JULY 2007 FATHER KEVIN BATES, SM FATHER CEDRIC PISEGNA, C.P. CATHOLICVIEW STAFF FATHER KEVIN BATES, SM ”My husband says hell is here on earth. What do you think?” - Theresa Father Kevin:
Hi Theresa: Thanks for your question. I think for a
lot of people there is hell on earth, in Darfur, in violent relationships in family and
marriage, in the hell we have created in Iraq, with the unnecessary guilt we have laid on
people over the ages and the list goes on and on and on. Having
said that, to deny the possibility of hell is to deny human freedom. The thing that marks
us as human is our freedom to choose, and God having given that gift, will not take it
back. I believe it is possible for people to turn radically away from God. God
does not turn away from us - that would contradict God's own nature. Having said
that, I don't believe one unconfessed sin would leave us in hell - God is much wiser
and more merciful than we so often are to ourselves. Apart from the hell that we
create in so many ways for each other as I mentioned at the beginning, I think that hell
is up to us really. We are not the victims here but rather the actors in the drama,
freely choosing. ____________________________________________________ Father
Kevin: Hi Annmarie: Thanks for your
question. If you are strong and peaceful in your own faith, I cannot see that there
is any problem in sharing a room with someone who has a sincere faith in her own Mormon
tradition. Their beliefs are somewhat in tune with ours and in many instances quite
different and strange to our way of thinking. If she is a good person and sincere in
respecting your faith, I can't see that you would have a problem. If she wants to
lay her trip on you and argue with you or tries to change you to her way of thinking then
you could have a problem and then may have to make a decision to move away from her.
In itself, there is nothing in your arrangement that I can see that would
jeopardize your faith in itself. I hope it all works out ok for you. All good wishes. - Father Kevin ______________________________________ Father
Kevin: Hi Teresa: The penitential rite at the beginning of Mass serves to forgive our sins in a communal way. If you have a serious or mortal sin you are worried about it would be important to confess that when you have a chance, but it is important to know that God does not depend on you being able to get to a priest for confession before receiving communion if you have no opportunity to confess first. God understands your situation and He desires that you receive His Son, Jesus Christ, in Holy Communion without hindrance. So, here is a rule: if you cannot get to confession, say an Act of Contrition with a sincere heart, receive communion, and when the opportunity presents itself for confession, then do so. And you don't have to wait for a priest to be in a confessional for him to hear your confession. You can call the priest and make an appointment for confession and he is obliged to hear your confession. You ask if we can pray directly to God to ask
for forgiveness. Absolutely, if we pray
earnestly and feel deep and sincere sorrow for the sins committed. The priest is God’s chosen earthly
Shepherd and Leader. He is the human ear that
listens with patience and kindness for the truth and reality of the sins you have
committed. He is the human voice that God has
provided for giving understanding and guidance to His flock. So it is important that you have the Sacrament of
Penance (confession) to reconcile yourself not only to God but also to the Church. Be relaxed with a loving and forgiving God and use the Sacrament of Reconciliation to celebrate that mercy of God. Every blessing. - Father Kevin
_____________________________________ “A family member is gay and wants us
to attend his public ceremony. What should a
Christian family do?” - Julie
Father Cedric:
Dear Julie, There is no easy answer to this question. Some Christians would avoid the wedding because they feel it is against God’s will. Others would go because it is the loving thing to do. Depending on whom you talk to, you will get various, conflicting answers. I know that there are many priests who would counsel you not to go. I, however, fall on the side that it would be okay to attend. Who knows who you might talk to about God or what you might learn from some of his friends? If it were my family member I would not be attending to condone what he or she would be doing. I would be prepared to make that clear (with gentleness.) Rather, my presence would be announcing that I believe in a God of love, who forgives and has forgiven me. When I read the Gospels, I see Jesus eating with tax collectors and unsavory characters. This is one of the reasons he got in trouble with the rigid religious of his day. He would always reply, “It is not the healthy that need a doctor, but the sick.” And, “It is mercy I desire, not sacrifice.” I could see Jesus going to this wedding, can’t you? If you can, I would try to tell your relative that you did struggle with this decision to go, but you wanted him to know that you loved him and that your faith is a welcoming faith. People like he and his significant other need to encounter religious people who are loving. Tell him that you will pray for him to experience God’s love. Try not to do this in a “preachy” way, but with genuine concern and care for him. One last thing: The church teaches that homosexuals are not sinful in their orientation, only when they act out. This relative, though committing a sinful act by marrying this person, is not beyond redemption and needs your prayers and support in his life. Who knows? Perhaps because you came to his wedding and showed you cared, he may turn to you for help in seeking God one day. That is my hope. Follow your conscience on this one, but if it were me, I’d go, and look for opportunities to witness to Christ. Sincerely, Fr. Cedric ______________________________________________ "What is the Catholic Church's view on In Vitro Fertilization?" - Lisa Father Cedric: Dear Lisa, I consulted a canon lawyer on this question. Here is his lengthy reply: The Church struggles with many couples to find a solution to their fertility problems. The Church will always choose the more sustainable option, based on our long tradition of moral theology. When new technologies appear, you should not be surprised that the Church teaching is very cautious about giving some "blanket approval" to technologies that did not exist when the moral theologians were charting the course for responsible behavior. Equally, when a Catholic married couple
confronts their options in their desire to have their own children, but in the face of
apparent infertility, they may encounter much hesitation on the part of those whom they
consult in their parish or diocese. IVF depends on several techniques that are not without some questionable aspects: a) The husband's donor sperm
is usually collected through masturbation. Would the Catholic Church ever be able to sanction as morally acceptable IVF as we know it today? I doubt it. But the question is not ultimately what the Catholic Church can accept, it is about the informed judgment of a mature and committed married couple in seeking to fulfill their marriage, and using medical technology to bring that about. I hope this helps you Lisa. I want to say that I am glad you want to have
children. That tells me you are a generous person. I wonder what you have thought about
adoption? I would also advise you to read
more of what the church teaches on IVF (Google it online)
After reading what you can absorb, make your decision with an informed
conscience. God Bless you. Sincerely, Fr.
Cedric ___________________________________________________ "While yoga makes me feel great, is the meditation part wrong? - Lori Father Cedric: Dear Lori, I have encountered a number of Catholics who practice Yoga. I even know of some priests who are committed to this discipline. I personally believe the meditation part of Yoga can help you with Christian prayer. The ability to slow down, become one with your body and maintain inner stillness is an important aspect of Catholic contemplative prayer. I would suggest using your Yoga training to bring you forward in the contemplative prayer discipline. However, I would use some caution in going further into Tao/Buddhism. I have a problem with the “New Age” movement and some of their beliefs. Yoga, to me, starts to spill over into areas that are iffy. Your gut feeling is giving you a warning. I would heed the voice of your conscience. If you find Yoga is helping you and bringing you closer to God, I’d stay with it. Rather than going deeper into Tao, I’d explore more about Christian meditation/contemplative prayer and Catholic healing. There is so much out there and we have a 2000 year solid tradition. Explore books by Abbot Keating, Fr. Basil Pennington, and even my own book called “Thy Kingdom Come.” www.frcedric.org Go to “Books and teachings” and click on the book. God Bless you as you seek to improve yourself and commune with God. Sincerely, Fr. Cedric
” Is it considered wrong to lend a book or magazine to a friend?” - Dennis CatholicView Staff:
Dear Dennis: I am not a lawyer but from what I know about copyright laws concerning the use of sacred music for congregational use, I can venture an answer for you. Lending a book or magazine is not a violation of the copyright laws of the USA. Violation would involve making copies of articles or chapters without the author’s explicit permission. With that in mind, lending books and magazines that you have purchased is not wrong. But, making copies of these magazines and books without permission is wrong. – CatholicView Staff ________________________________________ CatholicView Staff: Theresa: When the Lord closes a door, another one opens, according to those who have experienced God’s providential Hand in their lives. The first priority that the Church expects from its believers is that you must be responsible parents (Humane Vitae, Paul VI). That means that you must make sure that all the needs of your family, especially your two sons, are met before anything else. I know that you wish to have other children enter your wonderful family life. But it seems that the Lord has closed that door for now. Your health needs attention and your sons need a healthy mother, not a deceased one. Your husband needs his job to keep the family going. Instead, focus on making the family future secure and sound and everything will come together in God’s Plan. Hope this helps. CatholicView Staff ____________________________________
Anthony: Here is the link describing the AGAPE church you are talking about. From the description of its core beliefs, this church is not considered a Christian church. She may want to participate in learning about Gnostic teachings and the wisdom involved in other non-Christian religious expressions. But participating and being part of this church would be considered an act of rejection of the Christian faith. Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior of us all. He died and rose from the dead. This church does not teach this and are therefore wrong in their interpretation of the Hebrew (“old”) and Christian (‘new”) scriptures. If she is curious about learning about other religious expressions, she has the Internet and the local library. But to participate in another non-Christian church would be considered a rejection of Jesus as Lord. www.agapelive.com/index.php?page=7&print=yes - CatholicView Staff _________________________________ CatholicView Staff:
Jay: In this particular situation, I would follow the doctor’s recommendations in regards to your wife’s health. There is NO REASON why you should not be receiving Holy Communion. The hormonal therapy that your wife is undertaking is important for her overall health even though it has a side effect of preventing conception. Your wife is not on “artificial birth control” as you state. She is on hormonal therapy that prevents several potential life-endangering events from happening. Your sons need a living mother, not a dead mother. Please be at peace. There is no sin here. You are doing what is necessary to maintain the health of your wife and the future of your family, and the welfare of your sons who need both parents in their lives. – CatholicView Staff ____________________________________________________ CatholicView Staff:
Dear Chris: I am sorry to hear that your marriage could not be healed. Divorce is very painful and I pray that the Lord will heal your wounded spirit. The Church has a problem with re-marriage (after divorce with no church annulment) and sexual intimacy outside of the sacrament of marriage. With that in mind, dating implies you are seeking a new life partner. My question to you: does dating imply sexual intimacy that is outside of marriage? If so, then this kind of dating is not acceptable for a Christian. Does dating mean just making new friends? This is kind of dating is neutral as a moral act, meaning it is neither right or wrong. So, what you do in the area of dating is really up to you and your honest assessment of your own actions. And, have you tried to start the annulment process so that you can move forward? I pray that you will find true love in your life and that you will be happy with God’s help. – CatholicView Staff _____________________________________________ CatholicView Staff: Laura: Your doctor is correct. Your children and your husband need a healthy mother. Your doctor’s prescription is valid and is necessary for your health and the future of your family. Please follow his advice. The church’s teaching against artificial birth control is aimed at people who do not take seriously the sacrament of marriage and the sacredness of human sexual intimacy. You have children, you have been open to life, and you have entered the sacrament of marriage. The church has always demanded that parents be responsible in regards to how many children they can have and afford. But the church also requires that parents be responsible and mature when it comes to their own health. So, follow your doctor’s advice without any fear or guilt. You are in God’s Hands and His love is with you always. – CatholicView Staff ___________________________________________ CatholicView Staff:
Dear Dennis: I am not a lawyer but from what I know about copyright laws concerning the use of sacred music for congregational use, I can venture an answer for you. Lending a book or magazine is not a violation of the copyright laws of the USA. Violation would involve making copies of articles or chapters without the author’s explicit permission. With that in mind, lending books and magazines that you have purchased is not wrong. But, making copies of these magazines and books without permission is wrong. – CatholicView Staff __________________________________________ ” Can you give some examples of penance and how it is used?” - John CatholicView Staff:
Dear John: I am impressed that you have taken upon yourself the “penance” of not eating meat on Fridays throughout the year. Penance has a two-fold purpose: (1) to show contrition and repentance for sins committed and (2) to build up your spiritual muscles in your soul so that one could become more like Christ in all things. Everything you have stated are forms of penance. If you want to break your Friday abstinence, then you can do something in its place. The only time we are required as Catholics to abstain from meat is Ash Wednesday, Fridays of Lent only, and Good Friday. If you must substitute something in your regular practice of abstinence, you could read a passage from the bible every day for five minutes (this takes time management skills and discipline), do something for your neighbor (makes one compassionate), volunteer time to a worthy cause (getting out of yourself and seeing that there is a big picture in God’s Plan), pray a rosary or novena (building up your meditative prayer skills) or anything that can build up your spirit and soul is considered a pentential act. So, keep going and praise God always in all that you do! - CatholicView Staff _____________________________________________ ”My unbaptized fiancé wants to baptize our future children as Catholics but then raise them in his faith. Is this satisfactory?” - Ann CatholicView Staff: Ann: The promise of baptism and raising your children as Catholics is quite clear. You could say and promise anything without any accountability in this kind of situation. But God would know that your promise holds no authority or truthfulness if you say one thing and do another. Be honest with God and His Church. If you feel that your husband and you cannot fulfill this promise, then don’t make it. Better live in truth than live a lie. - CatholicView Staff __________________________________________________ CatholicView Staff: Dear Michelle: The teaching about the identity of God Himself espoused by the faith of the Latter Day Saints (whether Reorganized or the Church headquarted in Salt Lake City) would demand that a person be baptized again in the Catholic Church. Most Christians (the Catholic Church being one of the denominations that I am talking about when I say “most Christians”) believe in a Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, that is total spirit without corporal bodies. The Latter Day Saints (Mormons) and its various denominations believe that God has a body and is not Triune (a Trinity) as described by most Christians. Because of that, if you are a member of the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints, you would be baptized again in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. CatholicView Staff ______________________________________________ CatholicView Staff:
Dear Pereira: Mary was born as a human being with all the limitations of a human being though she was born in complete union with God (unlike ourselves who were born with original sin and therefore born with a broken relationship with God). Your philosopher friend is WRONG….Mary is not immortal, she had a beginning when she was born. She lives forever as we all do who believe in Jesus as Lord. Your biblicist friend is WRONG because this person is implying that even though she was in complete union with God (without sin), she was not affected by the sinful and broken world around her. Look at her tears at the foot of the cross. See her deal with the consequences of sin even though she was in complete union with God. Your theologian friend is WRONG because there is nothing that says that she chose to die and rise three days later before being assumed into heaven (where did this come from????). The Greek Orthodox Church and the Eastern Rite Church (Catholic) say that she fell asleep in death and was assumed into heaven (which is the definition of the Assumption as stated in 1950). When Mary ended her life mission on earth, her body and soul AT THE SAME TIME went to heaven. There was no resurrection (that’s coming for all of us at the end of time.) She just passed into heaven. In a sense, we too will be assumed into heaven at the time of our death but our bodies will wait to be reunited with our soul at the end of time when Jesus will resurrect our bodies to be made like His own into His glory. – CatholicView Staff __________________________________________ CatholicView Staff:
Dear Anne: If you have been reconciled with the Church through the sacrament of Penance, and have truly repented from this grievous sin, and you have accepted the loving merciful forgiveness of God, then you can participate in the ministries of the Church. – CatholicView Staff ______________________________________________ ”May I
volunteer my services at a Tres Dias, a non-denominational Version of the Catholic
Crusillo?” - Tisha CatholicView Staff:
Tisha: You know that Tres Dias is a general Christian, non-denominational version of the Catholic Cursillo Movement. With that in mind, the agape meal celebration (the sharing of bread and wine without the Mass or specific ritual) is not the Holy Eucharist, is not a celebration of the body and blood of Christ but a celebration of Christian unity. Knowing that, there is nothing wrong in participating in such an agape meal. Some Catholics do something like this when they celebrate the Passover during Holy Week. The Passover is not the Eucharist (Mass) but a celebration of the Hebrew People’s salvation from Egyptian slavery. But there is nothing wrong in participating in the Passover as long as a Catholic doesn’t see this as Holy Communion. But once a agape ritual is done within a specific denominational church, or even a so-called non-denominational church led by a specific pastor that is not a Catholic ordained presbyter, then we Catholics cannot partake since this would be saying that we accept their church and teaching wholeheartedly and acting in a way contrary to Catholic Church teaching. Remember, communion implies that we accept everything that that particular church teaches. – CatholicView Staff _________________________________________ CatholicView Staff: Dear Barbara: I wonder if there is more to this story than you describe. But I would agree with you in principle: family should not be rejecting anyone in their own family just because they are different. But I wonder if there is something more between your sister and you that keep you both distant and separated. Your question is which sin is worse….divorcing and remarrying or having a vasectomy and still accepting the sacraments? Neither….both are sins that keep either from having a full relationship with God….but then, who has a FULL relationship with God? We are all sinners in God’s eyes. To me, the greater sin is rejection. That is not a Christian way to act. That’s why I am wondering, is there more to the story? – CatholicView Staff __________________________________________ CatholicView Staff: Phil: Know that you will not be happy and peaceful until you find out whether God is calling you to ordained ministry or religious life. Find out. Until you do, you will always live in this confusion that will never allow you to be free and happy. Talk to your local priest, or call your diocesan vocation office! Ask your questions! Find out what it is like to be a religious or priest. – CatholicView Staff ________________________________________________ CatholicView Staff:
Don: My sympathies are with you and your family on the passing of your grandmother. I know that she leaves a vacuum within your family life. She lived her life for Jesus and His Church. She lived her life for her family. As mother and grandmother, she was full of love and sacrificed much. Even though she was not able to receive the Anointing of the Sick (Extreme Unction), she has her place in heaven and is within the loving arms of our Lord Jesus Christ forever. Her “last rites” was her entire life. God judges not by the sacraments one receives but by what’s inside the heart. Sacraments help us stay focused in this earthly life on Jesus. But ultimately, God judges the hearts of us all. Your grandmother had so much love in her heart that Jesus opened the doors of heaven to her and said, “Well done, my faithful servant. Come to the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of time!” (Matthew 25:21) – CatholicView Staff _____________________________________________ "In cremation:
Is splitting the ashes/dividing the ashes bad?" – Ed CatholicView Staff: In cremation: Is splitting the ashes/dividing the ashes bad? – Ed Dear Ed: The Church wishes that our remains of our bodily temple be placed in one place as a sign of our belief in the resurrection of the last day. So, splitting the cremains among family members would not exactly affirm the belief in the resurrection of us all when Jesus comes at the end of time. You asked whether splitting the cremains would be bad? No, not morally so, but I wouldn’t do it. I would recommend strongly that the cremains be placed in one location so that ALL family members and friends can visit the remains and revel in their memories of their passed loved one, and to affirm our belief in the last resurrection when our souls and glorified bodies will be reunited! - CatholicView Staff _________________________________________ CatholicView Staff: Dear Anita: I am so sorry to hear that you are having so many problems with your marriage. The wonderful thing is that you have two precious sons from this union. It seems that you have tried to make this marriage work but cannot move past the obstacles you husband has put in your path such as his excessive drinking, his abuse, and his failure to have your marriage blessed even though he promised to do so. Have you tried to speak with your priest or a marriage counselor concerning your marital problems? Without fully knowing all that is involved here, you must go and talk to your parish priest. Do not be afraid to seek help. If he sees hope for your marriage he will help you find it. If he determines that you have grounds for an annulment, he will guide you through the necessary steps. Certainly you have experienced sorrow and alienation from your husband. But do not hesitate; move forward on this in order to find peace in your life. God bless you always. - CatholicView Staff __________________________________________________________ CatholicView:
Dear Glenn: If you find a Church within a reasonable distance, you have an obligation to attend Mass. If you cannot find a Church, then spend that hour in quiet, reading the bible and praying. You can do this alone or you can share this with your relative. It is in the giving of your time to remember and honor the Lord that is important here. Just as we enjoy eating in a nice restaurant while on vacation, asking Him to keep us safe for our vacation, we also need the spiritual food we need through attending Mass. Hope this helps. CatholicView Staff ______________________________________________
Debby: Yes, you will be able to receive communion. Your heavenly Father is waiting for you to come to
Him. He waits for you to ask for His
forgiveness. As long as you have life, you
can ask for it. All of us have a sinful
nature and it is only through Jesus Christ that we gain God’s favor and forgiveness. Through Him, we are made clean. In Romans 4:5 we are told ”But people are
counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God Who
forgives sinners.” The bible is full of references about receiving forgiveness. The beautiful thing about being a Christian is that we have a loving Father Who forgives us always, no matter how big the sin, if we are truly sorry and if we promise not to commit that sin again. Seek His forgiveness and go in peace, knowing that through the intercession of our Lord, Jesus Christ, God has erased this sin and will no longer remember it. – CatholicView Staff ______________________________________ CatholicView Staff:
Dear Natalia: CatholicView is sorry to hear about your marriage situation. You have been civilly divorced and your husband has remarried and now has a family. There is nothing more you can do to rectify your marriage in this case. It is time for you to move forward with your life. Go to talk to your priest and get the annulment process started. - CatholicView Staff __________________________________________ CatholicView Staff:
Dear Eric: I think you are forgetting that God keeps tract of everything. He knows all things. And you have no right to assume that others will not be affected by your actions. If something that you do is technically wrong in your own eyes and you do it anyway, knowing it is wrong, it is a sin. You cannot get around this. Remember that God sees all things and knows your heart. CatholicView Staff _____________________________________________ Please use the link at the top left
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