http://www.fatheramaro.com/Pastoral/Frustration.htm

I think it will give you what you need to know.   God bless, Fr. Amaro

FATHER CEDRIC PISEGNA, C.P.

“Where can I find quotes in the bible to
support the Trinity? - Mauro

Father Cedric:

I have a Muslim friend who wants to know if there are quotes in the bible that support the dogma of the Trinity.   I have looked over it many times but I must be missing something.  – Mauro

Dear Mauro,

It is a long held tradition that God is comprised of three persons. This tradition emerges from the Bible. I like to use the image of a beam of light flowing through a window. In that single beam is heat, light and energy. The three are one, yet there are distinct elements of the beam of light. Similarly, God has revealed himself as three persons, yet one God. We get a glimpse of this in the Old Testament when God says, “Let us create man in our own image.” (Genesis 1:26) We believe the “us” and “our” has to do with the persons of God. God reveals himself as various persons throughout the New Testament also. There are many isolated verses with God as Father, God as Son and God as Spirit. There is one verse, however that is very Trinitarian. 2 Corinthians 13:14 tells us, “The grace of the Lord Jesus, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” We use this “greeting” at the beginning of Mass. Eucharist is a celebration of prayer. We pray to the Father, through the Son, in the Spirit. Remember, the doctrine of the Trinity is not a mystery to be solved but a relationship to be entered into. I pray that you and your friend will develop a relationship with each person of the Holy Trinity. Fr. Cedric

Father Cedric:

As a child I was sold to a coven of Satanists.  Since age 23 I have been free from them and their evil.  I know that God is My Father and that Jesus is my Savior.   The High Priestess is now on her Death bed.   I am the chosen one to take her place through the family Blood line.   She is the Grandmother of our family and is 98.

I have seen and battled things that are so evil all my life.  But I know they will come for me and how do I stop them?  This is my question.  Thank you!    Daniel

Daniel,

It sounds like you have been through a lot in your youth! From what you wrote, you didn’t have much of a choice. However, you have made the choice to make Jesus the Lord of your life and God is your father. I applaud your courage. I’m sure you have sensed God with you all of your life, even when you were exposed to this horrible evil. I have heard of such stories. When faced with evil not of their own choosing, people sense God’s wonderful grace.

You can’t stop them from coming to you, but you don’t have to acquiesce to their wishes. The bloodline of rebirth is stronger than the bloodline of even family. You must state your firm intention to be a follower of Jesus to them. Do not even for one minute allow them to think that you will be a part of their practices. You must be firm, courageous and strong as a man of God. You may lose them as a part of your family. You must be ready for this. Jesus taught, “I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. From now on members of a family will be divided because of me.” For example, I have a sister who is a Jehovah’s Witness. Far from being a Satanist, it is still very divisive. I try to get along with her, yet I stand my ground as a Catholic Christian. They can be very pushy in their beliefs. God help you to stand your ground and God protect you from every evil. - Fr. Cedric

”If a mentally ill person commits suicide, are they
eternally damned? - Leann

Father Cedric:

What does the Catholic religion say about suicide if the person has gone mad or insane and is not aware of what they are doing? Are they eternally damned? – Leann

Leann,

I liken suicide to a person who is in a high rise building that is burning. Rather than succumb to the flames, they jump. When someone commits suicide there is a fire of some sort raging within. The person simply tries to escape the flames. God sees the context and inner life of that person. He will judge them with compassion and understanding. God is not a computer with black and white punishments for certain sins or crimes. God is like the most gentle, compassionate, understanding person you have ever met. Certainly if someone is mentally incapable of being responsible for their life and they commit suicide, God will judge that person leniently. I’m not saying that we take suicide lightly. However, God is a God of compassion and understanding and God sees the whole context of the person’s life. I hope this helps, Leann. - Fr. Cedric

 
CATHOLICVIEW STAFF

”Does Penitential Sacrifices end at sunset before
Holy Thursday?” - Melina         1

CatholicView Staff:

I have two friends, both are Catholic and I am a United Methodist. All three of us made Penitential sacrifices for Lent and while at times we have all struggled with these sacrifices, we have all managed to abstain. This morning, one of my friends called and said that a priest told her that Penitential Sacrifices end at sunset on the day before Holy Thursday and that we no longer need to abstain. My other friend and I both believe that we made our sacrifices with an understanding we would abstain until Easter morning. My question is less about which of us is right, and more about wanting to more fully understand the belief of the church. Any information you could impart would be most helpful.  Blessings, Melinda

Melinda:

Yes, the forty days of Lent ends on Wednesday midnight before Holy Thursday.  The forty days of Lent are Ash Wednesday through “Spy Wednesday” (the day Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.)  Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday are a set of sacred days called the Triduum (three days of special prayer and remembrance of what Jesus has done for our salvation).  Lent is exactly forty days and Sundays during Lent are exempt (and therefore, Sundays are not counted as a day of Lent) from Lenten penance because Sunday is always considered a day of rejoicing in the resurrection of the Lord, hence no penance.   Even though your Lenten spiritual penance ended on the day before Holy Thursday, Good Friday is a day of fasting (one full meal only and no snacks, health permitting) and abstinence (no meat, beef, pork, chicken, lamb).  - CatholicView Staff

 
”Why is it sinful to switch faiths?” – Kim    

CatholicView Staff:

If Catholics believe people of other faiths (ex. Lutheran) are going to heaven, than why is it sinful if I choose to switch faiths? - Kim

Dear Kim:

Being a Catholic means that you are part of a spiritual family, the Body of Christ, on earth.  Even though everyone who professes that Jesus is Lord has the promise of eternal life, being Catholic means that you belong to the historical spiritual family founded by Christ on His Apostles.  If I were to say to my own personal family (my mom and dad, brothers and sisters, and pets) that I do not want to belong to them and that I am going to belong to another family, that would hurt my parents and it would break a relationship that made me who I am.  We Catholics feel the same about someone who has broken away from our spiritual family.  It is a proverbial slap in the face and breaks the bonds of spiritual love that comes from Christ through His Church.  Sin is defined not so much in the “bad action” or breaking of  “law,” but as a breaking of relationship with God and His historical Church.  That’s an important part of Christ’s teaching about the Old (Mosaic) Law.  People used to look at sin only as a transgression of a written law.  Jesus in His New Covenant wanted us not to think of immoral behavior (sin) simply as not breaking any laws but as a breaking of a love relationship between God and His creation.  That requires a spiritual maturity that some Christians have yet to reach.  There are some who don’t even want to mature spiritually and just want to know the minimum requirement of getting to heaven.  So, yes, a Catholic sins when they leave the Church because they break “faith” with their fellow Catholics around the world.  The motivation of the heart is what God judges, not if someone has kept “laws” and “regulations.”  If someone leaves the Church, I pray that this person will find spiritual fulfillment and mature wisdom in Christ! – CatholicView Staff

 
 “Is it against Catholic Doctrine for a wife to give up
sex for Lent?” – Roger   

CatholicView Staff:

My wife told me that she was giving up sex for lent. However, I find this to be insulting to me and our marriage (especially since she didn't ask me for my opinion).

What do you think about this? Is this against Catholic Doctrine?

Dear Roger:

If both spouses agree to abstain from intimate relations for a spiritual reason, that’s not against God’s Will.  If one spouse wants to suspend physical intimacy without the other’s consent or even engage in a dialog about the reasons for practicing celibacy within the marriage bond, then it is against God’s Will for that particular couple. – CatholicView Staff

 
 “Is it possible to have my Catholic baptism
annulled?” - Pete   

CatholicView Staff:

I was baptized Catholic.   Is it possible to have that baptism annulled?   Or just get baptized in another Church?  -  Pete

Dear Pete:

If you were baptized Catholic, you were baptized into the Church and into relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  This baptism cannot be annulled as you stated.  But you can be baptized in another Christian denomination if you wish to make a public declaration that you desire not to be considered a Catholic. – CatholicView Staff

 
“Will God be angry because my parents refused
my Catholic baptism?” – Robin        

CatholicView Staff:

I was baptized in the Protestant Church because my mother didn't want me Catholic but my father was (he is dead now) and he wanted me Catholic all along and so did I.  I am Catholic in my heart.   Do you think GOD will hold it against me because I wasn't baptized Catholic?   I am very sick so I can only watch Mass on T.V.  –  Robin

Dear Robin:

I am sorry to hear that you are sick and unable to participate fully in a parish near you.  Hopefully, when you get better, you can talk to your parish priest on a formal way to declare your membership in the Catholic Church.  Since you were already baptized in a Christian denomination, your baptism is considered valid by the Church.  All you have to do is declare your Catholic faith in a formal way.  If you can get a priest to visit you in your home, I believe that you can start the process of being formally accepted into the Church.  Yes, you are a Catholic in your heart and in fact.  All that is missing is a formal declaration saying so. – CatholicView Staff

 
”I am a pharmacist and dispense birth control.   Am I
in moral trouble?” - Elizabeth  

CatholicView Staff:

Last week's declaration of the "Seven New Deadly Sins" has given me a lot of food for thought.   As a pharmacist, I am most concerned about "birth control" as a deadly sin.    Am I in moral trouble for dispensing it as a part of my practice?  Does it apply only to those who take birth control, or those who provide it, as well?  -  Elizabeth

Dear Elizabeth:

As you know as a pharmacist, “birth control” pills are a form of hormonal therapy as well.   Since you do not know exactly why the person has been prescribed this medication, you cannot judge whether your dispensing of birth control medication is moral or not.  That belongs to how the other person is using it.  –CatholicView Staff

 
“When can a Catholic marry a divorced person?”
– Jeanette   

CatholicView Staff:

When can a Catholic marry a divorced person? Is there ever a situation when this can happen?

My daughter is baptized a Catholic and is with a man that has been married twice(not in the Church) and divorced twice.The ex-wives are still living. She would like to marry in the Church if the conditions of his previous marriages where such that the Church would accept them into a Catholic marriage. Are there any such conditions? He was baptized a Catholic. - Jeanette

Jeanette:

The “lack of form” petition would enable your daughter to marry this twice civilly married and divorced man in the Church.  My question to your daughter is:  why would she marry a man with such a bad track record in marriage?  I would certainly question her about this relationship with this man.  Otherwise, she is in charge of her destiny and she will make the decision that she judges will bring her happiness and bring her into a stronger and better relationship with God and His Church. – CatholicView Staff

 
”Can pro-abortion politicians receive the Eucharist?” - Mike   
 

CatholicView Staff:

Can pro-abortion politicians received the Eucharist?    Will the Pope deny it to Pelosi, Kennedy & others who attend the DC Papal Mass? - Mike

Dear Mike:

Priests cannot refuse communion to anyone who approaches the altar of the Lord.  A priest is not the judge here, only God is the judge.  If a politician who supports the free access of abortion through the law receives communion, that person will be answerable to God for their actions as well as we will be about our own actions. – CatholicView Staff

 “If I have a long term, loving relationship, can I
receive holy communion?”  - Jade      

CatholicView Staff:

Can I receive holy  communion in church while I have a steady long term loving relationship with my boyfriend?   We both in our 50's, I am single & he is divorced non-Catholic.  - Jade

Dear Jade:

If you are having intimate physical sexual relationship with your boyfriend, then you cannot receive communion until you do something about this relationship – either marry or have a friendship with no sexual contact. – CatholicView Staff

 “At death, do we all go to heaven?” – Terry    

CatholicView Staff:

My husband says when we die everyone goes to the same place "heaven".  He doesn't think a loving forgiving God would send souls he created in Hell with Satan. - Terry

Dear Terry:

If we believe that everyone goes to the same place in the end, why did God send His Son to die for us?  Was this a worthless sacrifice?

In God’s mercy and love, He sent His only Son to atone for our sins so that we can enter God’s paradise to live with him eternally.  Jesus died because we are all sinners in need of being made clean.  We can only be cleansed by accepting Christ as the Savior Who washes away this sin because God will not allow it in His perfect Heaven.  And so we need the gift of Christ’s salvation.   With that salvation and adhering to His teachings we are made worthy to enjoy eternity with God, Jesus Christ and all the angels.   It is up to us to decide to accept the gift of salvation that Jesus paid for with His blood or use our “free will” to go our own way.  If we choose the latter, knowing we are filled with earthly sin, this tells God that we choose hell over heaven.  God does not send anyone to hell; we send ourselves there.   -  CatholicView Staff

  
“Doesn’t evolution and Church teachings conflict?”
– Jen 

CatholicView Staff:

My husband is struggling with some things. He thinks that evolution is true, but then ensoulment of Adam and Eve is problematic. If we evolved, then at some point there was a transition where the parents were *not* human, and the children, Adam and Eve were. So logically the parents of Adam and Eve did not have souls, and Adam and Eve did? How does evolution and Church teachings not conflict? Thanks! – Jen

Dear Jen:

There is no problem here.  Adam and Eve were infused with a human soul at the moment of their conception by God.  Whether God used evolution as a process to make humans or not, Adam and Eve were the first humans.  How this exactly happened will not be known until we see God face-to-face and ask Him for an explanation! – CatholicView Staff

 
 “Is it acceptable to dispose of old palms
by burning at home?” – Tom 

CatholicView Staff:

I have palms left over from a few years ago. Is it ok to burn at home along with a prayer, rather than taken to church to be used for Ash Wednesday?   -  Tom

Dear Tom:

Yes, please dispose of any blest objects by burning them or burying them as a sign of respect for what they represent. – CatholicView Staff

 
”How do I balance my responsibilities as a mother
and a follower of Christ?” - Kelly   

CatholicView Staff:

I am not sure how best to balance my responsibilities as a mother and a follower of Christ. Our family lives on my husband's income, and I raise our 4 young children. We live very modestly, but who can ever honestly say that they're sacrificing absolutely everything that they could? Jesus told the rich man to give away *everything* and follow Him, but I also feel we need to be responsible providers to our children. What is the correct balance between these? Thank you for your help!   - Kelly

Kelly:

You were called to marriage and motherhood.  When you accepted these roles in the plan and will of God, you gave yourself completely to this task.  The rich man, being single probably, had much that he was proud of -- yet when Christ invited him to surrender everything, he couldn’t do it because of his attachment to the material.  You are married and have a family.  Your surrender to God’s Will in your family is what God desires of you and how you can praise and honor God in His creative power.  Most parents do not grow rich by being mothers and fathers.  And most parents do sacrifice everything, from time, effort, and treasure to ensure that their children and family have everything needed to make God’s will for them to happen.  By following your calling, you have given God praise and honor.  In your material riches, remember to give alms to those in great need and to the Church for its evangelical mission.  – CatholicView Staff

 
“Can I take communion if I did not marry
in the Church?” – Victor  

CatholicView Staff:

I go to confession and am married almost 4 years. My priest said “don't take holy communion until married in church”. Is this right?   What is the proper way to dispose of a blessed scapular?  What is the proper way to dispose of a blessed statue?- Victor

Dear Victor:

Yes, you are correct.  You cannot receive communion until you have your marriage convalidated (blessed) in the Church.  As to ANY sacred object that needs to be disposed, please burn it or bury it as a sign of respect for what the blest object represents. – CatholicView Staff

“My brother and sister do not attend mass regularly. 
Could they be my baby’s Godparents?” Jeannine

 CatholicView Staff:

I'm thinking about asking my brother and sister to be Godparents.  They are younger (19&23 years old) and do not attend mass regularly. I feel asking them will help renew their faith and remember God’s grace.  I truly believe they will find their faith as they grow.   Can I ask them? - Jeannine

Jeannine:

Yes, you can ask them.  I would hope that you are correct in saying that your brother and sister would grow in their faith.  Please mention to them your expectations as Christian mentors to your child.  Congratulations to you on the birth of your child. – CatholicView Staff

 
”Could I have my marriage blessed in my husband’s
Protestant Church?” - Jennifer  

CatholicView Staff:

Hello, my husband is a Protestant Baptist and I am a   Catholic were married in a civil ceremony two years ago and now have a beautiful baby daughter. I want to get married in a Catholic Church but he doesn't feel comfortable with this due to his beliefs. I attend my church and his and was wondering would it be wrong to marry in his church? I have been stressing myself out to find a way to make us both happy please help. - Jennifer

Dear Jennifer:

Certainly we can understand what you are going through with your marriage issues.  First, your civil marriage has not been convalidated in the Catholic Church.   And because of this,  you are not in full union with the Church nor is your marriage recognized as valid.  You cannot receive any of the sacraments until this is remedied.  Secondly, having your marriage vows taken in another denomination  means you have twice ignored your own Church and its precepts.  Thirdly, was your child baptized in the faith? 

These issues can be resolved by seeing your parish priest.  The matter of having your marriage blessed (convalidated) in the Church is an easy one.  The rest can be talked about at that time and  a positive conclusion can be reached.  Please speak to your priest. 

Do not let your own faith die.  Do not be afraid.   May the Lord strengthen you and give you the courage to take care of these matters. - CatholicView Staff 

“God made marijuana.   Doesn’t it mean He
wanted it here?” - Phil 

CatholicView Staff:

God made marijuana. So wouldn't this mean God created it because he wanted it on this Earth?  Check out Genesis 1:29. Sorry for asking a controversial question, I would just like any answer I can get.  - Phil

Dear Phil:

There are things in nature that are good for a human to consume and there are things that are bad and destructive to humans.  When God made everything at the beginning, everything was good and right with God because man and woman had not sinned yet.  Yet when sin entered the world, everything became broken and the universe fell out of harmony with its Creator.  Jesus came to re-establish the harmony and relationship with God that will culminate at the end of time.  Marijuana, a plant in nature with drug inducing properties, is not good for humans.  It is destructive and enslaves a human being in its prison of illegal drug euphoria that poisons the mind.  We could say that since nature has plants that are poisonous, that we should eat these poisonous plants because God made them.  That would be insane.  You could find all the reasons in the world to blind you to the fact that marijuana is destructive to the human mind, body and soul.  Anyone can rationalize destructive behavior.  So, live drug-free so that you can appreciate the euphoria that comes with a clear mind that sees the beauty of creation and the pitfalls of sin.  – CatholicView Staff

 “My father won’t accept my non-Catholic, Chinese
girlfriend. What should I do?” – Steve

CatholicView Staff:

I am a Canadian Catholic, my girlfriend is from China and she has no religion. She wants to convert to Catholicism before we marry. My father refuses to accept her because she is Chinese by race and was not born a Catholic. I love them both so much. How do I reconcile this without breaking the commandment of "Honour thy father and mother?" - Steve

Steve:

I know that you love your family, especially your parents.  I also know that you are in love with your fiancée who happens to be from China.   The tightrope that you are walking trying to reconcile your father’s demands and your call to love and build a future with this woman is causing you much anxiety.  But I am reminded of the biblical verse from the New Testament that clearly states:  “A man shall leave his father and mother, and the two shall cling together as one.  So, what God has joined, let no one divide.”  (see ALL the various biblical citations on this subject:  Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:5, Mark 10:8, Ephesians 5:31).  You must honor what God may be calling you to:  the sacrament of marriage with the love of your life.  It may be time to leave your father and mother and make a life for yourself.  At the same time, you must listen carefully to your parents and others in your family that may express concerns or even objections to your relationship with your fiancée.  If after contemplating and judging everything that has been said to you, thinking clearly, and feeling the call of God to marry this person, then you must make your own decision apart from your family about your destiny.  You are a man now.  Time to act and live as one. – CatholicView Staff

 
”If I have cancer, can I choose not to have medical
treatment?” – Bill  

CatholicView Staff:

If I am diagnosed with cancer, do I have to accept radiation or chemotherapy for this malady, or may I chose not to receive any medical treatment? - Bill

Dear Bill:

You are the master of your destiny and life.  God gave you that free will to determine your life here on earth.  I understand that radiation and chemotherapy for such a life-threatening disease like cancer can be fearful about its after effects.  You must look at the big picture.  Is your cancer curable through radiation and chemotherapy?  If your decision is not to accept this kind of radical medical treatment, will it affect the lives and family unity around you?  Even though this illness concerns you and your future, your decision what to do about it affects everyone you come in contact with, from family to friends.  This is not ONLY about you.  It is about you and your loved ones.   How will your decision change their lives?  I want you to think very deeply about this.  Your life and the lives of those around you are interdependent.  But in the end, only you can make the decision on how to fight or not fight this cancer.  You do not have to choose to go through this kind of medical treatment.  But, think outside of yourself.  Whether you accept it or not, believe it or not, there is someone depending on you.   What will happen to them? – CatholicView Staff

 
 “I am angry with my in-laws because they did something
that cost us $1200.  Am I guilty of sin?” – Stacie

CatholicView Staff:

My in-laws did something that cost us $1200. I am very angry at them and can't seem to get past it. Can I still pray the rosary ("as we forgive those who sin against us")? Am I guilty of one of the 7 deadly sins? - Stacie

Dear Stacie:

All the anger in the world is not going to get you the money that was spent.  I am sorry to hear that your in-laws made a very unwise and bad financial decision.  But what are you going to do?  You could sit there in your home and stew about it and nothing will get done.   You could bring them to small claims court, but what will that accomplish since the court fees will cost you some money to get back some money.  And how will your spouse feel about you harboring such angry feelings about his parents?  Your resentment and anger does not really hurt your in-laws, it is destroying you.  And that is the insidious power of sin.  Sin always destroys the sinner.  So, why should you let the power of your anger and resentment enslave you when you can make the decision to let go and say with confidence, “A lesson learned.”  If you don’t get past this, it will only make you sick in mind, body, and soul.  If you can get past this, you will be living a more peace life.  I’d rather live a peaceful life. – CatholicView Staff

 
“During lent am I allowed to eat frog or any
amphibian on Friday?” – Robert

CatholicView Staff:

During lent am I allowed to eat frog or any amphibian on Friday? - Robert

Dear Robert:

When the rule of abstinence came into practice, it was meant to cover a meal made from large warm-blooded animals such as cattle, sheep, fowl or pork since this was a common staple then as now.  So, frogs fit this category as they are considered cold blooded.  As for me, during Lent, I abstain from all flesh (including fish) on Fridays as a spiritual exercise for my soul and spirit. – CatholicView Staff 

 
 “Can we pray directly to God or do we pray through
Jesus Christ?” – Kenneth

CatholicView Staff:

We are taught that when we pray we at some point say "In Jesus Christ's name" but yet Jesus gave us the Lord’s Prayer to pray directly to God.  So can we pray directly to God or do we pray through Jesus Christ? - Kenneth

Kenneth:

Every prayer goes through Jesus Christ whether you mention Him or not at the end of the prayer.  When Jesus taught us the Lord’s Prayer, he was saying it and He didn’t have to put “in Jesus’ name” at the end of the prayer.   So, don’t be concerned about it.  The prayer lines go directly to the Father through Jesus whether you say “in Jesus’ name” or not. – CatholicView Staff

 
“Is it a sin for me to marry a woman who hasn't
been chaste?” – Eliott    

CatholicView Staff:

Although I am committed to pre-marital celibacy for myself, is it a sin for me to marry a woman who hasn't been chaste prior to our marriage?  - Eliott

Dear Elliot:

No, it is not a sin for you to marry this woman if she is ready to love you and commit herself to you in marriage.

The past isn't important as much as what is happening in the present.   God always forgives, and through His forgiveness, He heals.  God forgives and forgets because He see the future potential in all of us to be His instruments of love. - CatholicView Staff

 
”Is it bad luck to leave a St. Joseph stature buried in the
yard after I sell the home?” – Kevin    

CatholicView Staff:

In my efforts to sell my home I buried a St. Joseph statue in my yard.  Now that it has sold I can't seem to find it.  I have dug in the spot I thought it was buried.   I have heard of bad luck if you leave it buried and I do not want to show any disrespect by not recovering it. What to do? – Kevin

Dear Kevin:

The statue of Saint Joseph is just a thing.   It does not possess any magical or mystical power.  To some, there is a superstition that if one buries a statue of Saint Joseph somewhere on their property, that their property would be sold quickly.  That is far from the truth.  Your property sold because it was the right time for the it to be sold according to God's will.   Now, interestingly enough, when a blessed object or a sacred icon is no longer needed because of disrepair or its purpose is ended, it is usually buried or burned as a sign of respect for what it represents.  Your buried statue of Saint Joseph is safe and is buried as sacred icons should be when their purpose is ended.  Put your trust in God and not in any thing made by human hands.  Statues of Jesus and various saints are just reminders of their life like a picture is for me when I look at it.  A picture of my family reminds me of their love and the joy we shared.  The images of Jesus or the saints remind me to live a Christian life and if they could live for God with their lives, so can I.    – CatholicView Staff 

 
” What is the church's stance on souls
that never knew Christ?” – Todd

 CatholicView Staff:

I was watching a documentary on Roman soldiers recently and they talked of how they were killed in battle. It made me curious... what is the church's stance on those souls that never knew Christ? - Todd

Dear Todd:

None of us can know what was in the hearts of those Roman soldiers who died in battle.  We also do not know if any made peace with the Lord during the final moments before death.

In cases like this, we depend on God to judge.  We can never know God’s ways or the hearts of the Roman soldiers who died. – CatholicView Staff

 
“I lied to my friend to get money.  What must
I do to be forgiven?” – Shelly

CatholicView Staff:

I manipulated a non-Catholic, pro-choice friend into helping me pay some bills by telling her that I had an abortion. I did not have an abortion. I wanted her financial help and no questions. Is saying I had an abortion the same thing as killing an unborn child? What must I do to be forgiven? - Shelly

Shelly:

You lied.   You manipulated by your own confession here.   You should have been honest with your “friend” and asked for financial help for the right reasons.  Saying you had an abortion even though you didn’t isn’t the same as having an abortion.  And you used a serious and mortal sin to get what you wanted.  You cheated, lied, and manipulated a “friend.”  What does that say about your character? 

That you seek to repent is one important and vital step forward.  Now you must work on your Christian life so that you will hear the warning bells of the “Holy Spirit” when you venture toward serious damage to your soul.  You must ask the Lord to keep you from behaving in an ungodly and unchristian manner again.   You must confess your sin, repent, and give back the money you took (stole) from your “friend.”  Then reconciliation will be yours. -  CatholicView Staff

 
“I am divorced and remarried.  Can I participate
in the sacraments?” – David

CatholicView Staff:

I am a divorced and remarried Catholic. My first wife was recently killed in a traffic accident. Am I now allowed to partake of the sacraments? - David

Dear David:

You need to have your present marriage blessed (convalidated) in the Church before you can share in the sacramental life of the Church. – CatholicView Staff

 
 “Am I able to take part in confession/communion in a
church under the authority of the Pope?” – Holly   
 

CatholicView Staff:

I converted and was baptized in a church where the priest and bishop held the sedevcantist position. I have since found the view to be contrary with the very core of Catholic belief. Am I able to take part in confession and communion in a church under the authority of the Pope?   What about a St. Pius X church? - Holly

Holly:

Please talk to your local Roman Catholic parish priest and please begin taking part in the Rites for Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) process so that you can be in full communion with the Catholic Church.  Even though your baptism is valid and recognized by the Church, you need to be united with the Catholic Church with Benedict XVI as the legitimate Pope and canonically recognized Bishop of Rome.   There are Roman Catholic churches/parishes that continue to use the Tridentine Rite Mass by papal decree.  If you wish, please talk to the local priest of such a parish.   – CatholicView Staff

 
“Is masturbation a mortal sin?” – Tim

 

CatholicView Staff:

Is masturbation a mortal sin? - Tim

Dear Tim:

Yes, it is.  CatholicView has written an article on this subject that may be beneficial to you.  Use this link to access the article:  http://catholicvu.com/newpage197htm.htm.   Here you will find all the information concerning this issue.   – CatholicView Staff

 
 “If one prays over religious medals for intercession,
Is that not idolatry?” – Brian

CatholicView Staff:

I've always been curious about the role of objects, such as St.Benedict medals, in our faith. If one believes such objects give you an "advantage" over just simply praying for intercession, is that not idolatry? – Brian

Brian:

The role of religious objects, called sacramentals, is just one of remembrance of the saint or a reminder of God’s presence and His mercy.  These objects (sacramentals) do not carry any power or any advantage.  These things are just reminders of God’s presence with us.   There are people who like to have such reminders with them.  Putting any expectation of divine favors in things like sacramentals, or using sacramentals as some kind of talisman, takes away from the purpose of faith itself:  to bring me in union with God and to salvation through Jesus Christ.  Only my faith affirmation from my heart in Jesus as Lord will do that. – CatholicView Staff   

“I saw a UFO in 1982.   Is there any biblical reference to
explain this?” – Joan    

CatholicView Staff:

In 1982 I saw a UFO. This event has profoundly changed me. I know others have seen them and there seems to be no answers to my questions. My question is; I believe in the existence of this phenomena, and that they are something God created, is there any biblical reference to possibly explain this? - Joan

Joan:

There are no direct references to unidentified flying objects (U.F.O.) in the scriptures, though one can make a case for UFOs  from a reading of Ezekiel 1:4 – 28 concerning his experience of God’s chariots, flying wheels, and his transportation to other places (Ezekiel 2:13-15) by means of these flying wheels.   But biblical tradition has always interpreted these chapters as a cultural (that time frame of 587 BC) description of God and His power as seen in a storm, and God showing in these symbols of power and glory that He is with His people even though they are in exile in Babylon.  Some people have had experiences of UFOs.  Most have not.  But there are no direct references to UFOs or their existence in scriptures.  There is so much we do not know.  All I do know is that God created us, that Jesus died and rose from the dead, and that we have our salvation in Jesus alone.  One day, we will know the answers to our questions.  Until that time, we trust in God and move forward! - CatholicView Staff

 
 “Can I do indulgences  even if I am waiting for
annulment proceedings?” – Rita 

CatholicView Staff:

I am a divorced and remarried Catholic waiting for proceedings from the church so I can receive sacraments again.  I pray a lot and offer them up for sinners which I am also.  In RCIA  I was told I could not do indulgences. - Rita

Dear Rita:

Indulgences are given because of a certain charitable act or saying a special prayer.  By doing the requirements for an indulgence, you receive them.  The question comes when a person is separated from the Church community such as, for example, divorce and remarriage without an annulment and solemnizing the “second” marriage.   It is my understanding that by doing the required action, you receive the indulgences that can be used for yourself or for someone who has died no matter your status in the Church. – CatholicView Staff

 
“What is the appropriate dress code for a seminarian
greeting the Holy Father?” – Kyle    

CatholicView Staff:

I am a seminarian who is going to New York for the Pope's visitation to the United States. I was wondering what is the appropriate dress code for a seminarian greeting the Holy Father? - Kyle

Kyle:

I do not know exactly what is the uniform code for seminarians for your diocese.  I can only speak about the dress requirements for our seminarians in the diocese I belong.  According to our diocesan regulations, seminarians of our diocese on such occasions are to wear a black suit, white shirt and black tie, with black shoes.   If the papal activity is outside, then appropriate informal attire is acceptable. – CatholicView Staff

 
”I had to have an abortion but I cannot forgive myself. 
What will happen to me?” - Kim

CatholicView Staff:

Two years ago I became pregnant and unmarried at age 40 and had health conditions with my heart and was advised to have an abortion because I could die and the baby if I tried to go full term. It was the most painful time in my life and my family and friends pushed me to abort for fear of my health. It has been the biggest regret of my life. It tears me apart. I went to a special priest who is allowed to hear confessions on such a grave matter and I confessed and he absolved me of the sin. Father, I still cannot let go of the guilt of what I did to my baby. I wanted to take the chance with my life but I let myself be convinced by people who love me to do the wrong thing. I worry my soul will go to hell even though I confessed and was absolved. I still cannot forgive myself. What will happen to me? - Kim

Dear Kim:

Jesus died on the cross for you on Good Friday!  Jesus has already died for your sins and the sins of all humankind.  Please, do not second guess Jesus and His mercy for you and all of us sinners.  As to your situation concerning the abortion you had to procure for reasons of your own health, I would not second guess the doctor or your decision to act.   Your unborn child is in heaven, free and enjoying the unconditional love of the Lord, and knows that you are suffering because of your guilt.  I am sure that your child will want you to be free and live a full life. 

Your child is a saint now in heaven and prays for you and watches over you until the time that you will be reunited in heaven.  Be at peace.  Jesus has already died for all of your sins.  Your job is to accept His forgiveness, reconciliation, healing, and move on. – CatholicView Staff

 
“After 35 years I went to confession and the priest
absolved me.  Are all my sins forgiven?” – Paula

CatholicView Staff:

I had not gone to confession for over 35 years. I recently went to confession and was so nervous. The priest guided me by going through each commandment one by one and asked me if I was truly sorry if I had committed any sins against this commandment. I did not list actual sins. Are all my mortal and venial sins forgiven by this confession? I truly felt remorse. Am I truly forgiven or do I need to go back and actually list the sins that were bothering me the most. Thank you. - Paula

Paula:

You are forgiven and reconciled to the Church.  Be at peace.   Rejoice in the Lord and His mercy and love for you.  But if there is anything that is bothering you and has become a spiritual and an emotional burden, then please, bring it up during your next confession. – CatholicView Staff

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   (Click here to read February 2008 Q/A)