JUNE/JULY2015

ASK A PRIEST
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

FATHER KEVIN BATES, SM
FATHER LAZARUS CHAWDI
PRIEST STAFF
CATHOLICVIEW STAFF


PRIEST STAFF

"My wife died of cancer in 2007 and I married 3 years ago
a woman who has three children by two different men.  She
never married either and one had a wife.  Am I a sinner
in the eyes of the Church? - David


 

Father Francisco:

I am 58 years old. My wife of 30 years died of cancer in 2007. I have since married again (3 years). My wife has 3 children of her own by 2 different men whom she was not married to. This I had known while we were dating. I have recently found out the father of her 2 youngest children was married when they had these 2 children together. The fact that this was not told to me troubles me. I do not know if I would have married her had I known this. Am I a sinner in the eyes of the Church for being married to someone that has committed adultery? - David

___________________________________________ 

David:

I want to make this as clear as possible to you.  You are not a sinner because you married someone who had committed adultery in the past.  What is important is your marriage now. 

You do not say if you were married in the Church in a sacramental marriage.  So, I am going to presume that you were married in the Church.  Even though you did not know all the details of how your present wife had these children (with a married man, therefore she was the children's father's mistress), your present marriage to her is valid in the Church's eyes unless proven otherwise in your diocesan marriage tribunal.   You did not have all the information about your wife's past, but you had some and you married her, children and all.  You could say that you were deceived in some form, which is a cause for an ecclesiastical decree of annulment.  But I am sure that you love your wife, and you love these three children no matter how they came into being by God's Will. 

You did not sin.  You loved with a huge and generous heart.  That's what God sees, and that is what the Church accepts.  Go forward, for what is real and true is the present and not the past.  That is what forgiveness is all about. - Father Francisco 


"Will God Forgive Me If I Get A Religious Tattoo? - Jessica
 

Father Cervantes:

I'm Jessica from Winsted, CT.  I'm planning to get baptized Christian at my church sometime in the future, and after the baptism, I want to get a tattoo with a cross and the date I was baptized going down my back (not leading to inapropriate areas), but I heard and read online that getting a tattoo is a sin, I've been thinking about this for a long time and I really want to do this, but at the same time I don't want the baptism to go to waste because of this, so my question is, Will God forgive me if I get this tattoo?  - Jessica  

_________________________________________________________ 

Jessica:

Tattoos are not something I personally like on my body or anyone's body.  But people get tattoos for various reasons.  I cannot judge anyone with tattoos.  With that said, I am sure that people have told you of their dislike of tattoos.  I am sure that you were advised by other Christians that the prohibition of tattoos for believers in God is against the Bible.  Here is what the Old Testament (the Hebrew scriptures) say about this subject:  In Leviticus 19:28 - Do not lacerate your bodies for the dead, and do not tattoo yourselves.  I am the LORD. 

In the Old Testament times, and even in New Testament times, tattoos were always associated with pagan rituals and pagan religious practices.  So, the above mentioned bible verse is to be seen in this context:  tattoos were a way to identify oneself with a pagan entity, a pagan religious practice, or even an immoral career choice, such as prostitution.  This prohibition against tattoos were part of the Old Law and Covenant that was fulfilled in Jesus Christ and His death and resurrection.  We now live in a New Covenant and a New Law which does not include this prohibition. 

I am happy that you will be baptized and be part of the Body of Christ and the Church.  Getting a tattoo is not sinful as long as it is not done in praise of a pagan deity, pagan religious ritual, or for some anti-Christian reason (anything Satanic).  Now, I would advise you not to get a tattoo at all.  But that's me.  I do not want you to regret any permanent mark on your body later. 

I am reminded of what Saint Paul wrote in the New Testament, in I Corinthians 6:19:  "Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?  For you have been purchased at a price.  Therefore glorify God in your body."  Now, I would not like anyone putting graffiti on the temple of God.  Your body is the temple of God.  That's the reason I personally do not like tattoos for myself. 

Once again, that's me.  But the tattoo as you describe is not sinful.  And your baptism can NEVER go to waste, as you say, because it is your faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior that makes your baptism meaningful (and that saves you) and for Catholics, sacramental.  Be at peace with the decision you make.  Getting a tattoo is not sinful.  But, I just don't like them.  I strongly advise against it.  But getting a tattoo is not against God.  - Father Cervantes



"I  made a promise to God that I would never do something again
because it was causing me to sin.   Now I can do that thing
again without sinning.  Can you help me tell God I don't
need this prayer to be a good Christian anymore?" - Jim

                              
Father Francisco:


I made a promise to God that I would never do something again, because it was causing me to sin.  I now can do that thing without sinning, i.e. in accordance with the scriptures and I really want to, but I cannot break my promise to God. This is causing me to get into a lot of grey areas on my promise and I cannot stand it. Can you help me tell god I don't need this prayer to be a good Christian anymore? Can you dispel this? (can. 1196)? Please help.  - Jim

________________________________________________________

Jim:

I do not understand what you are asking.  You say that you promised God that you wouldn't do "something" that was causing you to sin, but now you say that this "something" is now not causing you to sin.  I do not understand what this act is since you do not describe it. 

I would presume that something that causes you to sin would always cause you to fall into sin and cause problems.  I don't see how that can change.  If you are having, as you say, a lot of gray areas, then don't do the action and keep your promise.  Then you say it is a prayer that you don't need anymore to be a good Christian.  So, your question is confusing.  If you truly believe that this act no longer causes you to sin, then God understands and you are free from your promise.  You don't need any deacon, priest, or bishop to release you from this kind of promise.  This was a promise between you and God.  You have fulfilled the promise and now you are free from this promise. 

As to Canon 1196 that you mentioned from the Church's Code of Canon Law, this particular code has to do with someone who has made a personal vow of either celibacy, poverty, or obedience to a religious superior.  Your promise is NOT covered by Canon 1196 which says this and as you can see, it does not apply to your situation unless your promise had to do with private vows of celibacy, poverty, and obedience:  Canon 1196:  In addition to the Roman Pontiff, the following can dispense from private vows for a just cause provided that a dispensation does not injure a right acquired by others:

1/ the local ordinary and the pastor with regard to all their subjects and even travelers;

2/ the superior of a religious institute or society of apostolic life if it is clerical and of pontifical right with regard to members, novices, and persons who live day and night in a house of the institute or society;

3/ those to whom the Apostolic See or the local ordinary has delegated the power of dispensing.

Hope this clarifies your question.  - Father Francisco


"My sister has been
indulging in what she calls "self healing. 
What should I say to her regarding the Catholic Church and
this practice?" - Hugh


Father Francisco:

My sister has now for a few years been indulging in what she calls "self healing", by which she claims she can cure herself and others by working on their "aura". I thought this to be a silly superstition and have never believed in any of this. Lately my sister came for a visit and we went for a walk. On our walk she began telling me that I should walk barefoot to get a good grounded connection with the spiritual energy of the earth. When I disagreed with her (the spiritual energy I need comes from the sacraments) she began waving her arms around and explained to me that this is how she deflects negative energies. I told her that this sounded a lot like new age practices and was not certainly not condoned by the Catholic Church. Her response was that before indulging in said practice, she prays to the Holy Spirit and so the practice is fine. My sister is a Catholic and I find the whole thing very disturbing. I am not sure about what to say to her about this. She is very intolerant about any criticism regarding this and says she keeps herself healthy by healing herself this way.  Should I be talking to her regarding this and if so, what should I say regarding the Catholic Church and this practice.  - Hugh

______________________________________________________ 

Hugh:

Your sister probably has had many burdens in her life and she sought ways to help her navigate through the pain of her burdens.  She found a way to help her overcome her fears, anxieties, and insecurities through this "new age" energy practices.  This is certainly and clearly not your way in dealing with the ups and downs of life.  But because it is not for you and you deal with life differently through our Catholic faith in Jesus as Lord, please do not put down your sister's coping mechanisms even though these mechanisms seems foreign and crazy. 

When you say that "the spiritual energy I need comes from the sacraments," you admit to the energy of the Spirit of God working through the sacraments and I totally agree with you.  But God shows His healing and loving energy all around us and is not limited to sacramental rites.  All creation is filled with the energy of the Creator.   

Your sister has her way of tapping into this Divine energy, and you have yours.  But both of you are believers in Jesus Christ, and both of you find that your spiritual lives are filled by the sacramental life of the Church, and that both of you have been saved by the blood of Christ.  She says that she prays to the Holy Spirit before she tries to get in touch with the Creator's energy around her.  Well, then, I say, good for her.  As long as she keeps her practice of trying to tap into the positive energy around her by the power of the Holy Spirit, she is on her own blessed spiritual path to being one with God in heaven.  People's spiritual journeys are individual and unique, yet connected to the Body of Christ, the Church. 

Don't condemn your sister.  Instead, just accept that your sister's spiritual journey is different from yours, yet you are both believing Christians in the Catholic Church.  I suggest that you no longer argue with your sister about this issue.  Instead, when it is time and it is appropriate, pray with each other!  Arguing about one's unique spiritual journey only brings negative and hateful energy to the discussion to no one's benefit. 

God is energy, and God is love, and God is everything beautiful and good.  Share the "good vibrations" with your sister instead of fighting with her.  You don't have to go barefoot to find God.  But you don't have to put down anyone because they see the world in a different way from you.  We are all God's children.  - Father Francisco 

 
"My husband has been abusive to me in our entire marriage.
We have small children with one having a health issue.  Should I
divorce him?  What do you think?" - Jessica     

 


Father Francisco:

My husband has been abusive to me in nearly every way through our entire marriage. He sought help five years ago and the more serious abuse (physical, spiritual, sexual) stopped completely. He was better in all ways for nearly two years, then the emotional and verbal abuse started to creep back in. It is now a daily occurence and he is now verbally and emotionally abusive to our oldest teen daughter. I know I am right to want to divorce but struggle with actually taking that step. I fear how I will support my children, what will happen once I file the papers, etc. I am in a private online Christian support group for women in abusive marriages and several of them always talk about praying for God to open a window/door for them to leave, usually in the means of financial resources. I did not get married in the catholic church, my marriage leads me to sin, having anger and hate towards my husband, not practicing my faith, etc. I knew I should not have married my husband before I did, and ignored God talking to me. So I think at least in my case I can't wait on God to open a door for me. I think he is waiting for me to open the door myself and show him that I am ready to live right and follow him and to rely on him to provide for mine and my children's needs. I think that if I were to stay waiting for this magical windfall of money that I would be choosing to live in sin and God does not want us to wait around in sin for a more opportune time to stop sinning. Is this thinking right? I have sought legal counsel and they say I am in the position to seek spousal support and exclusive use of the home from my husband, but based on his character I fear he will have a break down and quit his job and possibly disappear, leaving me financially ruined and helpless as I have small children, one of whom has a health issue and leaving him in daycare for me to return to work is not ideal. But I keep telling myself that is the wrong thinking, and I just need to put my faith in God and do what is best for the mental well being of myself and my kids, and once I make that first step, then maybe God will open some doors for me. What do you think? - Jessica

____________________________________________________________ 

Jessica:

Your last paragraph is your answer:  "But I keep telling myself that this is wrong thinking, and I need to put my faith in God and do what is nest for the mental well being of myself and my kids, and once I make the first step, then maybe God will open some doors for me."  What you said was very wise and very inspirational.  You are on the right track.  No one needs to stay in any marriage that is filled with the abuse that you describe.  The old saying that "God helps those who help themselves" is another way of saying what you stated in your last paragraph above. 

I am sorry to hear of the suffering you have endured over the years, suffering you endured for the love of your children.  I am also happy to hear that you are in an on-line Christian support group and I suggest that you continue to share your burdens with them and seek their wisdom gleaned from their experiences.  You are on the right track. 

May the Spirit of God open doors for you and may your children grow in the love of God.  And keep praying all the time.  You have discerned correctly that the time is right to move forward into peace.
 -  Father Francisco

 "
How can we pray to our loved ones if we don't
 rise from the dead until Judgment Day? - Ann


Father Cervantes:

I'm trying to become deeper in my faith and have a question.  How can we pray to our loved ones, or to Saints, if we don't rise from the dead until Judgment Day?  Do we just stay in the ground until then ? Thanks for your help. - Ann

 ________________________________________________________

Ann:

Your body stays in the ground but your soul, your spirit lives forever.  The soul is what animates the body.  Once the soul leaves the body, the body dies and becomes motionless.  Your soul is the energy of the body, and the soul contains your entire being, your energy, your memory, everything you are. 

Once your soul is freed from the body, you go to heaven or to hell....according to your faith and life.  This is explained quite clearly when Jesus did this on the cross as He was dying (see Luke 23:42-43):  Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."  Jesus replied to him, "Amen I say to you, TODAY you will be with me in Paradise."  Jesus told the thief crucified with Him that he would be in Paradise that very day!  How can that be since the thief's body was buried and is still awaiting the resurrection of the dead at the end of time.  The thief's soul, his total personality, would be united with Jesus after his death! 

Also, Jesus told this parable that shows souls live on despite the body waiting for the resurrection of the dead.  This parable is in Luke 16:19-31.  The parable story is about Lazarus and the rich man.  Here is the summary version of the story that you can read yourself:  "When the poor man died, he was carried away by the angels to the bosom of Abraham.  The rich man also died, and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side."  The rest of the story is fascinating and a glimpse of the afterlife.  Jesus describes that Lazarus died and was carried by the angels to heaven.  The rich man was speaking from his place in torment called hell.  Quite clear that our souls live after death either in heaven or hell, in God's presence or not. 

In Revelation, Chapter 6, Verse 9-11, John the Elder wrote about what he saw in his vision of the Last Day and made this observation about the souls of the just and the martyrs who were awaiting the Last Resurrection and Judgment.  "When He broke open the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those slaughtered because of the witness they bore to the Word of God.  They cried out in a loud voice, "How long will it be, Holy and True Master, before you sit in judgment and avenge our blood on the inhabitants of the earth?"  Each of them were given a white robe, and they were told to be patient a little longer until the number was filled of their fellow servants and brothers who were going to be killed as they had been.  From this biblical verse, it shows quite clearly that when we die, our souls live on, and even talk to Jesus face to face, praying and asking for judgment on an unbelieving world (once again, intercessory prayer in action in heaven).

When we talk to the saints or to our family members that have died and went to heaven, they hear us and, in their own way, they watch over us and await that day when we will join them in heaven.  When you die, the angels will carry you to Jesus, and your love for your family lives on forever, and from your place in heaven, you will watch over them all, and even ask Jesus face to face to help your family members (intercessory prayer).  For your soul lives on forever, and when the universe comes to an end, your soul will be reunited with your glorified body in a new heavens and a new earth (Revelation 21:1).  In Philippians 3:21:  'He will change our lowly bodies to conform with the glorified body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself.' 

Until that time, our souls are at peace with the Lord when we die.  We live forever!  -  Father Cervantes



"When people go to Heaven do they forget about their
life on earth?"  - Airam


Father Francisco:

When people go to Heaven, do they forget about their life on earth or the people that became a part of their earthly life? - Airam

_______________________________________________________ 

Airam:

When you die, your soul goes either to heaven or hell, depending on your faith in Jesus and your life in Jesus. 

In heaven, you will always remember everything and you will continue to love your family and friends.  In hell, the lost soul will remember everything in regret and pain.  You will remember everything.  Your memories will be your joy or your hell in the afterlife. 

So, live your life in Jesus and rejoice with Him forever with the happy memories you made here on earth.  - Father Francisco


"My wife and I were married civilly.  Why
can't Catholic go to Communion? - Lawrence


Father Francisco:

We have a civil wedding.  One is Catholic.  Since Church doesn't recognize marriage why can't Catholic go to communion?  We wed 50yrs and other person is Protestant. Thank you. - Lawrence

_________________________________________________________ 

Lawrence:

We ask all Catholics who are going to get married to have their marriage solemnized in the Church with the sacrament of Holy Matrimony.  Once you are living the sacrament of Holy Matrimony, you become living symbols of Christ's love for His bride, the Church.  Civil marriages without the Church's blessing do not symbolize this great mystery of Christ and His Church. 

In the New Testament, Ephesians 5:31-32:  "For this reason, a man shall leave his father and his mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.  This is a great mystery, but I speak in reference to Christ and His Church."   And in the Book of Revelation, Chapter 21, Verse 2, "I also saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband."  

When Catholics marry outside of the sacrament of Holy Matrimony, the Church says that they cannot receive communion until their marriage is recognized by the Church as being the living symbol of Christ's marriage to His Church.  You can have your marriage solemnized in the Church.  All you need to do is present your baptismal certificate and your wife's Christian baptism document (or if she can't, no problem) and you can have your marriage solemnized in the Church.  Then you can receive communion again.  Please talk to your parish priest or deacon and have your marriage symbolize Christ's love for us all.  -  Father Francisco



FATHER KEVIN BATES, SM
"
"Is it a sin to download music videos from YouTube?"
- Miguel
 

                                           

Father Kevin:

I have a question. Is it a sin to download music videos from YouTube?  Thank you.  Miguel

 ______________________________________________

Hi Miguel;

I suppose if you are breaching any copyright provisions that accompany the music video, there would be a moral question there.  If the clip has no copyright notice attached, I would presume the people responsible want you to enjoy it!

All good wishes.  -  Father Kevin


"During confession I feel that my priest doesn't
like me.  Is this me?" - Jimmy

Father Kevin:

Sometimes I feel like my priest doesn't like me.  I feel that during confession he doesn't care. Is this me? Jimmy

 ___________________________________________________________

Dear Jimmy:

Maybe your priest doesn’t like you, or maybe your priest is wrestling with his own inner demons and finds it hard to engage with yours and perhaps other people’s struggles.  I think it best not to take it personally and know that in the Sacrament the conversation is strictly between you and God.  The priest is only the mediator and what is said there is really not his business.  It is your sacred ground and the priest needs to respect that.

If your priest acts as if he is not respecting you, one suggestion would be for you to seek out another priest with whom you feel more at ease.

Every blessing and prayers coming your way.  -  Father Kevin



"Would Jesus wake me up at night to accomplish some
work for Him?"  - Kenneth

Father Kevin:

Does Jesus wake you up 2:00 A.M or earlier to accomplish some work for him?  I'm writing religious stories. However, I feel tired for the rest of the day. I believe it's a spiritual force involved.  If it's Jesus, then could it be a way of the cross to suffer for Him? Kenneth

________________________________________________________ 

Hi Kenneth and greetings from Sydney:

You could be on to something and only you will know the truth of it in your own heart.  Your experience may well be a genuine experience of the Cross and only you will come to know the truth of that.  If I get woken up at that hour of the morning it’s usually more urgent calls of nature that are responsible!  Every blessing with the writing you are doing.  -  Father Kevin
 

 

 

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