Ask a Priest

5,442 Responses

Samantha, on September 14, 2016 at 4:48 am said:

thank you
ann, on September 14, 2016 at 1:48 am said:

Father. When I see either a priest or deacon open the thing where the host are kept should I remain standing or should I kneel till its time to receive or lord.

FATHER JOE: I guess today it is your choice. Of course, many people have trouble kneeling, especially with nothing to hold upon.
Samantha, on September 14, 2016 at 1:23 am said:

I’m sorry father for lashing out at you and God in my grief I love you both and am extremely grateful for your help and honesty Is hard to hear but necessary for transformation
Samantha, on September 14, 2016 at 1:19 am said:

is it reparation because I aborted my 8 week old daughter shanice when I was 19 due to date rape? I was sexually assaulted by my father as a child and put myself in dangerous situations as a result. my mother had sociopathy and it’s no excuse but could this help to make sense as to why? I stole a child from the Lord now he has taken one from me for himself to be perfect in every way spotless and left me to grieve as reparation I hope so because this makes sense to me. I will never have to worry about Giovanni he will be brought up by our father the perfect parent.

FATHER JOE: No, I do not believe God works that way. God does not seek to get even but rather to heal. There may be no making sense of it in this world. We have crosses to carry but are promised grace. Trust God’s mercy and know that you are loved. We are probably all somewhat wounded. But maybe only broken hearts can love like Christ, embracing our own and all the lost children of the world? Love and prayers!
Nikki, on September 14, 2016 at 1:10 am said:

Dear Father,

I have a question regarding my mom and I’s disagreement about her current relationship. I am 26 years old and married myself. My mom and dad had been married for 28 years until they separated last November when my dad moved out. My mom accused him of being abusive to her but they had had a very up and down relationship for years as far as I can remember. I had witnessed accounts of abuse but on both sides. Both of my parents have hot tempers as well. During the separation, my mom would call me often and cry and I would console her. This went on for many months. I had to comfort her even though the divorce was very hard on me as well. After separating last November, they became officially divorced as of August 1st, but I did not learn this information until a couple days ago. My mom told me a week and a half ago that she had not intended for it but that she had met a man whom she liked. She told me that they had been friends but that she had developed feelings for him. Their relationship has been moving very fast with my mom spending hours each day on the phone with him, spending the entire last two weekends with him, spending nights at his house, etc. She has told me that she wants to act “normal” with him (because they had been going out to spend time together) and start spending time with her kids (me and my 2 brothers) and she wants him to come over to the house and to play cards/games which is what we used to do with my dad when they were together. My two other brothers have already met him but I have not yet. I feel very uncomfortable spending time with him because I feel in my heart that they have moved way too fast and that it is wrong. Also, getting to my question…I feel that it is all wrong because my mom and dad have not gotten an annulment yet. I tried to convey my concerns to her because I feel that she is blinded by this guy and not acting herself. She has told me that I am not honoring the fourth commandment because I will not meet him and for alluding to her that she is committing adultery. In this situation, am I not honoring my mother and committing a mortal sin myself? I had to console my mom for many months and I feel protective over her because I feel that she is still in a very vulnerable state.

Thank you for your help.

FATHER JOE: You have every right to feel uncomfortable. If there is intimacy then the situation is adulterous. I know families with kids that insist that there can be no overnights as long as there is no annulment and marriage in the Church. Given that she was married 28 years, it may be very difficult or even impossible to get an annulment. If you are really married than you must remain chaste and celibate for the rest of your life. Love your mother but there is no violation of the commandment. The honoring of parents means that they must live honorably. They cannot make you endorse sin. You are right that it is a dangerous time and your mother is vulnerable.
Samantha, on September 12, 2016 at 11:59 pm said:

I went to confession this morning thank you father

FATHER JOE: I am praying for you and your family.
Greg, on September 12, 2016 at 4:02 am said:

Hello Father.
This is a matter of church etiquette. I was brought up to be respectful in the House of the Lord, but I am distracted by those who are not respectful at all. For example, people that arrive halfway through the mass with no discretion, people who have side conversations at any point during madd(especially the homily), people who show public affection (arms around each other, stroking each other), leaving early.., the list goes on. Today I sat two pews behind such a couple who did all of the above. It is not for me to judge, I know, but I was fuming inside. Why do people come to church at all if they do not take it seriously and have no reverence? I really struggle with this because I do everything I can to follow everything behind said at the altar. I despise being judgmental but this really angers me. In addition, I have an issue with people having casual conversations in the church during the sacrament of Reconciliation as well. I hope and pray that others who share my faith treat it with the same reverence I was raised to do, and here I am complaining, but I don’t know what else to do about it. Disruption diminishes my experience
Samantha, on September 12, 2016 at 3:17 am said:

I paid for the gregorian masses for Giovanni when he died, I enrolled him in the Seraphic mass association perpetual enrollment when he was conceived and the friends of the suffering souls perpetual novena of masses. Actually yes I am angry with God I wanted him for myself. is Giovanni in heaven or limbo?

FATHER JOE: I feel confident in saying that your child is with the Lord.
lilbooklovers, on September 12, 2016 at 2:14 am said:

Hi Father! I’m wondering whether my enrollment in the Brown Scapular was valid. After my Lifeteen meeting, my priest said a prayer, poured holy water on my scapular and some other items I brought to be blessed, and said another prayer about the scapular and put it around my neck and told me to pray a Hail Mary everyday. He didn’t go by the Rite of Investiture, so I’m wondering whether I’m validly enrolled in the Brown Scapular. I’m planning to ask him tomorrow, but I want to know before I ask. He did pour holy water over my scapular and placed it around me, but the prayer (which I don’t remember what he said) was shorter than I thought it would be. I really do want to be enrolled, for I’m wanting to take my devotion to Mary more seriously. Thanks!

FATHER JOE: You would have to ask him. There is an older form and a shorter one in the Book of Blessings. Sprinkling holy water is certainly part of it.
Samantha, on September 12, 2016 at 2:13 am said:

I don’t use contraception as it is against Gods will. My baby’s name is Giovanni Fava. Thank you God for this gift. It hurts that I can’t hold him and look into his little face.

FATHER JOE: As I said before, you have my deepest condolences.

I am not disappointed in my child for not making it to full term… how insulting and insensitive.

FATHER JOE: I tried very hard to be sensitive and to share the faith. Words ring hollow at such times, making it very hard to respond in this forum. You may not fault the child for the miscarriage, but you certainly blame God. And, now it seems that you are also lashing out against one of his messengers. You cannot do this and then fault your priest-confessor for not wanting to talk with you. You want help but then you drive that help away.

I just don’t understand why God would want me to have a child and take him before he was baptized. Doesn’t this mean he’s in limbo because of original sin?

FATHER JOE:

Pain and death are always mysteries. There is much we do not understand. But as I wrote before, we must humbly submit to God’s will. We live in an imperfect and wounded world. God calls us to be faithful, not only when we get what we want but also when we must endure tragedy and grievous loss.

I cannot say for sure if there is a limbo or not. It was a theological construct of the Scholastics and no longer even appears in the universal catechism of the Catholic Church. Instead, we read: [CCC 1261] “As regards children who have died without Baptism, the Church can only entrust them to the mercy of God, as she does in her funeral rites for them. Indeed, the great mercy of God who desires that all men should be saved, and Jesus’ tenderness toward children which caused him to say: ‘Let the children come to me, do not hinder them,’ allow us to hope that there is a way of salvation for children who have died without Baptism.”

Every child is wanted by God. Every life is precious, even if he or she only survives a few days or weeks. Babies in and outside the womb die every day. Their deaths number in the millions. But they are not forgotten by God. They still have an eternal destiny. All life belongs to God.

I LOVE MY CHILD! How dare you suggest otherwise!

FATHER JOE: Did I suggest otherwise? You expressed confusion (and yes anger, even if you deny it). You talked about a number of things but you never used the word LOVE. I do not doubt that there is love in your heart, but as a Catholic woman that love should also be expressed in a positive way. But you stopped praying. You stopped going to Mass. You turned away from the source of love, which is God, himself. Now, you have taken a positive step forward in thanking him for this precious albeit short-lived life. That is in itself a prayer. Continue to love your child by embracing him spiritually in prayer. Pray that just as your faith would have brought him to the font, that the angels would carry him to the gates of heaven. Original sin is real and terrible, but it is nothing in comparison to faith in Christ. Your faith, by desire and not by ritual of water, is the final gift you can give to your child. However, you cannot do this if you turn away from the sacraments and suffer from mortal sin. Do you love your child enough to go back to Confession and to participate again at Sunday Mass?

I’m not angry either, it just doesn’t make sense to me. I’m upset.

FATHER JOE: Make whatever distinctions you like, God wants you back in good grace… for yourself and for your child. I will keep you in prayer. Peace.
Samantha, on September 11, 2016 at 12:18 am said:

I wasn’t sure I wanted another child . God told me to, ( I feel it in my heart and Mind) I do not hear voices. I felt him saying it is his will and I am to be obedient. he told me my son would become a priest . I worried I couldn’t love anyone more than my daughter 18 months old but in an elevator I saw a boy there and a flush of love ran over me I knew it was a message from God. on the 16th of July I could tell I was ovulating I told my husband about the above and we got pregnant first try!! my husband is 40 and I am 36 this is surely a miracle. The my baby died at 7 weeks of age. I can’t reconcile this with my faith and I don’t want to pray anymore or go to church. I used to pray 3 hours per day 2 masses each week and donations to multiple charities I went to cofession once a week for venial sins. my parish priest is to busy to talk to me thank you so much

FATHER JOE:

You felt that God was calling you to have another child. I have no doubt about this because openness to human life is a primary element of true marriage. About the rest, I think the excitement may have spoken louder than God.

A priest may arise from your family line, but it will be in God’s own good time. Vocations are scarce. These days it is hard enough for good parents to keep their children in the faith, no matter how hard they try to catechize them and witness obedience.

There are many couples that have one or two children and then they stop trying. Contraception is rampant and the door is constantly closed to God’s will in our lives. Instead of trusting God, many dictate to him their lifestyle and the number of children they want. Many mothers and fathers reduce the child to a commodity they either must have or must avoid. But the child is a person with his or her own inherent dignity and history.

We live in a broken world. God sent his Son into the world to put us all on the road to healing. Have you forgotten the price Jesus paid, our great High Priest? You had a child and the baby died at 7 weeks. About this loss, I am very sorry and you have my deepest condolences. But God gave you a great gift, even if you had the baby for a short time. The child is now with God. Are you so personally disappointed that you cannot thank God for this child coming into existence? Did you even give the child a name? When you pass from this veil of tears into eternity… what will you say to this dear child? “You disappointed me because you did not make it to term! I wanted to give you to God as a priest! It was easier to get angry with God than to thank him and to love you!”

As Christians we must accept divine providence, particularly when it is unfathomable and mysterious. Things often do not work out the way we planned… or even the way we thought that God wanted for us.

I cannot say how many years may remain to your fertility; but can you remain open to God’s grace and the prospect of children? It is okay to be upset or even angry. God wants you to give him your anger. He wants you to surrender all your heartache, disappointments, anger and sin. But do not be so mad that you close the doors and windows of your heart to him. You do not need to be praying hours upon hours; however, you do need to pray and it should be quality prayer. We spend so much time asking God for this and that— we should not forget prayers of praise and blessing, prayers of thanksgiving, and prayers of contrition. I can assure you of my prayers of intercession just as your child may be offering (his) within the embrace of Jesus.

Go to confession and if the priest is not responsive to your need for mercy then find another priest. Go to church. Embrace a genuine humility that does not make demands upon God. You may not have a child that will be a priest but if you have a Parish then God has given you a priest. When you avoid the Mass and sacraments, then you are rejecting the very priesthood you claimed to want for your son. It might be hard to hear but it sounds to me that God tested the depth of your faith and it was found wanting. Nothing is wasted, not even the dark things of life. Maybe God is using this tragedy to make your faith stronger, to make it real? God is like that you know… bringing light from darkness… hope from despair… and life from death.
Light, on September 10, 2016 at 10:56 pm said:

Hi Father,
My mom, my younger sister, and I went to the Mass last Sept. 8 (Thursday) which is the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Before the Mass ends, the Priest at the altar gave us permission to go to Mama Mary’s statue which is placed beside the altar so that we may give the flowers as a present to her. As people where putting the flowers at the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, my mom told me to go to the Father and ask to be blessed so I went to the priest at the altar and asked to be blessed but my mom was directing me to the Father that was behind her. I made a mistake and until now I’m still troubled about it. I’m the only person who went there and it troubled me. My question is am I wrong that I went at the altar while the Mass has still not ended?

Sorry for my English it’s not my native language.

FATHER JOE: We should not interrupt the priest at Mass. However, you did not understand and were obedient to your mother. There is no sin. Do not worry about it. Let it go.
Jerry Richardson, on September 8, 2016 at 5:25 pm said:

I am not Catholic but I do attend a Catholic Church with my girlfriend. I am currently going through the horrible process of watching my Father in Hospice. His health has been very bad for a long time with no chance if getting better, on top he has Alzheimer’s. He recently had a pacemaker replaced and contracted an infection. Now he’s on his deathbed and I feel the pacemaker is artificially keeping him alive. I am thinking I want it shut off so he can go to my Mother and enjoy eternity in heaven instead of living in hell here on Earth. Am I wrong?

FATHER JOE: The Church says that we need not use every extraordinary means to keep one alive. The pacemaker regularizes an erratic heartbeat and has become commonplace in our society. Removal might not kill him and yet it might cause greater discomfort. It may be best just to leave it alone. If it contains a defibrillator then there might be a heightened concern because if the heart has catastrophic failure, he would spend his last moments in this world being shocked again and again until the voltage is discharged. That might be deemed as too great a hardship. I lost a friend of mine when he contracted an infection from the replacement of a pace-maker. It proved impossible to reconnect. Since Hospice has been called, I would suggest praying with or for him and keeping vigil. The pacemaker will not save him if he is as bad as you say. Extraordinary care is not required. Do what you can to keep him comfortable and love him. I will keep you in prayer. It is not easy. My father died in 2000 and his heart eventually failed him. Similarly, my mother died a couple of weeks ago. There was no more the doctors could do. We held her hands and let her go. Hospice can be a great help for him… and for you.
Leslie, on September 8, 2016 at 2:57 pm said:

Hello again,

It’s Leslie and I wanted to thank you for your reply to my questions on July 19. To answer some of yours, we only knew each other for 5 months before getting married. Our one year anniversary was on August 10 and it was pretty explosive. We rented a nice room in the downtown area of the city we live in and he hurt his finger and started kicking things. I asked if he was okay but also said there was no need to kick the table. This was disrespectful and it was an all out fight. He put a hole in the hotel wall and held a gun to his head. Gosh, typing this I’m reading it like, what is wrong with me? I have talked to my priest and he said he would counsel us and recommended that my husband seek professional help by a psychiatrist. I’m not sure I want to be involved in helping him though. I feel like, I don’t know what I feel like. I want to do right. Even though I wasn’t married in the church this time, isn’t divorce still frowned upon by the church? Shouldn’t I put forth every effort first?I know this is your blog page and I can’t even begin to tell all the details and you are only getting glimpses of what the problem is, but I honestly feel lost right now. And I’m not trying to paint myself as some saint, I’m not. But I can tell you this, I’m not trying to make him out to be this monster either, I know he needs help and I’m just looking for some guidance. Thanks.

FATHER JOE:

Let me tell you frankly, given his tantrums and issues with anger control, there should not be a gun in your home. Get rid of the gun or get out of the room! It is too precarious a situation. Your life is in jeopardy.

This is really quite serious and dangerous. If you are not certain about this union then there should be no con-validation. Talk to your priest and move slowly. Professional help is vital. Your priest is right about this. Divorce is always a sad business, but as of right now this union has no standing in the Church. Anger management is a dire problem and should not be casually dismissed.

If his anger and tantrums were the cause for the failure of his first marriage, then any annulment from the Church will probably include a monitum from the Tribunal. A monitum or warning means that he cannot get married again until a doctor or mental healthcare specialist certifies that he has resolved his problems and/or no longer suffers from this condition. Otherwise, it would act as an impediment to the second bond, too.
monhix, on September 7, 2016 at 7:30 pm said:

Hi Father,
Should I continue to insist my 20 year old son attend Mass when he’s home from college? He’s said he has issues with the faith and just needs a break. My now 17 year old is also very angry that I forcing “my religion” on her. I’m very pained by their choices, but know they need to make the Faith their own. I just struggle with my responsibility as their parent on whether I am helping or hurting by saying they need to attend Mass when they are home (especially since they have a 12 year old brother that will be making his Confirmation this year). I don’t know how to be okay about them not going – it’s a mortal sin, right? I feel I’ve done quite a bit wrong in trying to pass on the Faith to them but I’m at an absolute loss now how to fix my mistakes/help them. I will continue to pray for their change of heart- as well as God to grant me Graces to change anything in me that is keeping them from Him, but would also greatly appreciate any advice you have on how to help them- as well as your take on “forcing” Mass on angry teens/young adults.
Thank you, Father!

FATHER JOE:

I would be curious as to why they no longer believe and desire to practice their faith.

I may be wrong about this, but if I were a parent, I would demand that my children attend Mass even if they do not take Holy Communion. My father insisted, that as long as we were under his roof, we went to Sunday Mass. Right or wrong, that is my sentiment as well. I can still hear the echoing of his voice, 16 years after his death: “Better to die than to ever betray your Catholic religion!”
JOY, on September 7, 2016 at 1:45 pm said:

THANK YOU very much Father! I can understand it clearly the way you explain it. God Bless you!
JOY, on September 6, 2016 at 11:00 pm said:

Father, this quote bothers me,

“Even if Catholics faithful to Tradition are reduced to a handful, they are the ones who are the true Church of Jesus Christ.” ~St. Athanasius ”

So if I am not a Traditional Catholic I am not of the TRUE Church of Jesus Christ?????

FATHER JOE: You are misreading St. Athansius. He is one of the patristic fathers of the Church (296-373 AD). He is not talking about conservative versus progressive Catholicism. He is speaking about good Catholics who were faithful to the traditions and faith passed down to them from the apostles. Remember, there would be no canonical Bible until Hippo in 393 AD. Traditional Catholics believed that Jesus was a divine Person while the Arians wrongly taught that he was a creature. St. Athansius was defending the true faith. The New Testament would spring from the oral traditions of the faith. Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture would be regarded as the two fonts or sources for Christian revelation. Those who would deny the divinity and incarnation of Christ or the Trinity would not be regarded as Christian.
Paul, on September 6, 2016 at 10:26 pm said:

I want to ask a question about the church and “knighthood”… a friend who happens to be marvelously wealthy by marriage (he married a billionaire’s daughter) as well as highly educated (doctor and professor with 2 specialties) told me he is being fast-tracked to knighthood via a church organization. Yet my understanding of knights is limited… is morality a part of the selection process or just money? I ask because my friend is a notorious drug addict as well as lifelong adulterer. He denies the faith when asked privately his opinion and once suggested to me that I should bow down to the system to keep my own career (I was expelled from my final year of med school for wearing a crucifix). Are knights the opposite of saints?

FATHER JOE: Unlike British Knighthood, there is no one type of knighthood in the Catholic Church. What you describe is likely the Knights of Malta: such is by invitation only and is exclusive. It can also be expensive, although money raised goes to many humanitarian projects. Most Catholic Knights in the U.S. are Knights of Columbus. They are to be practicing Catholics in good standing. We have minimal dues and try to make a positive difference in 6 areas: Council, Church, Community, Family, Youth and Culture of Life. We also have an insurance program for the security of families. Peace!
st teresa of calcutta, on September 6, 2016 at 7:42 pm said:

Dear Fr Joe,
At my parish we have Mass, followed by confession during adoration. Sometimes the people in attendance are many because this was introduced on Friday afternoons for the jubilee year of mercy.
A priest announced at communion time one day that those who didn’t get a chance to confess before Mass can receive Holy Communion then confess afterwards. Is this right practice?
Thanks for your blog. My condolences and prayers.

FATHER JOE: If a person makes an act of contrition before Mass with the intention to go to Confession soon thereafter… then yes, it is an accepted practice. Peace!
Bryan, on September 5, 2016 at 9:41 pm said:

I have a problem with masturbation. I seem to avoid this activity during the work week. But when I’m off work on weekends or holidays I give in to the act of masturbation. I am 52 years of age and have engaged in this activity throughout my life.

FATHER JOE: While many young people go through this phase, the danger is that it can become an addictive behavior. Left unsaid here is whether you are a married or single person. The ways that couples would work through such issues is different than single people. Human sexuality should not be inward looking but rather should embrace the beloved in marriage. When it does not further the goods of procreation and fidelity, it becomes sinful. Pray about it. Bring it to confession for God’s helping graces. Avoid pornography and anything that would devalue persons to fulfill lust. Do not give up the struggle and know that God loves you and is always ready to forgive.
Kathleen Bower, on September 4, 2016 at 12:50 pm said:

Dear Fr.Joe,
Could you please offer an explanation for those who follow Catholic doctrine regarding abstaining from receiving communion in churches other than Catholic? I would like to be able to offer a theological explanation when occasionally visiting churches with family members who practice a different faith. Thank you.

FATHER JOE: Reception of Holy Communion is viewed by Catholicism as an act akin to a profession of faith. When offered the host and you say AMEN, you are acknowledging the REAL PRESENCE of the Eucharist, the authority of the Church that gives you the sacrament and witnessing to unity with the whole Church. That is why non-Catholics are not invited to take the sacrament in our churches. The Anglicans see it differently… as a means toward ecclesial unity instead of a unity with God and the Church that is already realized. The “closed” table of Catholicism has older roots than the “open” table of Anglicanism. Catholics cannot take communion in non-Catholic churches because they are not one with those churches. Further, there is no real presence of Jesus (even if their authorities claim such, and many do not). The act of communion in churches where you are not a member is sacrilege. It is a deceit. It is also the sin of religious indifferentism. We believe that the Catholic Church is the true Church established by Christ. All churches are not the same. Catholics are forbidden to take an active part in the worship of Protestant and non-Catholic churches (or ecclesial communities).
Edgar Uriarte, on September 3, 2016 at 10:19 pm said:

Good afternoon Father,

My question is in regards to getting married. I was baptized catholic and did my first communion, but soon after that around 13 years old I became a “christian” and no longer attended the catholic church. My fiance is a catholic and wants to get married catholic which I am totally ok with, but we are getting the, “merry go round” in regards to this process. They are asking me if I was baptized “christian” which I was, but they want some sort of certificate showing this, but my church does not do that, I can show my certificate of when i was a catholic. Can I get married in the Catholic church still with this information provided?

FATHER JOE:

First, Catholics were the first Christians. What you did was move or defect (in terms of participation) from the Catholic Church to a non-Catholic Christian denomination.

Second, the Church regards your Catholic baptism as valid. Once baptized, you cannot be validly baptized again. Thus, your second or attempted baptism has no weight in the Catholic Church. We do not re-baptize those from traditional Protestant faith communities either. When they come to us there is an act of reception, and then, first communion and confirmation.

While you might not regard yourself as Catholic Christian, the Church would still regard you as such. The matter of lacking confirmation may be an issue (given around 13 years of age), but could probably be worked out between the priest witnessing the vows and the diocese. (If you were regarded as non-Catholic, you would have to get a dispensation where the person who is actively Catholic pledges to remain Catholic and to do all he or she can do to raise children in the Catholic faith.)

Anyhow, to make a long story short, the Catholic baptismal certificates are the first documents you need. The priest will interview you both, filling out the prenuptial investigation forms. You may need to take Pre-Cana classes and a premarital inventory may be required (like FOCCUS). You will also need the marriage license.
Basil, on September 2, 2016 at 5:04 pm said:

My response to the whole Mike thing…

Just ban him Father Joe. There is no point in arguing with some close-minded and arrogant man who can only bash others without much critique. Other than that, let’s go pray for him as well.
Mike, on September 1, 2016 at 11:54 pm said:

Fatima died rejecting the truth of the Gospel, thus her condemnation is evident.

FATHER JOE: Who is Fatima? Do you mean the youngest daughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad? I know about the visionaries and the apparitions in Portugal, but this curse you make against someone is unclear. We leave divine judgment to God.

Challenging Catholic doctrine isn’t ridiculing it. Anyone who dies apart from Messiah is already condemned. Yeshua is quite clear (John‬ ‭3:9-21).

FATHER JOE:

You did more than challenge. You insulted and impugned. You spammed with multiple postings. You can do what you want at your own site, but you should respect the blogs of others and the purposes to which they are used. As for the quote, it is non-topical to this particular concern. If your purpose was to ask a question or to discuss doctrine, then it should go something like this:

Question: Dear Father (or pastor if so inclined), is it true that none are saved apart from Christ?

Response: Yes, the Church and all authentic Christianity teach that none come to the heavenly Father except through Jesus Christ. Jesus bridges this world and the world to come with his saving Cross. Jesus is the one Mediator, the anointed one or Christ, the long promised Messiah. His is the saving name. We are called to an obedient and loving faith in our Lord. The kingdom of God breaks into the world (first) through the person of Jesus Christ. God has come to save his own.

My challenge of transubstantiation is a valid critique, as is your unBiblical baptismal practises.

FATHER JOE:

You made no challenge at all. Christianity believed in the REAL PRESENCE going back to the very beginning. It was only with the Reformation that some questioned it or at least the mode of the presence. Scripture affirms it (especially the Gospel of John) and does not bring the teaching into doubt. You would be among the Jews who murmured and walked away from Jesus.

You keep coming back to spread mischief. I hope my responses to you are not in vain. But I fear you have closed both your head and your heart. “Transubstantion” was merely a useful word to help believers appreciate the REAL PRESENCE of Jesus in his Eucharist. You dispute words but miss the truths behind them. You can neither make nor renew a covenant with a fake sacrifice or fake flesh and blood. Jesus gives us himself!

2 Tim 2:14-19 – Remind people of these things and charge them before God to stop disputing about words. This serves no useful purpose since it harms those who listen. Be eager to present yourself as acceptable to God, a workman who causes no disgrace, imparting the word of truth without deviation. Avoid profane, idle talk, for such people will become more and more godless, and their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have deviated from the truth by saying that the resurrection has already taken place and are upsetting the faith of some. Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands, bearing this inscription, “The Lord knows those who are his”; and, “Let everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord avoid evil.”

You are so enthusiastic about finding thorns in the eyes of others that you are blind to the log in your own. I humbly submit to the Church Christ established. You arrogantly promote your own notions. I say this not to hurt you but in the hope that you might awaken to what you are doing.

1 Peter 3:13-17 – Now who is going to harm you if you are enthusiastic for what is good? But even if you should suffer because of righteousness, blessed are you. Do not be afraid or terrified with fear of them, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that be the will of God, than for doing evil.

I will keep you in prayer and I will obey the Lord who tells us to love those who hate us and to forgive those who hurt us.
Stephen, on September 1, 2016 at 12:04 am said:

Dear Father, I have a situation for which I need help. I have a person in my lay order who got divorced, left the Church for a time and remarried a Protestant. I was told that a priest con-validated their marriage without having procuring an annulment. My regional fraternity had a visitation which requested documentation but there is no record in the parish. It is awkward because while she might be acting in good faith, the priest may have overstepped his authority.

My current plan is to draw up two different sworn statements and have at least one of them signed in front of a notary republic. One being drawn for the priest and if he does not sign then the other sworn statement would be by the divorcee/remarried member of my fraternity. Thanks!

FATHER JOE:

If the woman was not free to marry then no matter whether it was witnessed by a priest or not, the “new” marriage is neither licit nor valid in the Church. A priest’s whim cannot violate divine positive law. But could you be wrong about the lack of a declaration of nullity? What should you do?

First, you want to help this woman who wants to live as a good Catholic and as a Secular Franciscan. If she left the Church for awhile then this is a readmission. Discuss the matter with your Chaplain. Never seek to inflict pain upon wounded believers or to further scandal with clergy. While doing the right thing, our motivation should always be reconciliation and healing.

Second, couples who receive con-validations have a right to a certificate from the Church. Marriages are public sacraments and she has a right to such documentation and you can ask to see it (given her history). If she has no such document and the priest refuses to give her anything in writing, then have her talk with the Order Chaplain or another priest. If there is an irregularity, he can assist her to truly resolve the matter and the other priest can be censured in private by his Ordinary. You do not want to play the Inquisitor in all this.