesn’t seem to be and I’m in trouble. I can control myself and play sometimes whenever I can, want or should. Is this bad?

FATHER JOE: Strategy and war games are not intrinsically wrong. What worries me is what comes across as an obsessive preoccupation with it and a scrupulous sense of guilt. It is for this reason that I do not want to address it further. See your local priest who can make a better assessment of your situation and personality. The online forum makes this too difficult for me to discern. There is a subjective element here. What might be morally neutral for one might be bad for another… not only regarding sin but also in reference to a healthy personality.
CJ, on May 15, 2015 at 2:19 am said:

Is it wrong to not go to church on Jesus Christ’s birthday? I think I woke up late and I don’t think I had enough time to shower, dress, and etc. I don’t really remember much about the rest of my situation, but now I kind of feel like wanting to go to church almost every time. Also, Is it a lust of flesh if you can control how much you want to eat. Does this also mean you can eat like junk food, but maybe almost organic kind of junk food, and you can still control your eating. And what if someone gave you a gift or something, and maybe or maybe not you’re feeling like eating something differently like chocolate or other snacks , but you’re also able to control the portion. Does this count as Lust of flesh? If I’m missing something, please tell me.

God bless you Father.

FATHER JOE:

Catholics are obliged under pain of serious sin to participate at Mass on Sundays and Holy Days. Christmas is a Holy Day. Not to go to Mass for Christmas is thus a sin. Of course, people who are ill or impeded by serious age are exempt from an absolute obligation.

As for the other matter, gluttony is also a sin.
Jessica, on May 14, 2015 at 11:05 pm said:

Hi Father,

I have a question on life after the resurrection. After the resurrection, will our souls have a room to feel a desire for some things that doesn’t necessarily have to do with God (such as desire to have a good friendship/relationship with other resurrected beings in heavenly state, or perhaps some thoughts like “I wish I had a chance to do certain things before I experienced my physical death, etc)? or will we desire God and God only as resurrected being?

Thank you,

FATHER JOE: The communion of the saints will find meaning in its profound unity and will perpetually engage in giving glory to God. Given how we are created, there will also be room for intellectual pursuits and dialogue.
Simon, on May 14, 2015 at 8:48 am said:

Hello, Father!
I asked someone (another catholic) few days ago if 14th of may was holy day of obligation. I was told that it’s not. Now it seems to me that it is. Of course I’d been too careless and didn’t try to find that out beforehand, so I would have been able to attend mass previous night. But now I need to keep an eye on my 4-year old niece. Is not attending a mass today a grave sin?

FATHER JOE: The Feast of St. Matthias is an obligatory memorial but it is not a Holy Day of Obligation. Mass includes a Gloria but you are not required to attend. There is no sin here.
Insert pseudonym, on May 14, 2015 at 12:23 am said:

Is playing video games count as lust of flesh, lust of eye, or pride of life? I want this FPS( first person shooting ) game thing to be for fun, and to use to spend some hours to be with friends. It is still a violent game but I don’t really take it violently, and I think I just think of it as fun and competitive game. Also, the people in this world are God’s right? And they are not the world so it is fine to love others and spend some fun time with them. But is spending time with friends playing video games for 1-2 hour(s) a sin? Please tell me if it is a sin or not, and forgive me for asking to many questions lately and I will ask almost everyday, but I will stop maybe sometime when I get my questions answered. Thank you and God bless.

FATHER JOE: I gave you an answer. While we may fail, we should try to practice moderation in all things. Again, I have said all that I want to say about your preoccupation with video games. Has it become an obsessive matter?
Jenn, on May 13, 2015 at 2:42 am said:

Father,

What do we do if we think our baptism may have been invalid?

I only recently learned that the improper formula (e.g., “I baptize you in the name of the creator, the redeemer, and the sanctifier”) renders a baptism invalid. I was baptized as an infant so obviously I don’t remember my baptism, but I do know that my parents went to some fringe Catholic churches when I was a child (my mother vividly remembers one angry homily about the priest wanting to break away from the Church because it would not ordain women). I doubt either of them would have known about the importance of the proper formula or would have even noticed if the priest did something wrong.

What if my baptism had the improper formula?

I know that conditional baptism exists, but from what I understand, I would not be able to get one because I do have a baptismal certificate (though nothing on it affirms that the priest performed the baptism properly, of course). I have no way of knowing for sure what was said at the baptism as it was over 20 years ago.

What can be done? I am afraid the answer will be “let it go and trust in God’s mercy,” but that’s an awfully large gamble to take with one’s soul! If my baptism really was invalid and I were to die with original sin on my soul, Catholic teaching says I would go to hell…of course we certainly should not limit God and He could make exceptions, but I have no certainty that He would. That lack of certainty causes me such great distress.

How can I find peace? What should I do?

FATHER JOE:

A few years ago, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith ruled that anyone so baptized must receive the sacrament in the traditional formula, “in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

However, you have no evidence that an erroneous formula was used. Have you contacted the parish? If there were a problem the diocese would probably have made some effort to contact families. The usual presumption is that a Catholic priest in good standing (even if a bit wacky) would have offered the sacrament in a valid manner.

Have you received other sacraments? Confirmation confirms not just the person but the baptism. You are sealed with the Holy Spirit. Along with Eucharist, these are the three sacraments of Initiation. If you are missing sacraments then you should most definitely contact a priest about instruction and their reception. Baptism is not magic but is a sacrament of grace that must be built upon. Sacraments consist of form and matter: here the form is the formula (words) and the matter is water. The priest must also have the intention of the Church. Baptism is a sacrament of regeneration (made a new creation and restored to the likeness of God) and incorporation (made an adopted son or daughter to the Father and a member of the Church).

The Church generally does not offer conditional baptisms except in cases where it is truly dubious or absent. We often see this with converts from various sects or cults.
Erin, on May 13, 2015 at 2:32 am said:

Hello! I’m lesbian and want to be straight because I know that homosexuality is deviant. Do you know of any Catholic conversion therapy camps? I’m 17 and I want to have a camp or two lines up before talking to my parents about fixing me.

FATHER JOE:

I not so sure about such therapies, but a notable Catholic doctor involved with research in this area is Richard Fitzgibbons.

There is also the NARTH Institute.

My late cousin, Fr. John Harvey started an organization called COURAGE, where homosexuals accept who they are and live out a celibate love for the community and practice their faith with fervor. I would recommend this course.
Pseudonym, on May 12, 2015 at 11:31 pm said:

Is it a sin to drink Pain killers, drugs r or medicine. I’ve read that it is and is it truly a sin, and is it lust of the flesh, but what if you must do it or force to do it? What must you do if you’re sick? I know Jesus and God is with us. Also, do you know if it’s ANY, or a specific drug, pain killer, medicine in mg. And, does talking with friends In Skype(an app where you can talk with friends on smartphones, or computers, and etc.) having fun with them, playing games that aren’t violent or violent with them, and trying to eat by wanting to survive and continue preaching to God. Does these count as lust on flesh, lust on eyes, and pride of life. Is there any other way I can contact you where you can reply ASAP, because I have so many questions and Internet is a big place and I might find wrong and false info about my questions. Please it’s for God and Jesus.

FATHER JOE: It is okay to take medicine as it is intended to be taken. It should not be misused or abused.
Jennifer, on May 12, 2015 at 12:57 am said:

Hello again Father,
Let me explain a little more..First, we were not married in the Church. Second, he was married and divorce prior to our marriage. Third, he is not Catholic and I am. It was only a civil marriage. Not sure if this makes a difference..
Please let me know..thank you again and God Bless.

FATHER JOE: You were legally married in terms of the state. Dating while still married would still be a scandalous activity. You do not need an annulment. Rather, after divorce, you need a declaration of nullity because of a lack or defect in canonical form. His prior marriage and divorce means that he was not free to marry you in the Church.
Insert pseudonym, on May 11, 2015 at 11:31 pm said:

Dear Father Joe,

Would it be fine to play 2-4 hours or more? Also, I pray before, during, or after the game thanking God, Jesus, and Holy Mary to help me not sin and to forgive me for the all sins that I had done. I also say the short version of this prayers that I took out from my church’s song and I pray,” lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, Amen. I also gotta be honest, but this game is one of my diversions that I play a lot. I think it’s an addiction but I can kind of control myself when I should or want to play. I don’t let this game stop me from the work that I must do, but sometimes I do because of some reasons. I don’t let it hinder my daily prayer, rosary pray, reading the bible, and I’m still working on not letting this hinder my relationship between me, God, and Jesus. Also maybe my school stuff and homework. Is this fine? And I think I’m addicted but I can work on controlling myself and putting more time for God, Jesus, Holy Mary, prayers and other Holy stuff. Is there anything I must change? And is this enough to live a holy live at home? Sorry for so much question and thank you for taking your time. God bless you.

FATHER JOE: If you are playing this game four hours a day then I fail to see how you can have a healthy life of work, prayer and real social interaction. That is all I am going to say about this matter.
Jennifer, on May 11, 2015 at 9:47 pm said:

Hello Father ,
My husband and I have had problems for avery long time, I should have never married him, in fact it took me a Xanax to get down the aisle. I have recently returned to the church and feel closer to God than ihave in avery long time. My husband and I are currently separated and I am going to file for an annulment on Friday. My question is when can I start dating again? Do I have to wait till the annulment is granted?
Thank you for your help and God Bless.

FATHER JOE: Annulments are not certain and require grounds. As long as you are regarded as a married woman by the Church, you should not be dating.
Insert pseudonym, on May 11, 2015 at 2:42 am said:

Hi Father,

I am a 14 year old boy and I am worried. I have 2 questions today. A few months ago, I said something like, “If I don’t get ____ Jesus is not real.”

Can I be forgiven for saying it? I repented and asked for forgiveness. I repented so many times. I now believe in Jesus Christ— that he died for us on the cross for our sins.

Also, is playing violent video games a sin? I play a lot of shooting games wherein virtual people are killed.

I just want to play with friends, talk on skype, meet new people, etc. I try not to apply things that happen in the games to my real life— avoiding actual violence and hurting people. I do not want the games to hinder my relationship with God and his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. The games are played online and sometimes other players request my participation. They can also complain about my performance. I enjoy playing with them.

If you can, check the game out and tell me if it is or is not a sin. It is called CS: GO. Remember, I’m killing pixels and maybe computer codes, and not real life people.

I am still active in following God. I am willing to decrease my game time for God but I still want to be in touch with friends, but it will be okay as long as I get a few hours? I attend church daily. Now it is rare for me to miss church. I pray before and after the game. I pray to Jesus for forgiveness. I pray the rosary every day. I read the bible. I pray and make the sign of the cross during my game. I also watch videos about how to be saved and I recited many prayers.

This change in my life wouldn’t happen without the message of God and Jesus Christ.

Please if you can, be as informative as possible or put forth evidence from the Bible or the Gospel. These are very important questions for me. I have been a gamer for a long time.

Thanks for taking your time reading this Father. I tried searching it somewhere else but I was unable to find an answer. God bless you.

FATHER JOE:

Not all games are the same. I have not seen the program and so cannot say if there is unnecessary vulgarity. Games that take a wicked delight in the murder of innocents or in torture would be wrong and sinful, just as those that undermine human dignity with pornography. Turning to your questions:

First, Jesus is always ready to forgive us… no matter what we do.

Second, many military people engage in such strategy games so as to be prepared should war be thrust upon them.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is a violent online strategy game. Things have come a long way from the days of captured pawns on cardboard chessboards and the zapped mutants of Duke Nukem on 1990 era computers. There may be no sin involved given that the virtual characters have no real existence and the object is winning and survival. However, I would advise against long hours and a possible addiction to the game. Moderation is the best course to follow.

It is not necessary to consecrate such game-play with prayers. If it were wrong, no amount of praying or going to church would make it right.

Peace!
Ruth, on May 10, 2015 at 3:41 pm said:

Father, have u heard about microchip implants on persons, on their hands? What do you think about it? I feel we are close to the days of the Revelation, where Satan will force people to have his mark on their hands.

Another question, if the sin of abortion leads to excommunication from the Church, what if the woman is truly sorry and repentant? Wont Jesus forgive her?

FATHER JOE:

The censure of abortion requires that one knows of the penalty. Abortion violates the law of God. The censure reflects the law or discipline of the Church. The Church has authority to reserve sins to the Sacrament of Penance and to a bishop or priest qualified to absolve sin and remove the censure. Contrition or sorrow is a precondition for this.

As for implants, the Church has no definitive position. I can appreciate that chips that list health ailments or which function as a GPS for lost or abducted children might be useful. However, there is a terrible trade-off in terms of personal liberties. I personally find them too invasive and would oppose their widespread implementation.
Ruth, on May 8, 2015 at 6:59 am said:

“Brush aside or better yet work through feelings of “misery and loneliness.” These can lead YOU in the wrong direction.” Father how can such feelings lead me in the wrong direction?

FATHER JOE: You don’t know? Hum, how old are you? Negative feelings can lead to acts of desperation. The Christian should know a solidarity with Christ and the Church that gives us a sense of belonging and worth. God did not create you so that you could be miserable. Even in taking up the Cross we are to find consolation in Christ’s victory… sharing something of the joy that belongs to the saints.

Another question, is it wrong for me to watch movies on Sundays since that’s the only day I get my free time. Will I be breaking the 3rd commandment?

FATHER JOE: There is no issue with watching TV or movies… although some shows may be problematical. It is taken for granted that you went to church.