Ask a Priest

5,442 Responses

helenl, on August 22, 2015 at 3:14 pm said:

Hi Father Joe, I have another question; this one’s a doozy.

As you know, I waited a ;long time to become Catholic, due to a number of reasons and excuses, but while I did, I used various coping mechanisms to make the wait easier. One was collecting rosaries, medals, and other Catholic sacramentals. Most of the them are used, vintage (maybe one or two actual antique) and old unsold stock, so that some are used and others old but never sold before. I bought all of them on EBay. When I bought the first ones, I had no idea that there was a rule about selling blessed items. Later I learned that there was, and, of course, the rule makes sense. The fact is, I have never sold anything on Ebay.: I just bought them. I have mixed the items and sorted the rosaries by color, so that I truly don’t know (and have no way of finding out) which rosaries have been blessed and which haven’t. Medals tell their own story by the amount of wear.

I’d like to use some of the rosaries or give them to others to use. What do I do now? (I have at least 50 or more rosaries and as many medals.) Aren’t you glad we reconnected. 🙂 🙂

FATHER JOE:

I have friends who have bought blessed items on eBay, not to traffic in sacramentals, but to protect them from profane use. Further, despite age, we are not always sure if an item has been blessed. I have noticed that even churches sell items they are no longer using. There was even an old plaster high altar with marble top for auction. That must have assuredly been consecrated with oil at some time. There is also a business in stained-glass windows. Does the blessing disappear when removed from the wall? I am unsure.

In any case, when it comes to your collection of rosaries and medals, I would worry no further about it. You are right to be cautious in not reselling them. Keep them or give them away, I would say not to have your conscience troubled.
Ana, on August 20, 2015 at 10:01 pm said:

Dear Sir,

The world has so many good, beautiful things in it, my life is slowly getting better with no one abusing me anymore, I have a job, a home, a good holy people in my life, including my counselor, a priest friend, other friends, and parish family. I AM grateful for all this, but in spite of all this, that feeling never goes away that I’m just not made for love, that I’m a monster, and that God hates me.

What should I do? Is there a prayer I could say to believe God loves me?
-Ana

FATHER JOE: Prayers are not magic. I would say continue to emphasize the good and loving people in your life. Trust their judgment. In every act of friendship they are telling you that you are precious and worth loving. Priests often speak for God, especially with the words of consecration and in absolution. So take it from me, too, God loves you. You are his child. He loves you so much that our Lord went to the Cross for you… not for a nameless humanity. God wants you to be happy and holy. Be at peace.
kimbies, on August 20, 2015 at 1:49 pm said:

Thank you Father. Would you then recommend his book? It makes for very disturbing reading, but Father Amorth mentions that the church is too quiet on these issues and that the faithful should have knowledge of them. I would appreciate your opinion…

FATHER JOE: It is useful on the topic but is one of two he has written.
kimbies, on August 20, 2015 at 9:03 am said:

Hello Father Joe

I hope you are well. Today I have a question concerning exorcism. I came across a book entitled “Memoirs of an Exorcist” by Father Gabriel Amorth. I have only read 23 of the 189 pages, and I am now wondering whether his writings have been accepted by the church. Very early on in the book, he mentions that exorcists are looked down on by the majority of the clergy. Is this because exorcism or demonic possession is not accepted by the church? Should I even be reading this book?

FATHER JOE: While Father Amorth shares both Church teaching and his personal views, he is a priest and exorcist of Rome in good standing.
david2015, on August 20, 2015 at 3:06 am said:

Dear Fr. Joe, sorry to post again but I felt I must quickly clarify that when I referred above to so-called priests I was only referring to Anglican or Episcopalian priests, never to a Roman Catholic priest! My justification for using that language is that the Catholic Church does not recognize ordination to the priesthood in the Anglican or Episcopalian churches.
david2015, on August 20, 2015 at 2:28 am said:

Dear Fr. Joe,

This is in response to your question about am I sure about the Anglicans wanting to break the seal of the confessional.

My source for this is the following link http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=21916 which quotes the Catholic World News to the effect that the Australian Anglicans on July 2 2014 in their General Synod passed a resolution that would allow priests to violate the seal under certain circumstances.

According to this story the conditions are that this involves a crime that could carry more than five years in prison, and the penitent has not confessed. I don’t know if this policy was actually carried out and I can’t vouch for the source. So far I have not found any stories that deny this.

Frankly I did not even know the Anglicans had a sacrament of confessing to a priest the way we do. That shows you how much I know about these things. So this is just my ignorant perspective.

There is a big article from the Catholic perspective about this here: http://canonlawmadeeasy.com/2013/04/18/will-australian-priests-be-forced-to-violate-the-seal-of-confession/.

I have been trying to study confession by looking at reputable sources. Everything I read tells me that the seal is 100%.

One other question that comes up in online forums is if the penance the priest demands for absolution can include a demand to turn oneself in. As I read what I hope are reputable sources, the priest can never demand this. Or am I wrong?

As a follow up here is another link from the Austrialian ABC.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-03/anglican-priests-to-have-option-of-disclosing-confessions/5568672

I was just reading this and it really shocks me. For one thing, they are saying that they want to make it clear that a priest can use his individual conscience to decide to break the seal and rest easy because he would not be violating his sacred vow. I hope I am not out of line but my understanding of a sacred vow is that you must never break it under any circumstances. That is why it’s called a “sacred vow”. I would not respect a so-called priest who put his individual “conscience” above his sacred vow. A vow to God comes first!

Also it raises this point I asked about earlier, can a priest demand you turn yourself in before getting absolution? Apparently the Anglicans believe this is all right, according to this article.

Excuse me as a layman for perhaps being presumptuous, but should I place a lot of weight on what the Anglicans of today say, given that they now endorse Sodomite marriage, as described in this article? I don’t look to Anglican or Episcopalian priests.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2015/07/01/why-the-episcopal-church-is-still-debating-gay-marriage/

Again, I hope I am correct in my understanding that for Catholics the priest may give us some penance, maybe even a harsh penance, as a condition for absolution, but never demand we turn ourselves even for murder. I read in one Catholic book about confession that it is up to the state to track down criminals, arrest them, and punish them, and the Church’s job is to forgive.

I just said this prayer for our priests. “O Jesus, Eternal Priest, keep Thy priests within the shelter of Thy Sacred Heart, where none may touch them.” Amen.

Respectfully, David

FATHER JOE:

I am very disappointed in the continued decline in the Episcopal churches. What is happening in Australia is heinous, even if the prelates mean well. No one will go to confession if confidentiality is not complete.

As I said, the seal is absolute for Catholic priests. The priest can require acts of restitution or even withhold absolution. The penitent may be urged to hand himself over, as in a capital crime or child abuse, but the confessor cannot report what he hears in the confessional. Stolen items or money should be replaced or returned (when possible).
helenl, on August 20, 2015 at 2:07 am said:

I wrote about this experience here: http://www.catholic365.com/article/1713/to-grow-closer-to-jesus.html
helenl, on August 19, 2015 at 5:52 pm said:

Hi Father Joe, I have a question. (Yes, my life is filled with questions.) A few weeks ago, after I had confessed to a priest (not the pastor of our parish), and he had absolved me of a sin (that I will not name, since the sin doesn’t matter here and has already been forgiven), he held out his hands before me, palms up, and I put my hands on his. At the instant our hands touched, I felt the flow of God’s grace enter my body through my hands so strong it made me cry. The priest said, he did not feel this at all. Now I know our faith is not dependent on our feelings, but could this mystical experience be considered an affirmation that I had done what I should have in confessing something I did not want to confess (like God putting punctuation at the end of a sacrament that went from me feeling I was on the brink of hell to the assurance of God’s love)?

FATHER JOE: God’s mercy is always wonderful, in regard to sins large and small. While contrition or sorrow is a condition for absolution, we may not always have a strong emotional response to the sacrament. Sometimes we may feel very little. At other times, we may be reduced to tears. Was it God’s way of signaling his pleasure with you? It is perhaps so. It was for you and no one else, not even the priest. You can best judge the power and reality of such a subjective experience. It is somewhat like faith. We may all share a faith in Christ and in his Church. However, there is something unique and personal in every divine-human relationship. The lesson I take from the sacrament is that no one needs to be alone. Jesus loves us more than we could ever imagine. While our sins crucified him, he forgave us and gives us a share in his risen life. We also have the Church or family of believers. We are all sinners. We are all connected. Everyone matters. The message of salvation is available to all who are disposed to accept it. When we know forgiveness, grace rushes in to fill with grace what formerly housed sin. We make room for God and his power. Praise God, Helen! Many continued blessings!
david2015, on August 19, 2015 at 5:28 am said:

Dear Father Joe,

I am very alarmed by recent moves against the Church here in the USA. For example, I read that in Louisiana they want priests to violate the seal of the confessional in certain cases, particularly child abuse.

Now here is my attitude towards this whole question. I wonder if you agree.

First, as horrible as child abuse may be, murder is much worse. So do they want the priest to reveal a murderer? How about an act of terrorism?

I have three points about this issue.

First, it seems to me that logically if a priest can’t reveal a murder, he can’t reveal lesser crimes.

Second, it also seems to me that this is just a wedge that certain evil forces are using to attack our holy Church by attacking the sacrament of confession. Obviously Lucifer and those in secular authority who serve him want to attack every sacrament in every possible way.

Third, isn’t this yet another sign of the unique position of our Catholic Church, when it absolutely refuses to violate the seal of confessional, while other churches, such as the Anglicans, have surrendered to Caesar on this matter and said they will in fact reveal what the penitent confesses to?

There is no doubt in my mind that any attack on the seal of the confessional is the work of Lucifer in his attempt to destroy a sacrament of the Church. Of course, once a so-called church gives in on the seal of confessional in one matter, what’s to stop them in another matter? As I said earlier, it’s a wedge issue. They won’t stop there. They won’t stop until they have totally destroyed the sacrament of confession.

I expect ongoing attacks against other sacraments, particularly marriage. I wonder when the Catholic Church will start losing its tax exempt status because they it refuses to perform Sodomite marriage. This so-called marriage between two men or two women is absolutely an abomination in the eyes of God. What Christian can doubt this, regardless of denomination?

But I am not really worried about this because I know that our Church will stand fast regardless of what other so-called churches or religous groups will do. For me this is one of the most amazing signs that our Church is the true Church! I am so thankful to be a Catholic.I am sure that our Church will even go underground or suffer great hardship like the early Christians rather than perform a so-called marriage ot Sodomites.

FATHER JOE:

Mortal or venial, great sin or small… it makes no difference. The seal is absolute. The priest will endure any consequences that might be imposed. But he will not speak. He will not violate the sacrament and the trust between the penitent and the confessor. It has been challenged before, especially with murder. Policies require coming forward with information about child abuse but not when it is ascertained in the sacrament.

I was not aware that the Anglicans had a policy that required the divulging of information procured through what they regard as a “sacramental.” Would this also include the trust inherent with ordinary professional secrecy? Are you sure about this? I find it hard to believe that high Anglicans and Anglo-Catholics would breach the seal.

As for same sex unions or so-called same-sex marriage, the Church can affirm persons and we can chastely express our love for family and friends. However, we cannot participate in such civil unions or condone serious sin. Marriage is objectively a natural institution between a man and a woman. Homosexuals are call to live out celibate love and service.
caitlynnegrace, on August 19, 2015 at 3:25 am said:

Hi Fr,
In response to Michael’s problem, I suggested searching for sites and provided the link to Catholic priest websites….which I thought were safer. I’m sorry if that was not very right to suggest.
Maggie, on August 18, 2015 at 10:55 pm said:

I’m seeking an annulment to be good with God and my case looks promising. My husband and I are living as brother and sister until I receive the annulment.

Can I get my marriage blessed once my annulment is approved? Will I be free from mortal sin once my annulment is approved and I get my marriage blessed at the church?

It’s hard living as brother and sister but we are getting by.

What does it mean to live like brother and sister? I know it’s no sex but can we love each other by holding hands and kissing and hugging? We can get by with just that.

FATHER JOE: Once the annulment is granted, and as long as you are both free and there is no monitum (warning) attached, you would be able to convalidate your marriage before a priest. This is more than blessing a marriage. The convalidation is the marriage. If you are living as brother and sister, you need not be in mortal sin even now. Once an annulment is granted, the pattern is confession to a priest and then convalidation (marriage) in the Church. There will also be preparation required. Peace!
Jrose, on August 18, 2015 at 6:09 pm said:

Hello Father Joe, I have a question I have a brother in-law who is a priest and he is telling his siblings that they shouldn’t go on the family camping trip anymore because I was divorced and his sister my wife was divorced and we didn’t get married in a Catholic Church so if they went then they would be condoning our marriage. Then they shouldn’t come to our house either. What do you think?

FATHER JOE:

Pope Francis has urged compassion to divorced and remarried Catholics but it is not always clear what the parameters or concessions of that might be. As a Catholic priest, brother or not, his participation might be interpreted as signifying that he is okay with the relationship. Priests always represent the Church, even when out of their clerics. It may be painful to hear, but he cannot condone what the Church would argue is an apparent case of adultery.

This is less the case for other family members, although they may also have strong personal convictions that would make such gatherings difficult and/or tense. I would tend to let people make up their own minds about such matters. Did any of them attend the marriage ceremony?

Our Lord went out to tax collectors and sinners. The Pharisee and scribes thought this tainted Jesus. But keeping the lines of communication open and maintaining friendship might ultimately help to bring healing to this situation and the strained relationships.

If they do join you for camping or just coming over to the house, I hope a level of civility might be maintained. Absence might be preferable to enduring recriminations and fighting while on vacation. Sometimes we have to tolerate differences to preserve peace in our families.

How do the two of feel about the marriage history? Does it bother you? Has there been any discussion about possible annulments and convalidation in the Church?

I will keep it in prayer. It sounds like your family may be sailing through some rough waters.
AJ, on August 18, 2015 at 9:18 am said:

Dear Father Joe
I asked a question some months ago and you have not replied. The question was why does our priest give holy communion every week to someone he knows is not married and living with their partner, he baptised their baby recently and knows their situation. I thought you had to be in a state of grace before you could receive holy communion.

FATHER JOE: I responded to the question on June 6. CLICK HERE
vicki, on August 17, 2015 at 11:44 pm said:

Dear Fr Joe years ago was told by a priest from ewtn that agreed to meet us that we were under a demonic obsession. We were given several things and instructions but my quesion is this is there any kind of support for people who have had these kinds of horrid experiences. If you talk to anyone they think you are spinning a tale or crazy. Thank you foe your time

FATHER JOE: It might surprise you to know that most people may struggle against various degrees of demonic obsession. This is different, of course from either possession and/or oppression. We need not succumb to the obsession. Indeed, fortified by grace, it may be the occasion for heroic witness. The devil may show his face more to some than to others. But he exerts his deadly influence, even if from the shadows and the cracks of our lives. How do we deal with this? Take seriously that we battle against powers and principalities. We receive the sacraments, say our prayers, read our bibles and grow in the Lord. Live a moral life and do not bypass acts of genuine charity. The Mass and the Rosary are particularly powerful prayers to armor us against evil. Do not be afraid. Fear and despair belong to the devil. Jesus tells his friends, “Be not afraid!” and “Peace be with you!” Allow this peace to sustain you.
caitlynnegrace, on August 17, 2015 at 2:19 am said:

@ Michael,

…..I’m having somewhat of a moral dilemma. I wouldn’t get into specifics,…..

There are many of us who struggle with the devil on a daily or even hourly basis. You are not alone. Can I suggest something that has helped me tremendously?

Every day, I spend up to 2 hours or so, reading good Catholic websites, blogs. I used to be very fixated on myself and that led to so, so many marks against my soul. Since I began my disciplined spiritual reading, I feel I am in a far better place than before. I am also inexplicably drawn to Mass and the Sacraments, where once they did not mean as much to me.

There are many reading sites to choose from…http://catholicblogs.weebly.com/blogs-by-clergy.html … is one of them.

Daily Mass ( as and when you can) is the best. Sometimes, we just need to open the door of our hearts, wait in stillness and let God do the rest. I can see that you really want to be healed of what’s ailing your soul. The fact that you asked for help is proof. Daily Mass and reception of the Sacraments have a power surpassed by none.

I hope you get well. God bless.

FATHER JOE: I would be wary of getting my spiritual reading from blogs and websites. I would urge a priest spiritual director and recommended books.
Matt, on August 17, 2015 at 2:10 am said:

Hi I’m a 17 year old and I have a question. I recently attended a beautiful catholic retreat and I learned so much from there. I feel like it did a lot to change my heart. The priest talked about about sinning against the Holy Spirit and how it is unforgivable. The father was saying that it was dangerous (for example) if someone was to sin and realizing that he is going to confession in the coming week, would continue to do the same sin until the day of confession.. He said something along the lines of how it is deceiving and abusing God’s mercy. I myself was addicted to masturbation and pornography and did exactly what the father said.. (I did this before the retreat, not knowing this was a unforgivable sin.. ) At the time of my sinning, I knew it was wrong etc.. But I did not realize that it was really deceiving the Holy Spirit. Please help and let me know as soon as possible on how I can fix this. I felt the Holy Spirit and Jesus touch me many times during the retreat, and I have my goals fixed on earning eternal salvation anyway and however way possible.

FATHER JOE: It may be that you misunderstood the priest. Sinning against the Holy Spirit is regarded as unforgiveable only to the extent that you cannot invoke God’s mercy and power while rejecting it as demonic or fraudulent. Thus when Jesus was accused of working his miracles and healings by demonic force, his accusers sinned against the Holy Spirit. They literally cursed divine power. If they should die resisting the divine presence and power, then yes, the sin would be unforgiveable. But while there is life, there is still hope. Hearts can change and people can repent and become contrite. Turning to you as a penitent, the sin against the Holy Spirit would be thinking that you are beyond redemption. Such people either do not go to confession, feeling it is a waste of time, or they go through the motions, presuming that nothing will really change. No matter how addictive a sin, you must neither compromise with it nor surrender the fight. It may be that grace will require time and penance for ultimate healing. Make room for God to do his work in you.
Daphne, on August 16, 2015 at 10:23 pm said:

Father, did you ever have doubts about joining the Church as a priest? If so, what made you push through with it? Thanks.

FATHER JOE: I was raised in the Church. As a child I thought the whole world was Catholic. I have always talked with God, even as a small child. I did not feel worthy to be a priest, but I pursued it and left the final judgment to the Church. Priestly formation (for me) took eight years after high school. Yes, it was sometimes hard. But I have no regrets about saying YES to God.
confusedjanie, on August 16, 2015 at 7:20 pm said:

Dear Fr Joe,
Please help me understand how to read some Psalms. For example Psalm 127 and 128. When I try praying the liturgy of the hours I find them depressing.
They describe children and prosperity as being blessings for those who fear the Lord which is all good for some but how is a single childless person like me or a celibate or chaste religious supposed to pray these Psalms.
Thanks and God bless you.

FATHER JOE: Priests and religious pray the psalms every day as an integral element of our breviary. We purposely embrace celibacy or a single-hearted love for the kingdom. Most of us have no difficulty with these Scriptures, although the ancients interpreted God as more bloodthirsty or vengeful than he actually was. The problem you apparently have is not with the psalms but with your own life. You are unhappy or disappointed. The Christian posture is to rejoice in God’s goodness, even if it seems to be manifested in someone else’s life. People frustrated with their lives or even angry with God will find difficulty from many quarters when it comes to prayer and discipleship. I have even heard complaints when we celebrate Mother’s Day from ladies who are pained by their childlessness. I do not mean to sound cruel, but we really have to get over ourselves and find healing. Ignoring the source of the pain is no answer. It may be the psalms will force you to confront your hurt so that the good Lord can bring real and lasting healing. Peace!
Michael, on August 16, 2015 at 2:56 pm said:

Fr Joe,

I’m having somewhat of a moral dilemma. I wouldn’t get into specifics, but it just feels as if I have no escape from the evil I’m about to do. Don’t worry, I’m not hurting anyone, it’s just my soul and my relationship with God at risk here.

I’ve tried so hard to find answers for the specific problem at hand, but maybe that’s not always how it’s supposed to be. So please. Just tell me a struggle or a big problem you faced, and the things you did to stop it from making you do anything bad. Please. Give me hope that I myself can get out of this mess, somehow.

Thank you.

FATHER JOE: Sorry, I don’t do personal confessions online. You should not do something that would endanger your soul.
Pat Clark (@viapatclark), on August 16, 2015 at 2:06 pm said:

Hi Father Joe,

I’m a Catholic who will be marrying a non-Catholic early next year. I still attend mass, my mom is a devout Catholic, but my dad has fallen away from the Church. On her side, only an aunt and uncle go to Catholic mass regularly and the rest practice various forms of Christianity. That being said, we decided it was best for both families if we didn’t get married in a Catholic Church.

We’d still like to attend Pre Cana, but I’m wondering if this will be allowed? I’d like to have the marriage blessed/convalidated, and have spoken at length with my fiance about it and know that Pre Cana is a requirment but I’ve read that some more traditional-minded Priests don’t like to do this, so I’m a little concerned.

Thanks!
Patrick

FATHER JOE: You have decidedly wrongly. Marriage is a sacrament for you and your bride. Do not demean or minimize it for the sake of family sensibilities. As a Catholic, you must be married before a priest or deacon and at least two witnesses. Otherwise, the marriage will have no validity and you will both find yourselves in a state of sin. Sin is never the right answer. Indeed, you would have to confess to the sin and receive a convalidation before worthily receiving Holy Communion in the Church. It is not a matter of being traditionally-minded. It is a matter of being a good Catholic. I will keep you both in prayer.
Ruth, on August 14, 2015 at 4:28 pm said:

Well, I never meant to offend you or any other priest by questioning you so much. I am confused, looking at these messages and times of today. Things match so well.

May God forgive me if I am wrong. Also father, I am truly sorry if I have offended you.

FATHER JOE: It is not that I am offended. It just worries me that even after the poor woman’s death, the Bayside nonsense has still not been put to rest. A few priests (and maybe a bishop) from Africa were recently fooled to visit her shrine, thinking that it had juridical standing in the Church. It does not.
Ruth, on August 14, 2015 at 3:34 am said:

“Sorry, but the Bayside messages were rejected by Church authority as fraudulent. As a Catholic priest in good standing, I must abide by the decision of just authority in the Church established by Christ. We should all do the same. The late Veronica Luekin was a poor deluded woman who attracted to herself others who lamented changes in the Church and/or who were fascinated with conspiracy theories. ”

Father, then is it that the Revelation and the message in the book of Daniel will never come to pass?

FATHER JOE: Even private revelation cannot compare with public revelation. In this case, we have neither. Frauds often mix truth with error. The trouble is, which is which? The poor woman went so far as to argue that Pope Paul VI had been replaced by an actor. Read your Bible and place your faith in the Church. Forget about Bayside. Pray that God will forgive her the damage she did to the Church and people of faith. It was not from God or from the Blessed Mother.

These messages are even disclosed by St. Padre Pio and other saints. Why is it that such private revelations are being so disregarded by Bishops? Why is it that nobody, no priest ever, speaks about the Revelation or Daniel? Haven’t you learned this in theology? Or are the priests too scared to even speak about it?.. or rather even think about it..?

FATHER JOE: We are not talking here about Daniel or the Book of Revelation. We are talking about false (not private or public) revelations from Bayside. The Church does speak about apocalyptic Scriptures; however, many want to place a more sensational or sinister spin upon the sacred texts. Stop fighting the Church, for that is what you are doing by criticizing or questioning the learning of your priests.

Veronika was a poor woman. Yes. Coz Jesus chose the poor of this world to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. He used the poor fishermen as his instruments. Many saints were poor, very poor in fact. Jesus, the King of Heaven and earth was poor himself. You know why? The poor are more obedient than the rich who do not want to give up the lifestyle they lead, and will just shun any revelation made to them. They believe without questioning. Look at the Apostles of Jesus, father, you know better. Why is it that the “POOR” are always being shunned by the Church.

FATHER JOE: I cannot read this poor woman’s soul but she was either a deliberate fraud or a woman suffering from mental illness. Her case was investigated and the verdict was negative. Your role as a good Catholic is to assent to the Church’s verdict. Are you a good Catholic? As for the poor, they are not always shunned by the Church. Who told you this lie? Not only is there outreach to assist the poor but many of us embrace poverty as a means to make Christ our true treasure. You are mouthing the words of the Church’s enemies, particularly the evil one. Beware. We trust the Church but all else requires a discernment of the spirit.

I’m not referring to you, but as per what I think, many Bishops and clergy do not want to give up their luxurious, peaceful lifestyle. Who would want to take the burden reminding a billion Christians?..trying to convert them?..most of them may only turn their heads with scorn.

FATHER JOE: Here again you are buying into a lie. Most priests and bishops live very simply. The Church may be rich but her ministers are not. The few exceptions may be in the news, but they are still few.

But father, dont you think, a sin of omission is a sin, just like the sin of commission? And since many are ignorant, the least we could do is tell them once, if they disagree, just pray for them.

FATHER JOE: Again, you are avoiding the topic which is the lack of credibility and truth from Bayside. You are quick to condemn just authority but slow to accept the guidance of the shepherds appointed by Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit. You are walking on very dangerous ground. Bayside preyed on the pious while dismantling their faith and obedience to Christ and his Church.

I did my part by putting up the link here, but sadly, you have deleted it.

FATHER JOE: I deleted a link to it because it is not a Catholic site. Indeed, you should stop promoting it and confess the sin of spreading false religion.
SB, on August 14, 2015 at 12:33 am said:

Dear Father Joe,

Also, would you think my missing Sunday mass when I work on a Sunday, would be sinful? Given my reason being one, I am working and sometimes can’t make it down to chapel and two, don’t feel comfortable being in this priest’s presence, feeling his suspected bad intentions?

Thanks.

FATHER JOE: I would not be intimidated by the priest. Good or bad, the Eucharist is valid and has value. If he continues to act inappropriately, I would challenge him and contact another priest or the bishop about his behavior.
SB, on August 13, 2015 at 8:51 pm said:

Dear Father Joe,

Thanks so much for your input. I certainly have no way of truly knowing this priest’s intentions unless I asked, but I honestly rather not, because it’s just an awkward uncomfortable situation. I am in my 30s and this priest seems to be in his 40s/50’s.

I will keep my distance and unfortunately that will mean I will no longer be going to his mass at the hospital chapel. I just get a creepy, bad vibe from him, telling me his intentions are not good.

Thanks again for your input!
glo, on August 13, 2015 at 8:29 pm said:

Dear Fr Joe,
I noticed i spend alot of time on my two mobile phones. I try always to do positive and soul enriching stuff on them.
Is it appropriate to ask a priest to bless my phones for me?
Thanks and God bless you.

FATHER JOE: Is there a blessing for phones? I have never blessed one. I guess he could. There are blessings over most everything else… cars, boats, fishing gear, etc.