SEPT/OCT
2014
ASK A PRIEST
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
FATHER KEVIN BATES, SM
FATHER LAZARUS CHAWDI
CATHOLICVIEW STAFF
PRIEST STAFF
FATHER KEVIN BATES,
SM
"I suffer from
Autism. If I listen to Holy Mass on the radio
and consume the consecrated host, is this a valid
participation of Holy Mass? - Dirk
CatholicView:
I suffer from
autism. When I go to Mass with public transport it is a burden
on my nerves because of over-stimulation. It makes me very tense
even before Mass begins. After Mass I have to go back home with
the same result on my nerves. At home I need to recover for
hours. If I listen to Holy Mass on radio and consume a
consecrated Host (which I keep in a Pyx) when the priest
distributes the Hosts to the people, is this a valid
participation of Holy Mass? - Dirk
________________________________________
Dear Dirk,
Thank you for your
question which is a very important one. If we take Jesus at his
word, we can be confident that God only asks to do our best. God
doesn’t ask us to inflict unnecessary suffering on ourselves,
but rather to take care of the life he has given us. Each of us
has gifts and capacities. Each of us is limited by age, health,
economy and so on. Your autism is a significant burden and I am
sure Jesus would be more than happy if you learn to carry that
burden as lightly as you can.
So if we treat God
as someone we know and love well, questions about laws fade into
their proper place. They are to help us develop a loving
intimate relationship with God. They are not meant to be a
burden that is too difficult for us to carry.
In other words, if
you are truly coming to know God’s love, you will know that God
perfectly understands your situation and the struggle you have
going to Mass by public transport. I suggest you have come up
with a very good solution to your situation that Jesus would
applaud as being sensible. It seems that you will pray in a
more focused and free way if you are fresh and not exhausted or
troubled from your travels.
The letter of the
law doesn’t always fit all our circumstances. St Thomas Aquinas
noted this in the 16th century and advises us to
follow our conscience in all things rather than slavishly
following a law which as he put it “May offend the spirit of
charity that the law is intended to serve.” Every blessing. -
Father Kevin
"Why are you certain, as a priest, there is a God?" - Kieran
Father:
I am an Irish
Catholic from county Cork but have been struggling with my faith
for a few years. Can I ask why are you so certain there is a
God? Particularly when the world around us is becoming more and
more hostile to religion. –
Kieran
________________________________
HI there Kieran,
Firstly your
question makes some assumption about my faith! Yes I am a
priest. Do I have doubts about the ultimate questions,
including the question about the existence of God? Of course I
do. Sometimes, especially when I am conducting a funeral the
questions will come up for me and I am challenge to explore
again what it is I believe.
The whole thing’s
a great mystery and none of us knows for certain what the
answers to all the big questions are. Having said that, I’m
betting my whole life, even in the midst of occasional doubts
and questions, on the presence of God and the intention of God
for us to find a home in that Love who is God when we die.
It’s the only way
I can make sense of our life here. If I imagine that reality
starts and ends at the end of my own intellectual capacity, my
own imaginings, my own discoveries, then I am truly having
myself on and ego rather than a real quest for truth take center
stage.
If I allow life’s
mysteries to keep calling me forward, to explore, to wrestle, to
doubt and ultimate to believe, then I am always open to seeing
and understanding more than I have seen and understood to this
point.
When my ideas and
opinions are frozen into one set of convictions that allow of no
question, no conversation, no growth, then I am as good as dead
and probably my life is one of great boredom and frustration,
filled with distractions that keep me from asking any further
questions.
Life is much more
fun and infinitely more satisfying if like Peter that day on the
lake, I dare to get out of the boat and go looking for Jesus as
he did. Sure I’ll sink now and then, sink into doubts, darkness
and a sense of being abandoned. These times can become the
occasions for my best learning and growth and wisdom can emerge.
Enjoy the ride!!
- Father Kevin
Can my non-Christian Godson's wife receive blessings
from a priest?" - Shirley
Father Kevin:
My godson has a
wife who is currently ill in hospital. As a non-catholic
non-Christian, will his wife be able to receive blessings from a
priest? – Shirley
_______________________________
HI Shirley:
Of course, if his
wife wishes to be blessed by a priest, there is nothing to stop
her from receiving such a blessing and a priest should be
willing to give such a blessing. Jesus was constantly on the
lookout for people that were not part of his own religious
tradition and some of his loveliest encounters were with people
who were beyond the reach of how “good” religious people
imagined they should be. He simply loved them and blessed them
with his presence. We’re pretty safe in suggesting that he is
our best model in this regard.
Please pass on my
blessing to your godson’s lovely wife all the way from sunny
Sydney – and one for you too. - Father Kevin
PRIEST STAFF
"I am a
bartender and someone wanted advice about
their son's suicide. Was I wrong with my advice?
- Steven
Father:
As a bartender, I'm often told
things that most people would never want to confess. As a
Catholic, I try to advise them, but sometimes even I'm stuck.
For instance, today, I had someone come in talking about their
son's suicide. I know it is wrong, but I suggested that if they
loved their son, and their son loved them, then God was
there....even at that terrible moment. Was I wrong? - Steven
___________________________________
Steven:
Your job as a bartender must be a very interesting one since you
have your hand on the pulse of the people who come there to
unwind. I pray that the Lord bless you with wisdom in all that
you do.
Yes, I am quite aware that people would tell a bartender things
that they would never tell anyone else, except for me, a
priest. I bet that together we could write a book on the human
condition! Your advice to the parent who lost their son to
suicide is RIGHT ON, perfect for the situation that you found
yourself. Why do you say it is wrong?
Your answer was filled with the Holy Spirit's wisdom for that
grieving parent. Praise God for your words! I think you may
have thought that your sage advice was wrong because in the
past, many religious leaders and the Catholic Church itself
taught that suicide was akin to murder and the taking of one's
life would be covered in the commandment,
You Shall Not
Kill
(Exodus 20). And murder is one of the deadly sins (mortal
sin) which condemns the one who committed murder to eternal
hell. And since a person who committed suicide would be
considered in the past as a "self-murderer," it would appear
that this person would be condemned to the fires of hell for
this mortal sin. But things have changed. With the scientific
and psychological studies of the human brain and human action,
the Church now realizes that suicide is the end product of an
extremely grave case of mental, emotional, and
spiritual distress in which hope is lost. And when a person is
in the grips of such dire mental, emotional and spiritual
distress and illness, the culpability of their actions is
GREATLY diminished.
To commit a mortal sin, one has to have the complete free will
to do such a grave action. Many who have committed suicide
do not have the mental capacity to make a free will decision.
Instead, they are driven to this action by forces that have
gotten out of their control. Therefore, they do not commit sin
even though their actions will have such painful and serious
effects and consequences that will last a lifetime. Even civil
law recognizes that people with diminished mental faculties
cannot be charged with a serious and grave
(felony) crime because they do not have a free will unencumbered
by mental illness. Your wise advice to the parent grieving
their son
is
the Church's teaching in this matter. Thank you for being so
compassionate to this parent.
For your (and our readers) information, here is the official
teaching of the Church on suicide as expressed in the Catechism
of the Catholic Church, sections 2280-2283, and I draw your
attention to section 2282 (b) in regards to diminished mental
capacity:
Suicide
2280 Everyone
is responsible for his life before God who has given it to him.
It is God who remains the sovereign Master of life. We are
obliged to accept life gratefully and preserve it for his honor
and the salvation of our souls. We are stewards, not owners, of
the life God has entrusted to us. It is not ours to dispose of.
2281 Suicide
contradicts the natural inclination of the human being to
preserve and perpetuate his life. It is gravely contrary to the
just love of self. It likewise offends love of neighbor because
it unjustly breaks the ties of solidarity with family, nation,
and other human societies to which we continue to have
obligations. Suicide is contrary to love for the living God.
2282 If
suicide is committed with the intention of setting an example,
especially to the young, it also takes on the gravity of
scandal. Voluntary co-operation in suicide is contrary to the
moral law.
Grave
psychological disturbances, anguish, or grave fear of hardship,
suffering, or torture can diminish the responsibility of the one
committing suicide.
2283 We
should not despair of the eternal salvation of persons who have
taken their own lives. By ways known to him alone, God can
provide the opportunity for salutary repentance. The Church
prays for persons who have taken their own lives.
Keep working for the Lord. God bless you! -
Father Francisco
"If I find a tabernacle that is not in use, should I
still genuflect toward the tabernacle?" - Eris
Father:
If I found
that the tabernacle is empty (no lights on, no bishop around,
and I just know that it is really empty (they emptied it for
some reason), what should I do? Should I still genuflect towards
the tabernacle? - Eris
__________________________________
Eris:
You only
genuflect to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. One never
genuflects to the tabernacle. When the tabernacle is empty, one
does not genuflect. Just walk by. Since we are on this
subject, if the tabernacle with the Blessed Sacrament is
present, genuflect (usually one knows whether Jesus in the
Blessed Sacrament is present by the red sanctuary candle light
that hangs near the tabernacle...if the candle is lit, the
Blessed Sacrament is in the tabernacle. If the candle is not
lit and the doors of the tabernacle are open to show that the
Blessed Sacrament is not being kept there, then no genuflection
is made). One always bows to the main (center) altar in the
church as a sign of respect for the altar that represents Jesus
Christ and His one eternal sacrifice for the salvation of
humankind. So, when you pass in front of the altar, one bows
their head and then go on to their destination within the church
building. -
Father
Cervantes
"There's about 240 million males who can't build their
own families. How can we solve this? - Bob
Father Francisco:
There is a 7% access in male
population or about 240 million males who can't build their own
families. I realize that not all of these men can live single or
become priests, so how can we peacefully solve this problem. -
Bob
______________________________________
Bob:
God calls
each person to his singular and special destiny within God's
Plan. We all are made in the image and likeness of God and we
are all made according to God's design and Will. As you say,
some men are unable to procreate according to God's Plan and
Design for their particular destiny. This is not a problem for
God, therefore not a problem for humankind. These men are still
being called to the married life, to the single life, to the
religious life, to the ordained (deacon, priest, bishop) life.
If these "infertile" men do get married, they can still be open
to life by adopting children who need loving parents like them
(could be that God made them infertile so that they could adopt
these beloved children who need loving parents like them). Men
and women who cannot procreate is not a problem to God. He
knows what He is doing. He made them all to serve His Will and
Plan for salvation of humankind. -
Father
Francisco
"I'm getting
confused on what appears to be sects of
Catholicism. What makes them different?" - Donald
Father Francisco:
I'm getting
confused on what appears to be sects of Catholicism. I grew up
as a Catholic and have my convictions deeply rooted in our faith
but I do see from time to time different speakers from St.
Benedictine Monks that are Catholic to Protestants to Eastern
Orthodox to Western Church and I guess I don't understand the
difference but there is something different about all of
these.... Is there an easy answer that can clear up my
confusion? I have also been watching some videos from Brother
David Steindler -Rast who is Benedictine and agree with his
views on spirituality. Do they think any differently than the
Church or what makes them different? Thanks again for the help
and have a good day - Donald
_________________________________
Donald:
The Catholic Church, founded by Jesus Christ on the foundation
of the apostles, is a Church that has maintained the orthodoxy
of the teachings of Christ through the Church's two thousand
year existence. In that time, the teachings of Christ has been
taught and expressed to each generation in its particular
cultural situation. Because of this, the Church's teaching is
rich with many and varied viewpoints (wisdom) on the gospel of
Christ. (Even the gospel of Christ is expressed in four
gospels!)
There are many varied ministries in the Church, each appealing
to a sector of the faithful, yet orthodox in its teaching. The
gospel of Christ and the entire bible is a living and breathing
document, teaching each generation about the mysteries of God,
the morality of believers, and the destiny of all as expressed
in the vocation of humankind to salvation through Jesus Christ.
There is NO difference in orthodox teaching of the gospel of
Christ between the various groups, orders, and religious
communities in the Church. There are differing viewpoints and
interpretations of the gospel, but the teachings are the same.
The Benedictine order with its various different communities
teach the Catholic faith with their own wisdom gained through
the ages.
The teachings of Brother David Steindl-Rast, O.S.B. (please see
this link for more information:
http://www.gratefulness.org/brotherdavid/ )
are based on the spiritual experiences of the Benedictine order
founded by Saint Benedict around 550 A.D.
(http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=26 ). So,
within the Catholic Church, there are not different sects but
different groups that interpret the gospel of Christ according
to their experiences and spiritual needs, yet all teaching the
orthodox faith of Jesus Christ. In regards to Protestants and
other Christian denominations not associated with the Catholic
Church, their teachings are so different from the Catholic
Church's tradition that these Christian denominations are either
separated from the Catholic Church or are on their own,
interpreting the teachings of Jesus in their own fashion and not
on the basis of the apostolic faith that the Catholic Church has
received and kept throughout these past two thousand years.
To answer simply your question, there is no difference between
the groups, orders, communities, and various ministries within
the Catholic Church. All are teaching the gospel of Christ as
handed down to us from the apostles themselves through their
experiences of the love of God and the gift of salvation offered
to all through Jesus Christ. – Father Francisco
"There is a
website on Bible prophecies.
Are these recognized by the Church? - Bob
Father:
I found
following the website about Bible prophecies
www.thepropheticyears.com. Can you please advise
if these prophecies by this author are recognized by the
Catholic Church? – Bob
_________________________________
Bob:
These "prophecies," as you put them, are NOT recognized by the
Catholic Church as orthodox teaching of the bible. These are
fantastical imaginations of those who do not know the cultural,
historical, and spiritual context of the bible as it is
written. Anyone can interpret the bible as they please, it
seems. The Church simply states that Jesus Christ will come
again the judge the living and the dead, and that the world will
end and a new heavens and a new earth will take its place. How
that will be done is left to God, in His way, in His time, and
when He wants to end everything. God bless.
- Father Francisco
"These past
years my desire for intimacy with my
husband has dropped. Is it a sin to mutually
masturbate?" - Barb
Father Cervantes:
Over the
past few years my desire for sexual intercourse has dropped to
nearly zero but my husband's has not. Are we sinning if we
engage in mutual masturbation to express love rather than
intercourse. Due to my age there is no possibility of conception
during intercourse. - Barb
____________________________________
Barb:
I am concerned your low desire for sexual intercourse could be a
signal of health problems. If you cannot express your intimate
love in sexual intercourse, please see a medical professional so
that any major illnesses can be ruled out for your sexual
issues. Otherwise, how your physically express your love and
intimacy in the marital bond is between you both and God.
Please be at peace and enjoy the love that brings you ever
closer to our Creator Who is Love.
– Father Cervantes
"Six weeks ago, I found out my husband
gave me a STD. How do I get over this?"
- Delilah
Father
Francisco:
My husband lost his mother 2 years ago and claims that is his
reason for drinking and smoking more. 6 weeks ago, I found out
he gave me an STD and 2 weeks ago he cheated on me with another
lady. How do I get over this with God's help? – Delilah
Your husband and others always try to find excuses for immoral
behavior to somehow justify their actions and distract from any
sense of guilt in breaking God's law.
I do not accept your husband's excuses for his immoral
behavior. He chose to sin against God and you and his family.
He must seek forgiveness from God and get on his knees in prayer
and repentance. As for you, you have been victimized by the
immoral actions of your husband. Yet, in a prayer that you
probably say every day, THE OUR FATHER, you say, "forgive us our
trespasses (sins) as we forgive those who trespass (sin) against
us." Our call to follow Christ means that we forgive those who
have wronged us, including your husband who has hurt you beyond
understanding.
Forgiveness does not mean to say that everything is fine between
us. What forgiveness does is an action on your part to live in
the
present
and not in the past. Your husband has a lot of repentance to
do. On your part, you must call him to this repentance through
your forgiveness of him which means that you will live in the
here and now and not in the past. Remember, forgiveness is not
a license to sin. Forgiveness is the call of repentance to your
husband from your broken heart and spirit. Forgiveness heals
because it is a conscious decision not to live in the past and
bring up the past. Live for today.
God helps those who help themselves and that means that you may
need the help of a professional marriage counselor to
get through this betrayal of your love for your husband in the
bond of marriage. Your husband has many issues to overcome,
and some of them seems to be addiction to alcohol, smoking, and
sex (sexual addiction?) outside of the sacrament of marriage.
He will need to speak either to his priest/deacon to start the
road to repentance and healing, and you both need to get into
marriage counseling as soon as possible. Trust in God's plan
for you. He will heal your broken heart. And if if your
husband wants to, he too can be healed by God from his
immorality and addictions.
Know that God loves you. – Father Francisco
"My heart is guiding me towards Catholicism. How can
I guide my wife to do this and that Catholicism is worth
it?" - Nicholas
Dear Father:
I am currently struggling with my devotion to God. I know he
exists but I feel lost and not sure what path to follow. I am
not currently a Catholic, technically I'd probably classify
myself as non-denominational. I have this pull or heavy feeling
on my heart that seems to be guiding me towards Catholicism, and
my wife and I are to meet with our local RCIA group soon and
discuss this as well. I guess my question would be how should I
help guide my wife to understanding why I feel we need to do
this and why Catholicism is worth it? - Nicholas
__________________________________
Nicholas:
I am impressed by your spiritual journey to know Jesus Christ as
Lord and Savior in the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church,
founded by Jesus Christ Himself on the foundation of the
apostles, is the keeper of the tradition of Christian teaching
as it is passed down through the ages. You have been called by
God to know Him within the Catholic Church and its spiritual
teachings, its spiritual discipline and way of life.
I am so happy to know that you are to meet with your local Rites
of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) parish group. Your
spiritual maturity in Jesus Christ is a life-long process, and I
pray that you will grow in the Lord within the Catholic Church.
As for wife and you wanting her to be a Catholic with you,
please know that your wife's spiritual destiny is a journey that
you share but one that she has to take up on her own. Her
spiritual journey is different from yours. There is no need to
convince her that your spiritual journey must also be hers. You
cannot, nor should you, control her spiritual maturity in
Christ. You must first focus on your own relationship with God
through the Catholic Church.
Once you begin to understand the call from God to be a Christian
within the Catholic Church can you begin to share with your wife
your journey to the Catholic Church. For now, be at peace and
focus on your own relationship with Jesus as your Lord and
Savior. Let your wife follow her own journey to God. God Bless
you. – Father
Francisco
Our local priest is living with a male 'live in '
companion'. Do I still have to attend Sunday
Mass or can I attend TV Mass? - PJ
Father Francisco:
A parish employee
told me our local priest is living with a male live in
'companion', in an active homosexual relationship is what I
gathered from our conversation. It has been, sadly, rather
common and well publicized in this part of the country. I
have some proof the employee is telling the truth, enough to
feel horrible about attending Mass every time I go there, it's
logistically almost impossible to attend elsewhere, I am a full
time care giver. what is the correct way to handle this
situation? Do I still have an obligation on Sunday or can
I attend TV Mass? – PJ
_________________________________
PJ:
You have an obligation to attend Mass every Sunday at church --
in person -- and not through the television or other ways
of media.
The validity of the Mass and the sacraments does not depend on
the morality of the minister of the sacrament (the teaching of
the church, in Latin,
Ex Opere Operato:
please see link for a definition: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ex_opere_operato).
The Mass is valid no matter if the priest is in a state of grace
or not. Now, to the problem: If it is true that your parish
priest is living in sin, then it is EVERYONE’S responsibility in
the parish church to confront your parish priest about his
immorality and make your complaint known to the diocesan bishop
and the vicar (counselor) for clergy of your diocese.
If the bishop doesn’t know what is going on but you do, you have
the responsibility of informing the bishop about his intolerable
situation. As priests, we call our congregations to repentance
in Jesus Christ. As believers in Jesus in the Catholic Church,
you can call your priest to repentance too. As a matter of
fact, you have the spiritual responsibility to do so.
Please call or write the bishop about what you know about your
parish priest. Please sign your letter. Anonymous letters get
thrown in the trash. You have no idea how many anonymous
letters a bishop receives about various different topics. But
if your letter is signed, or if you mention your name over the
telephone, then your letter or call will be taken seriously and
an investigation will be done, and a confrontation with the
offending priest will happen as soon as possible after the facts
are known. There will be an Episcopal intervention for
the offending priest and it won’t be nice. But it must de done
to maintain the integrity of the teaching of the gospel of
Christ.
Now that you have written to me, you are now tasked to write to
your bishop about this situation
NOW.
Immediately. Don't wait. You are in my prayers
this day. Being a caregiver is a challenge but you will be
richly blessed because of what you are doing for another human
being. And being a faithful Catholic, you are also challenged
to keep the faith pure and you will be richly blessed when you
bring this matter to your diocesan bishop.
May God bless you for all you do for God's Church. -
Father Cervantes
CATHOLICVIEW STAFF
"27 years ago I was intimate with a man who later
committed suicide. This was a terrible mistake.
Is there any hope for me?" Colin
CatholicView Staff:
27 years
ago when I was reckless I laid with a man. This was a terrible
mistake. Is there any hope for me because I truly believe in
God. The person who I laid with committed suicide and I believe
that the circumstances led him to this. Is there hope for me or
will I be put to death? This sin was a very long time ago and
now I realize the sin that I committed was terrible and feel
ashamed. But now I try and live a Godly life and I have
surrendered to Christ. Can I be saved? - Colin
__________________________________
Colin:
Do you
believe in a God Who sent His only Son to die for all of us who
have sinned? And have you asked the Lord for forgiveness of the
sin you committed over 27 years ago? If you did, you have a
friend in Christ, a God Who never sleeps and knows all about
your sin and is willing to forgive you, so you have nothing to
be concerned about. Jesus has already paid for your sin when He
died on the cross for you and for all mankind.
Remember,
if you have prayed for His forgiveness, that sin has already
been erased. If not yet, He is waiting to forgive you right
now and your sin will be forgotten and blotted out from the Book
of Life.
We do not
know if the man you slept with asked for forgiveness in the
final moments before his suicide, but we can only hope that he
did. If so, he is already in heaven, for God is a just God Who
sees all things, including sorrow for past sins.
Ask God for
strength. Know that you, through asking God to forgive you,
have been redeemed in His eyes. Move forward now and continue
to love the Lord. Be at peace. - -
CatholicView Staff
"I'm dating a
Christian girl whose mother won't let us
date because of their religion. I don't consider myself
Catholic or Christian. What should I do?" Anthony
CatholicView Staff:
I am dating a Christian girl and
her mother won't let us date simply because she says I'm not
from their religion but I don't consider myself neither Catholic
or Christian. We both love each other very much and we don't
what to end our relationship because of that. What should I do
? - Anthony
_________________________________
Anthony:
From your letter it seems that
you are saying you are not a Christian? What do you consider
yourself to be? You list yourself as a Catholic in your email
to CatholicView.
If you attend Church regularly,
you are a Christian Catholic. If you are, then I would suggest
you make up your mind and live as the Church teaches, so if you
decide you are a Catholic Christian, please make an appointment
with your priest to discuss this further before you move on to
arranging a possible marriage. May the Lord bless you and
give you clarity. - CatholicView Staff
"The man I am
dating is struggling with his faith.
How do I help him?" - Annie
CatholicView:
I have been
dating the same man for 1 1/2 years now, and I'm very much in
love with him, but recently, he told me that he was struggling
with his faith and I offered to help and he said he doesn't
believe. He said he believes in philosophy and science and he
just can't come to believe the Catholic teachings. How do I
deal with something like this? How do I handle the situation
myself? And how do I help him? - Annie
__________________________________
Annie:
I am going
to assume your friend is Catholic but has lost his faith.
Please pray for your
boyfriend and let him see the pure joy you feel as you attend
mass on Sundays and take the Eucharist... let him see that you
are strong in your faith. Be a witness to him, telling him that
you are praying strongly that he returns to his faith in the
Lord.
If all fails and he will not change, you must discern what this
may bring to you in the future should you continue this
relationship. Think very carefully before you marry someone who
does not believe as you do. And if he refuses to change, you
must decide if you want this man in your life.
If
possible, talk to your priest and discuss this situation. May
the Lord be with you. Hope this helps a bit. -
CatholicView Staff
"Where can I find the story of the mother of seven sons
who were tortured and killed for not disavowing God?
- Tom
CatholicView::
I am seeking verses telling the story of a mother forced to
watch her sons' torture attempting to force them to disavow God.
- Tom
_____________________________________
Dear Tom:
I believe
you are referring to the 2nd Book of the Maccabees 7:1-42. It
is a story of a Jewish mother who had to watch her seven sons
brutally killed. When they refused, Antiochus 1V Epiphanes
arrested a mother
and her seven sons,
and tried to force them to eat pork. When they refused, he
tortured and killed the sons one by one. The remarkable mother
had to watch her sons die one by one. She watched her seven
sons die in the space of a single day, yet she bore it bravely
because she put her trust in the Lord. Each of the sons makes a
speech as he dies, and the last son says that his brothers are
"dead under God's covenant of everlasting life".
To read this amazing story in full, please visit this link:
http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=21&bible_chapter=7
This is a beautiful story of true faith in God. God bless you
for bringing it to light for others to read. -
CatholicView Staff
"My
fiancée
wants
to raise our children Protestant and
when they are of age choose for themselves.. Will the
Church permit such a marriage?" - Brian
CatholicView Staff:
I am a Catholic seeking marriage
with a Protestant woman, but she wants to raise our kids
Protestant until they are old enough to make their own
decisions. If she refuses to raise our kids Catholic, is there
any way the Church would permit such a marriage? - Brian
____________________________________
Brian:
It seems you are planning to
have your marriage in the Catholic Church. If so, your fiancée
would have to stipulate that she will raise the children
Catholic.
I would strongly suggest that
the both of you sit down with a Catholic priest to discuss this
union and what the Catholic Church has to say about what your
fiancee would like to do concerning how your children will be
raised.
Remember, the children will grow
up knowing nothing of your faith. May God be with you as you
make this important marriage decision. - CatholicView
Staff
"I want to be
Catholic but there are no nearby
Churches. What shall I do?" - Jonathan
Catholic View Staff:
I am very
interested in becoming a Catholic, but I don't know of any
Catholic Churches in my area. How can I become a Catholic? -
Jonathan
______________________________
Jonathan:
I am sorry
to hear that there are no Catholic Churches in your area. I do
not know where you live but here is a directory which may help
you: http://www.thecatholicdirectory.com/
. Put in your living information. Also, you may
try to find a diocese close to you and they may offer some
advice on finding a nearby Church where you can worship. Here
is another link which may help:
http://www.ehow.com/how_2322142_find-catholic-church-area.html .
I am hoping
these two will be helpful. Remember if you find one that is
fairly close but yet too far for every Sunday, call them and ask
for a referral to one even closer. Better yet, ask them for
the telephone number of their diocese. They will help you.
May the Lord bless you in finding a spiritual home. -
CatholicView Staff
"A future pregnancy would be life threatening to my
wife and I as Catholics. What should I do?" - Jeff
CatholicView Staff:
My wife
and I use artificial contraception to supplement NFP because a
future pregnancy would be life-threatening to my wife (and child)
and her very irregular periods have made NFP less reliable. I
don't think abstinence for the next 15 years is realistic for
us. Is there any way I can receive Communion between now and
when she reaches menopause since I can't give a true confession
because of this? Can I even continue to attend mass or raise my
children as Catholics? - Jeff
__________________________________
Jeff:
If a doctor has told you that
a future pregnancy would be life threatening to your wife and
child you must obey this ruling. You must safeguard your wife’s
health. Not to do so would mean that your child could lose its
mother. Your wife must follow her doctor’s advice.
May your love mature and grow
as God wills it. Remember that God sees all things. He would
not want your present child to be motherless or worse,
jeopardize your wife’s life. May the Lord grant you peace. -
CatholicView Staff
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