Ask a Priest

5,442 Responses

david2015, on September 2, 2015 at 1:46 am said:

Dear Fr. Joe,

Thanks for you answers to my questions. They are very helpful.

This really isn’t a question Fr. Joe, I just wanted to share this. I found this video which shows a Catholic Mass aboard a ship headed for Iwo Jima during WW2. The caption says this was one week before the famous battle. It’s almost hard to believe it is real. It’s like stepping into a time machine. It’s one thing to see a video of a Mass under ordinary circumstances, if I can use that term. But to see this is really very moving.

I suppose US soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq also had priests who conducted Mass on remote bases or under field conditions. It really makes you want to thank the military chaplains.

Respectfully Yours.
S.G., on September 1, 2015 at 9:47 pm said:

Hello Father,

In the last couple years and continuing currently, I have been hit with justifications for homosexuality. CATHOLIC friends have told me that it’s not a choice and that people can’t help it. I completely and totally disagree. And whenever I bring up the topic, they tell me not to judge. Judging is when you know nothing about a person and you automatically assume something about them. For instance, the college I attend is a state college and the homosexuals are big out there. I’m not judging anyone when I say it’s wrong or it makes it a constant battle as a traditional Catholic. I’m simple stating facts and quoting God. Sodom and Gomorrah happened for a reason, yet so many people (and sadly several Catholic people I know) have been telling me to stop being bias and judgemental. It’s not that I’m failing to see everyone as God’s children, I’m am just seeing that they are living in mortal sin and are in grave danger of losing their souls. I’m so frustrated with not being able to discuss these things with other Catholics. My friends also believe that people can just be born with homosexual tendencies. Please expand on my following response and correct me wherever I am wrong:

All people are born with the stain of original sin on their souls because of Adam and Eve. ORIGINAL sin. Not mortal. God would not create us with an automatic mortal sin on our souls like homosexuality. Once we are baptized, that original sin is removed and from here on out, we simply have the ability to sin because of our free will. Homosexuality stems from either growing up in a home where it is prominent or being exposed to it somewhere else. We are created in God’s image and likeness (meaning the immortality of our souls if we go to Heaven). So when they say that people can be born homosexual, they’re saying that God is also that way. For why would God create something that he is not in or disagrees with? I honestly feel like my family and I are being targeted spiritually by Satan through other Catholics who have been sucked into accepting “diversity”. I pray for all those who are off on the wrong track, but in the meantime while they are still separated from God, I have a duty as a Catholic and Christian to stand up for God’s laws or I’ll answer to him for it.

And even with religion set aside, it goes against the natural law! Do you see male deer or any other animal mating with other males? No! Because that’s not how God designed us. It’s just wrong, plain and simple.

FATHER JOE:

The disorientation may have origins either in the organic or in an early traumatic experience. Either way, it only becomes sinful when acted upon. You may be confusing orientation with behavior. People are conceived and born with all sorts of proclivities and handicaps. Disharmony and the brokenness of the world is a result of original sin. Baptism takes away the stain of original sin but not its consequences. Sin is forgiven but the effects are not entirely undone. Such must await the final consummation. Creation in the “image of God” has to do with us having intellect and will. We can know and we can desire or love. Although often used too generally, “likeness of God” refers to a new creation by grace into the likeness of Christ. People may be born with the disorientation, at least as latent, just as a person might come into the world crippled, blind or deaf. The effects of sin touch us in the womb. Catholics have an obligation to speak the truth and spread the faith. But, they should make sure they truly understand what the Church teaches, witness to it by their lives, and always abide in charity. Failure in any of these areas actually damages the proclamation of the Good News and damages the reputation of the believer. As you can see from this response, a number of your assessments are not in sync with Church teaching. Homosexuals are called to lives of life-long celibate love. There is neither a requirement nor a guarantee that a proper orientation can be imposed.

As for other creatures in the animal kingdom, I would avoid making comparisons. Why? First, it is because men are more than animals. Second, because there is evidence of homosexual animals like deer, cats, dogs, etc. Farmers, rangers and others who work with animals can attest to this. It is no secret. The brokenness from sin damages the whole material created order. However, while animals can be put down, men must be loved and forgiven.
Kathleen, on September 1, 2015 at 6:16 pm said:

Fr. Joe,

I appreciate your timely response to my question regarding the legitimacy of my baptism. To answer your question regarding adoption, I am not adopted, yet did live with my aunt, uncle, and grandmother in another state during my first two years of life and only learned of this situation in my early fifties, after my parents were deceased for many years. I learned my mother suffered from postpartum depression with my birth. I was eventually reunited with my family and have no conscious memory of the first two years of my life. I’ve investigated whether there may be an INCOMPLETE adoption in my birth record file, yet the Dept. of Vital Records will not comment other than to say there is no adoption record attached.

Regarding my parents being witnesses, I saw this notation in the parish baptismal registry. An aunt and uncle who lived out of state were listed on my baptismal certificate as my godparents. Their sons told me recently that their deceased parents never had any knowledge of being listed as my godparents. If this is factual, I wonder if this is the reason my parents served as witnesses.

I know it’s complicated. Mainly, I am just trying to get to the truth of my name change, especially since my parents waited two months to file for my “priest-mandated” name change, when most newborns born in the 1950’s were baptized within weeks of birth. Combining that with the fact that the priest who baptized me demanded the name change, yet baptized me in a name that wasn’t even my legal name until weeks later. It’s all difficult to wrap my head around.

Thank you for any further insights you may have, Father Joe.

FATHER JOE: Baptismal names are not always identical to legal names. This makes matters difficult when one might be used as a birth certificate. I still suspect there is something that would enlighten the situation in the baptismal registry. You are not permitted to look in it but the current priest and staff could do so for you. There is no way a priest would knowingly list parents as godparents. It is a violation of canon law. There is too close an affinity. It is possible that proxies stood in for godparents who could not be present… but an attestation that they were notified would be required. Old registries were sometimes written in Latin. I would suggest double-checking with the church. Something is being missed.
Kathleen, on August 31, 2015 at 6:58 pm said:

Dear Fr. Joe,
The facts surrounding my baptism are these:
I was born on 9/11/1958 and given the name of Diane Marie.
My parents completed a form on back of my state issuedbirth certificate on 11/12/1958 to change my name to Kathleen Mary.
I was baptized in the Catholic church where my family were members.
I was baptized on 11/24/1958. There are no photos, unlike my other siblings, nor were any godparents or witnesses present. My parents served as witnesses.
Although I was baptized in the name of Kathleen Mary, it was not my legal name until 12/12/1958, when a new birthcertificate was issued.
This was never spoken of in my home, until I discovered my original Diane Marie birth certificate when I was 12 years old. My mother explained that the parish priest REFUSED to baptize me because Diane Marie was the name of a pagan goddess. So, they changed my name.(Ironically, it was still my legal name when I was baptized!)
I learned in recent years that my godparents had no knowledge they were listed as my godparents, which seems difficult to understand, as I know information substantiating being a practicing Catholic must be submitted to serve as godparents, or in my case, to at least be listed as such on my baptismal certificate.
My parents have been deceased for years, so I can not ask them to offer explanation. I would like to know if you’ve ever heard of mandatory name changes, baptizing a baby in a name other than their legal name, and allowing parents to also serve as witnesses to the baptism in absence of the godparents. All of these questions continue to make me seek validation of my baptism being legitimate. Thank you for your prompt reply, as I really need peace of spirit regarding this issue.

FATHER JOE:

There is a Blessed Diana (June 9 feast day). Marie is a variation of the Blessed Mother’s name. These are certainly proper names for baptism, although a priest might be overly strict.

If the assigned priest of the parish baptized you then you were baptized.

Do you have recently established certificates of birth and of baptism? The Church may have further notations not on the certificate. For instance, are you sure you were not adopted? This would explain both a name change and the issue of sponsorship. Parents are not permitted to be godparents. The priest would know this. The Church record book would include both the names of parents, godparents and special notations.
david2015, on August 31, 2015 at 2:37 am said:

I hope the Pope condemns the Mafia here in the USA just as he did in Italy. I have seen statements by an Italian-American priest who has relatives in the Mafia that many mafioso are good people and will go to heaven. I have seen other statements that the Pope was only talking about the Italian Mafia in Italy, not here in the USA, because the America Mafia is “different.” I think this point of view is supported by Hollywood in such movies as the Godfather. These movies are sick. They glamorize these filthy murderers.

In the old days gangsters were shown as they are, as in the movie Little Caesar. Now there was a super gangster movie, with no moral ambiguity. The bad guy got what he deserved in the end.

Personally I would love to see the Pope declare a medieval-style crusade against the Mafia so we could wipe them out, but I know that won’t happen. Still I can dream. I know that some of my ancestors were crusaders, and one of them was killed in the Holy Land during a Crusade. There was also a Crusade in Europe against the Cathars. Deus vult! Since when has the Church stopped fighting its enemies? I say the Crusades were the good old days. If we don’t fight evil, it will consume us. Remember the Rosary and battle of Lepanto? If not for the Catholic fighters, we would probably be speaking Arabic and studying the Koran. Now we have Christians being slaughtered by these infidel Moslems.

But perhaps the amazing Pope Francis will declare in the strongest possible terms that the Mafia here in the USA are in league with Satan and every one of them is excommunicated, meaning they will certainly go to Hell unless they repent. I hope the Church denies all sacraments to known mafioso.

And not to pick on the Italians, what about all the gangsters from other cultures? Crime is out of control in this country. We had two recent examples in which two TV reporters were murdered on camera, then a policeman was murdered at a gas station.

Enough! We need a Crusade against the evildoers. I pray the Church here in the USA will lead this effort.

I keep hearing some Italian-American Catholics excuse the Mafia because “only God can judge” as a way of denying what the Church teaches about Hell. Please correct me if I am wrong, but if the Pope says you are excommunicated, and you never repent, isn’t it as least 99% certain that you are going to Hell? I would say 100% but I suppose somewhat might repent with their last breath. But my understanding is it must be genuine repentance, as in an act of perfect contrition.

Forgive my impatience but I am so sick of the moral relativism among these sleazy Mafia apologists. I am sick of their lies and how they use the Church to prop up their evil empires.

I heard a faithful priest point out that faith is a dimension. If you lose it in one area, you eventually lose the whole thing. So if you lose your faith in Heaven and Hell, the rest of the faith collapses. Then we have moral relativism. That is what is happening, in my opinion.

May God Protect the Holy Father!

FATHER JOE: We leave law enforcement to the civil authorities. The Church’s mission is to save souls.
Bob, on August 31, 2015 at 1:20 am said:

Fr. Joe:
My daughter is 37 and baptized Catholic. She married 1+ year ago to a non-Catholic in the Catholic Church. After the wedding they began attending Mass together, then began attending a Christian church which I believe her husband had attended. For a few months they attended both churches, then she discontinued going to the Catholic Church. She visits me periodically for the weekend and once went with me to Mass. When I went for Communion, she followed. Since then she has never returned to a Catholic Mass to my knowledge. Today, she attended her Christian church where they had a baptism for their community. My daughter went through the ceremony and told me that it was her “renewal” as an adult.

Since it seems that she is committed to her Christian church, i have these questions:

1. If she wants to attend Mass with me in the future, is it my responsibility to tell her that she cannot receive Communion
until she returns to confession and resumes a Catholic life?
2. Am I to evangelize to her and attempt to explain that she can return to the Catholic Church (if she wanted) but cannot have commitments to both faith communities?
3. Shall I remain silent with the implicit message that I support her decision to leave the Catholic Church?

Naturally, as you would assume, i don’t want to broach this matter with the potential that it could fracture our close relationship.

FATHER JOE: As a prerequisite for the dispensation to marry a non-Catholic in the Church, your daughter signed a pledge that she would continue living her faith and do all in her power to raise any children in the Catholic faith. She can sit by his side at his church, but she cannot actively participate (double-duty). I had a Catholic friend who supported his Methodist mother. However, she must still go to Mass each week to fulfill the precept of the Church. If the spouse’s church does not recognize Catholics as Christians then the church should be avoided entirely. Yes, The precept does bind Catholics under pain of mortal sin. Certain anti-Catholic churches do not acknowledge Catholic baptism and insist upon celebrating their own rites, but it usually means the person rejects the Catholic faith. It is not a renewal. She must go to Confession and repent the sins of religious indifferentism, impugning her Catholic baptism and missing Sunday Mass. The second attempt at baptism is a formal act and is regarded as very egregious. I would urge her not to take Holy Communion until she repents. You can tell her that you got this from a Catholic priest. I will pray for her.
Angee, on August 30, 2015 at 5:54 pm said:

Dear Father Joe,

My name is Angee and I have been raised as Roman Catholic. I’ve honestly tried so hard to remain faithful.

However, recently I have run into a huge hurdle regarding my faith.
I don’t understand why God make us sinners? Why is sin inevitable for every single one of us? And if it’s already pre-determined that we are all going to sin, then why must we repent? It’s inevitable, so why are we held responsible? God made us like this. God made us sinners. God made us so we would hurt him, and ourselves, and his creations so why should we apologize for that? Is it really our fault, or is it his? And if this is how he made us doesn’t that mean we are not good? If it’s impossible for a person to live and die without ever sinning, (with exceptions such as the Virgin Mary), then did he truly make us good? In his image? If we are truly good creations, I don’t understand why it is inevitable that we sin. And if it is inevitable that we sin, I don’t see why we should always repent and apologize to God for being who he made us (sinners).

Please help me. It has been on my mind for a very long time and I feel I am pulling away from God.

FATHER JOE: We were born into the human family. The brokenness of the human family came about through choice or willful disobedience. Similarly, we could cooperate with grace or turn away in sin. God is not the source of sin. He made us good. There is no fate or absolute determinism. Human freedom is real. The mystery is how it all fits into the picture of divine providence. We were made in God’s image… able to know and to love. We forfeited likeness to God through sin; however, this likeness is restored in faith and baptism. This likeness is the life of God. It is Christ alive in us as new creations. Sin is not inevitable. That is the deception of the devil who would have us despair. We are not called to be sinners but saints.
Alexis, on August 30, 2015 at 1:08 pm said:

Hello father I have a question.my boyfriend is Muslim,if I convert to his religion is it a sin and will I be forgiven?

FATHER JOE: It grieves me to write this but I feel obliged to tell you exactly what I think. If you become a Moslem then you will have to reject the Catholic Church and repudiate your faith as a Christian. You will have to spurn Jesus Christ as Lord and God and Savior. Jesus is the Way and the Truth and the Life. So what do you think? Of course it is the matter of mortal sin. Forgiveness would require you to stay in good relationship with God and his Church. Otherwise, your sin will remain. The question you have to ask yourself is this: is your boyfriend worth joining a man-made religion and casting yourself into hell? Was your boyfriend formerly a Christian? If so then he would be in the same predicament. However, if he were always a Moslem, then the faith that would have some value for him would still have none for you. You would remain a renegade Christian, a lost soul. If he will not respect your faith then walk away from him and any romantic relationship. Better a little earthly sadness then an eternity of pain and regret.
Kathy, on August 29, 2015 at 8:33 pm said:

Father Joe,
I have a difficult question. Do you have an address where I can mail or email you? Kathy

FATHER JOE: frjoe2000@yahoo.com
Ruth, on August 29, 2015 at 4:20 pm said:

https://www.olrl.org/snt_docs/dancing.shtml

Father even I have read the above link where dancing is very much condemned. How is it that the priests of today do not condemn such things? Aren’t the souls which were to get ruined in hell be saved if they are told these things, rather than telling people what they want to hear?

Even the old rules of the Church such as receiving communion only on the tongue, covering the head in Church must be mandatory, don’t you think?

FATHER JOE: The matter of dancing is somewhat subjective. There may be pastoral directives about it but it is not intrinsically immoral. The Jews had many ceremonial dances. So do the Christians from Africa. I will repeat John Hardon’s answer. His view is mine: “In itself dancing is perfectly licit. It may, however, become a source of evil either because of the way in which it is done or because it is an occasion of sin for some particular individual. In general, if dancing is not a proximate occasion of sin for the dancer, then it is permissible for him or her. On occasion there may be a special prohibition of a bishop or pastor against dances held at certain times or under certain conditions. Such prohibitions must be obeyed. Ordinarily, in these cases, dancing is banned because of certain evils attendant on gatherings of this kind in that locality” (Modern Catholic Dictionary).
helenl, on August 29, 2015 at 3:52 pm said:

This isn’t really a single question but rather a category (that I didn’t find in your drop down list, unless I missed it.) Can you, at some time, address issues of mourning and the grief and depression that goes along with it? There are varying degrees, I’m sure, but when does it go beyond “normal”? When does a lack of joy, even when you do the right things, become a deeper problem than a priest can address?

FATHER JOE: I will have to give this some thought. There are many definitions of joy. Some equate it with laughter and happiness. Others appreciate it as a sense of peace and contentment. As for depression, it might be due to faulty chemistry, difficult problems and challenges, or even an existential crisis or angst. Many desire eternal life as a promise of something to come. I tend to view eternal life and the joy or satisfaction that comes with it as a discernment that one is in right relationship with God. God’s life needs to be present and active in us RIGHT NOW. It is not something we get later in heaven but rather as something that we take with us into the kingdom. Of course, veils will be lifted and there will be no more faith or sacraments. We will see face-to-face the Great Mystery and Lover of our souls. Some experience a deep sorrow and there comes a numbness to their feelings. Such depression might be defined as a synonym to despair. If God is all about love then depression and/or despair is the opposite, a hatred that has turned-in upon itself. There is certainly no hope and joy to be found in that. Let me give it more thought…
Caroline, on August 29, 2015 at 12:42 am said:

Dear Father Joe,

If I stole some things from school when I was a kid(one I accidentally stole because I didn’t even knew I had it until now, I found it deep in my drawer by accident it was a book from first grade and I realized I never returned it,and the school never called to remind me that I still had the book..16 years passed when I left school..the other one I took and also later forgot about it..) Is it a sin? Because I never confessed it and back then I wasn’t religious at all..I was in about 5 grade.. also I completely forgot about those things…now I don’t really know is it a sin?

FATHER JOE: We cannot sin by accident. Unless there is intent, there can be no sin.
Jason, on August 28, 2015 at 5:15 pm said:

I have heard that if you take an item (say a rosary) to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem and place it on stone where Jesus’ body was prepared for burial and say a payer, that item is blessed. Is this true? And if so, what prayer or prayers do you say? Thank you!!

FATHER JOE: No, I have not heard that. Where did you get that? There is a very small chapel (space like a closet) in the church which signifies the place of Christ’s burial and resurrection. One side belongs to the Orthodox and the other to the Catholics. The original tomb was long ago destroyed. You can place your hand into the stone where the Cross rested.
Adam Chahine, on August 27, 2015 at 12:27 am said:

Hello Father, I have a question in defending the Catholic faith. The Protestants say that we added books to the bible, while we say they took away. I would like to know the reasons for the Catholic bible to be correct over there bible. What are the differences and why?

~Thanks

FATHER JOE:

Martin Luther used a Hebrew canon of the Old Testament that had been edited by a rabbi.

Until the reformation, Christians (Catholics) used the Septuagint (Greek) canon of the Old Testament. It is the version used every time the Old Testament is quoted in the New Testament. This has the seven books that Luther dismissed. Catholics still use this canon.

Luther wanted to delete certain New Testament writings too, like the LETTER OF JAMES. Luther saw himself wrongly as the master over the Bible. Instead, we should view ourselves as servants under the Bible.

SEE THIS LINK FOR MORE
Tom, on August 26, 2015 at 8:07 pm said:

This might seem like a strange question but after watching a couple of films I’ve become interested in the Greek gods like Zeus and Poseidon. Out of interest I have been doing some reading on the various gods and stories about them. Is it ok for a catholic to be academically interested in other gods or does it go against the religion?
Thanks.

FATHER JOE: The study of classical mythology is legitimate. We just place no faith in the pagan deities.
confusedjanie, on August 26, 2015 at 7:50 pm said:

Dear Fr Joe,
Please help me understand though i guess its not so easy because you haven’t listened to the talk yourself.
I watched a talk by a certain catholic priest who is also an exorcist on a reputable catholic TV station.
I understand that the devil is a real enemy and may cause obssession and possession in people.
What i found difficulty understanding is an example he gave about a young lady who was a daily mass attendant and used to recieve holy communion daily but yet she was possessed and the devil during exorcism said that in a filled church during mass only three people had faith so for him it wasn’t hard to exist there.
He seemed also to suggest that even after confession emotional issues and wounds need deliverance or the devil uses them to keep someone in bondage.
He went on to say that he has no problem with sending people to the doctor but psychiatrists usually diagnose some people with schizophrenia because the doctors have no faith and maybe these people just need deliverance and they end up medicated instead of exorcised.
I was very unsettled after this talk because i thought after a good confession and recieving holy communion in a state of grace i was safe and able to get all the healing i needed. On a positive note the priest did however recommend we all pray to our blessed Lady to get a priest who can do deliverance on us if need be. My question is i thought Jesus in the blessed sacrament can deliver and heal me totally?
Also i request clarification on generational sins or curses being passed on in families and the like. I thought church teaching was that every person is responsible for the sins they have committed themselves.
Please help me understand. The talks by the priest are otherwise very informative on spiritual battles and how to recognise and by God’s grace defeat the evil one and his negative influences.
Thanks and God bless you fr.

FATHER JOE:

You move abruptly from topic to topic and so I will have to do the same:

You are right that I know neither the priest nor exactly what was said. This makes a response extremely problematical. Is the television station EWTN?

The devil would find it difficult to abide the sacramentals and especially the Eucharist in a church. The latter places him in the presence of almighty God.

Did only three people in the church have faith? It is more likely that the devil was lying. Deception is common among the demons.

Sins are forgiven in Confession but penance must still be applied and temporal punishment needs appeasement. The penitent may certainly suffer lingering emotional trauma and addiction to sin. These matters take time to heal. The devil can exploit them if there is no strong purpose of amendment of life and a level of despair. Hope opens doors to God and closes them to the devil. Despair leaves us vulnerable to spiritual attack.

The priest can send people to Catholic or believing psychologists. We must not jump to the conclusion that there is a demonic influence. There might very well be a mental delusion. Further, one prospect does not nullify the other. One might be both mentally ill and suffer a demonic infestation.

The main purpose of the Eucharist is to function as spiritual food and drink, not devil repellant. The Body and Blood of Christ are the rations from the Promised Shore to nurture earthly pilgrims. The priest has been given a special authority to forgive sins and to battle powers and principalities. That is why, even outside of the healing sacraments and the ritual of exorcism, priests can offer prayers of blessing, healing and deliverance over others. Pope Benedict XVI has asked that exorcists no longer use the Eucharist as a means in exorcisms of breaking the hold of demons in possession. The danger of desecration is too great.

Prayer is vital, from the priest and from the victim and his family. It helps to mold us and to dispose us to grace. It is here that the invocation of the Blessed Mother in the Rosary and the petitions to the Divine Mercy are so important. Prayerful people readily put on holiness. Prayer invokes the divine presence. The devil flies away from the presence of the Lord. Jesus is the true light and the devil is like a roach scampering away into the darkness of hidden cracks.

We have both a personal and a corporate faith. We do not come to God alone and we need the Church. Sin and evil damage both our personal relationship with God and our union or solidarity with others. That is why the two-fold commandments of Jesus and the Decalogue address both our relationship with God and with our neighbor. The Church teaches that baptism and absolution forgives personal sins. However, a child is also forgiven original sin, a sin that inflicts the human family and incites suffering and death. Original sin is passed down in the human family. This being the case, it is not a hard stretch to imagine other sins or sinful conditions passed down from generation to generation. I know a young boy who was born addicted to heroin and suffering from severe withdrawal. The child was innocent but his mother was guilty of taking drugs. It is in that sense that her sins were visited upon her child. Families can be places of faith formation and holiness. Parents can also fail in their obligations or, even worse, be occasions for abuse and all sorts of dysfunction. The effects can touch children like dominoes falling. One might also be spiritually oppressed by past manipulation and evil (even from beyond the grave). The priest may lead others in prayer or even Mass to help those who are so victimized. It literally means breaking the chain.
peeptuisku, on August 26, 2015 at 8:30 am said:

Hello Father!
Another question. I’ve been seeing this woman from my college days for a while and we have even talked about our future life together. We have so much in common and we look at the basic things the same traditional way (which is quite rare in where I come from) – about having children, traditional values and family etc. And we have lot to talk about as well – we have similar interests regarding culture, religion, literature etc. But she’s not Catholic. She is very into gipsy culture. She says prayers like “Our Father” and has even Virgin Mary statue in her room. She is even baptised but she calls herself a pagan and says that few summers ago she so-called “washed baptising water off” She is very tolerant, respectful and accepting towards others people beliefs and there’s some that she understands completely. Another thing is that she deals with fortune telling. Does it look very bad? I know that it sounds bad from a Catholic perspective but is future life and marriage possible for us? Cause I would really want and see it to work. Cause it really seems that we have fallen for each other and really look at the same direction.

FATHER JOE: You do not share as much as you think. You say she is not Catholic. If she were baptized a Catholic or Christian, then she is still a Catholic, albeit one in bad standing. It cannot be washed off. Gypsies are not necessarily pagans. The label can refer to more than ethnicity. It can signify a way of life or the horror movie stereotype. Are you saying that your girl gives gravity to staring into crystal balls, reading palms and telling fortunes? Such is the stuff of superstition or false worship. She might tolerate a lot of things but Christians cannot. If you had a family, would the children be exposed to such nonsense? Would she allow the children to be raised in the Catholic faith? Without such concessions there can be no dispensation for marriage.
Frank, on August 25, 2015 at 11:36 pm said:

Father, is smoking cigars a sin?

FATHER JOE: I know a lot of great Catholics who smoked cigars. But the question must be asked, knowing what we know today, is it harmful to your health? Would God want us to damage our lungs unnecessarily? Are there mitigating or medicinal uses for such smoking? Hum. I would oppose it but there are differences of opinion. Catechisms usually permitted it but as with alcohol argued for temperance. As a person with asthma, it was never an option on the table.
peeptuisku, on August 25, 2015 at 11:30 am said:

Hello Father!
I have a very practical question. Should I mention my religious affiliation (the fact that I’m a Catholic and belonging to RCC) in my resume for applying a job?
Church means of course more to me than just some organization or institution but I was thinking about it when I started filling the section titled ‘Participation in public organizations and institutions’. I have also worked as a volunteer for a youth club which also has Catholic background, so I would have to mention that to show my working experience.
In the past I used to have a bad manner to mention my religious beliefs for almost as the first thing when I met someone. But now I’ve understood that it might be frightening to some. Of course I don’t want to hide it because it’s very important part of my life and I’m not ashamed or anything, but I wouldn’t want my possible future employer to think that I’m waving around with the Christian flag to seem “more trustworthy” or whatever. The important detail to mention is that in my country most of the people consider themselves irreligious.

Thank you!

FATHER JOE: Mentioning your faith would depend on the type of employment you are seeking. Obviously, a teaching position in a Catholic school or a ministerial role in a parish would need this information. However, one would not ordinarily share religious affiliation with others on a resume. Most employers are legally bound not to discriminate on the basis of religious affiliation.
Rusty, on August 25, 2015 at 8:31 am said:

Dear Father Joe,
I have a wonderful friend who has divorced and is now remarried to a man who has also been divorced. They are both Catholic, but were married in a civil ceremony. They both receive communion which I know should not be done because they are not in a valid marriage. I have shared information verbally and from Catholic sources and have even offered to go with my friend to speak to a priest to find out what must be done for their marriage to be valid. She always sounds willing, but I do not think her husband is interested and she never follows through and I don’t think she realizes the seriousness of her situation.
I recently spoke to someone at our parish about becoming a Eucharistic minister and filled out the initial paperwork which must be approved by our Bishop. My friend is now seeking to be a Eucharistic minister as well. I know she said she was married for a second time, but am sure she did not indicate that her marriage is not recognized by the church. I am certain that few if any people at our parish are aware of the status of her marriage. I only learned about this though casual conversation a short time ago and we have been friends for many years. Father Joe, I can tell her she should not continue to pursue this ministry, but I don’t think she will believe me and I know she will be hurt by my suggestion. I guess what I am asking is where my obligation now lies… I know her reception of communion is wrong, but i also feel that must be her responsibility since she knows the facts. However, being a Eucharist minister not only reflects upon her, but on our church. Should I talk to our pastor or the person in charge of this ministry? I am very troubled and this situation is weighing heavily on my mind and my heart. I would greatly appreciate your advice on what I should do. Thank you and God Bless You, Fr Joe

FATHER JOE: These situations do sometimes slip through the cracks. It is the obligation of the Parish to pursue these matters and we can only hope that people will be honest with us. Your friend is undoubtedly well aware that she and her husband are in an irregular union. They are not married in the eyes of God. Worse than that, given the prior bonds, they are committing adultery. Neither of them is properly disposed to receive the Eucharist. We are talking about serious sin. Adulterers should not be commissioned for Church ministries. If you know for a fact that this is the situation, then you should quietly counsel the priest. If it is just speculation, then I would suggest staying out of the matter.
Maura, on August 24, 2015 at 2:11 am said:

Hello Father, I have in the past experimented with Ouija boards and communications with the supernatural. I learned of the demonic natures and stopped after I lost interest. I was never bothered by a dark entity outside of the séance. I haven’t done anything like this in about a year. Last night I experienced sleep paralysis and I believe I was visited by a demonic entity. I recall in a dream jokingly remarking about channeling evil spirits and I believe I invited them in with that. At this point I experienced sleep paralysis and I saw a dark creature sitting on my chest and applying great pressure to my shoulders not allowing me to move. I was able to break free from the grip but the entity was still in the room. I instinctively prayed a few Our Fathers and Hail Mary’s and the creature went away. I consider myself to be one of strong faith and I am always trying to grow in my faith. I wasn’t sure what the church teaches about this and what I can do to grow stronger in my faith after this occurrence.

FATHER JOE: You should go to Confession and receive absolution for dabbling in false worship and the occult. Consecrate your home and bedroom with holy water and religious sacramentals (crucifix, holy cards, medals, etc.). If you still have an Ouija board and/or other occult objects, destroy them and throw them away. Say the Rosary and add the prayer to St. Michael for protection. Peace!
JM, on August 24, 2015 at 1:10 am said:

Dear Father Joe,

Is dancing permitted for Catholics? I always assumed that, while certain types of immodest dancing were never okay, art forms like ballet or social dances like ballroom or square dancing were acceptable. But recently I have read that both St. John Vianney and St. Alphonsus Liguori condemned dancing (https://www.olrl.org/snt_docs/dancing.shtml) as gravely sinful. And given when they lived, the dancing of that time period surely must have been far more modest than the modest dancing of our time.

Does that mean that Catholics should refrain from dancing, e.g. at weddings?

FATHER JOE: I would quote the late Fr. John Hardon: “In itself dancing is perfectly licit. It may, however, become a source of evil either because of the way in which it is done or because it is an occasion of sin for some particular individual. In general, if dancing is not a proximate occasion of sin for the dancer, then it is permissible for him or her. On occasion there may be a special prohibition of a bishop or pastor against dances held at certain times or under certain conditions. Such prohibitions must be obeyed. Ordinarily, in these cases, dancing is banned because of certain evils attendant on gatherings of this kind in that locality” (Modern Catholic Dictionary).
Fundación Salvat, on August 23, 2015 at 2:43 am said:

Hello Father, I live in quite a corrupt country. Corruption is an everyday occurrence, to the point of being culturally accepted. “That’s the way we are, we cannot help it!” they say. So I am told by priests that I cannot judge my parish priest for hiding a woman and a child because I don’t know what he’s going through. The thing is, because of this, I was kicked out of the parish, defamed, and threatened in case I wanted to return. But I did return, and of course I am hated by the priest, his mistress and their inner-circle.

My question is this: if the Nuncio said there is nothing he can do about it, is there something I can do? I don’t mean to go to the press, but can I tell people in the community what kind of priest we have?

FATHER JOE: I take it you are from Mexico or a Latin American country? It is not my place to judge the corruption of nations, but from the story you tell, there is corruption in the local churches. If a priest has married outside the Church and has a family, then he has violated his promise of celibacy and is no longer in good standing. Do you know for sure that this is the situation? It would be a sin to speak about such things if they emerged only from speculation. Evidently you have appealed to other priests without satisfaction. Have you informed the local bishop? He is the one who has immediate charge of the man and can enact the proper censure. The trouble with public exposure is that it amplifies damaging scandal for the Church.
david2015, on August 22, 2015 at 6:21 pm said:

Dear Fr. Joe,

I am a bit confused regarding the Pius X Society. Is it now possible for a Catholic to attend Mass at a “Pius X” church? I have never been to a Tridentine Mass and wonder if it’s OK to go? In fact I would love to go to an all-Latin very traditional Tridentine mass at least once in a while, but as far as I know only these “traditionalist” churches offer them and I don’t want to be misled into going to a church that is not authorized by the Holy Father.

Also, I have been learning about some “traditionalists” who support Feenyism. But I came across the Catechism of Pope Pius X himself recently, and I am studying it now, and he wrote very clearly that people who through no fault of their own do not belong to the body of the Church may in some cases belong to the soul of the Church and thus are on the road to salvation. So how can anyone say they follow the pre-Vatican II teachings such as those of Pius X then adopt a Feenyist position? I don’t understand their attitude.

Respectfully,

David

P.S. attention anyone who dares to despise a priest! This is from the Catechism of Pope Pius X.

“Q. Is it a sin to despise Priests? A.It is a very grave sin, because the scorn and insults cast on Priests fall upon Jesus Christ Himself, who said to His Apostles: He who despises you, despises Me. ”

FATHER JOE: We have over a dozen places in the Archdiocese of Washington where the old Mass is offered. The Fraternity of St. Peter lawfully say the Tridentine Mass around the country. I would steer clear of the Society of Pope Pius X. They have no juridical standing in the Catholic Church and attempts to normalize their standing have all failed.
helenl, on August 22, 2015 at 5:00 pm said:

Thank you, Father Joe.

Follow up question: Should I ask a a priest to bless the items? And should I revel their history to him? I’m sure, in some cases, a priest (or anybody with eyes, for that matter) would know that they are used.

FATHER JOE: It is up to you. I just pick up rosaries all the time without thinking, have I blessed it? I just use them for prayer. I have a few medals but they have never been a major item for me. My skin is acidic and I find that if they are worn against my skin they sort of dissolve.