Blessing of relics



Document Title
Blessing of relics
Question from on 06-11-2007:
My wife and i recently approached two priests to place a blessing on some religious articles, among which were some second and third class relics.

Both priests said they would not bless the relics because they are blessed "by their nature."

several questions arise:

1. what is meant by "blessed by their nature?"

2. would a blessing by a priest's hands not complement the sanctity of the relic?

3. does this prohibition of blessing relics apply to first, second, and third class relics equally?

thank you and God bless you. Joseph



Answer by David Gregson on 06-29-2007:
"Blessed by their nature" would mean that relics, being either derived from the bodies of Saints (in the case of first class relics), or physically associated with them, as bits of their clothing (second class relics), or touched to first class relics (third class relics), partake of the sanctity of the Saints themselves, to which nothing could be added by a priestly blessing.



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Devotion to the Blessed Mother



Document Title
Devotion to the Blessed Mother
Question from on 06-27-2007:
What is the "Little Office of the Blessed Virgin"?



Answer by Fr. Robert J. Levis on 06-29-2007:
Dear Sue, Every priest must recite the Divine Office, the official prayer of the Church, daily. It is a combination of the psalms, hymns, and canticles of the Church. It used to take about one hour for this recitation. An abbreviated version of this official prayer i the "Little office of the BVM", designed for the laity, a shortened version in honor of Mary. A most beautiful prayer. Fr. Bob Levis


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Pope approves examinaton of St. Paul's tomb



Catholic World News : Pope approves examinaton of St. Paul's tomb
Pope approves examinaton of St. Paul's tomb

Rome, Jun. 29, 2007 (Kath.net/CWNews.com) - Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) has approved an examination of the tomb of St. Paul, located in the Roman basilica of St. Paul outside the Walls, the Kath.net news service reports.

The German-language news service reportsthat the Pope has given the green light for a plan to examine the interior of the tomb located beneath the altar of the ancient basilica, using an endoscopic probe.

Last December an archeologist announced the discovery of a large marble sarcophagus in excavations under the altar of the basilica, marked with a marble slab that read: "St. Paul, apostle." Although the basilica was built on the site of St. Paul's martyrdom and burial, the exact location of his tomb had been lost to history after a fire early in the 19th century. Cardinal Andrea Cordero Lanza di Montezemolo, the archpriest of the basilica, conceded that while the sarcophagus is marked as that of St. Paul, there is no certainty about the contents of the tomb. Having removed debris and plaster that surrounded the site, archeologists now plan a careful examination of the interior.


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Five thousand British convert to Catholicism



Five thousand British convert to Catholicism each year, says British priest
Five thousand British convert to Catholicism each year, says British priest


London, Jun 28, 2007 / 12:14 pm (CNA).- In an interview with the Spanish daily “La Razon,” Father Gerard Sheehan, pastor of the Church of St. Thomas Moore, said that in his Diocese of Westminster-London, each year some 800 new Catholics are baptized or received into full communion with the Church.”

“If we apply those numbers to all of England, we can say without fear of being wrong that the Catholic Church in England receives an average of five thousand new adult members each year,” he said.

Father Sheehan said conversions reached their peak during the 90’s, when the progressive wing of the Anglican Church in the United States ordained women bishops, something unacceptable to the “conservative” wing of the Church of England. “That was a key moment,” he said, adding that “today, the number of converts is less than it was ten years ago, but when the (Anglican) Church of England accepts the ordination of women bishops, conversions will increase again.”

Father Sheehan said it was difficult to obtain concrete numbers as the Church “has always wanted to avoid giving signs of triumphalism, she does not want to publicly brag about these issues, because she does not want to offend anybody; in reality for sometime unity between the two churches has been sought, and any show in this sense could damage the road to this encounter.”

The case of Tony Blair, who visited Pope Benedict XVI recently at the Vatican amid rumors of his imminent conversion to Catholicism, is a one such case. The Vatican made no comment about the matter, and Blair told the Times that, “Things are not as resolved as they would seem.” However, everything indicates that Blair’s conversion is just a matter of time and that, out of sensitivity, the announcement of his conversion will not come until he has left office, La Razon said, adding that Blair is only the public figure of the return to the Catholic faith of thousands of British who have already begun their process of conversion, with reserve and without intermediaries.


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Pope approves examinaton of St. Paul's tomb


Catholic World News : Pope approves examinaton of St. Paul's tomb
Pope approves examinaton of St. Paul's tomb

Rome, Jun. 29, 2007 (Kath.net/CWNews.com) - Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) has approved an examination of the tomb of St. Paul, located in the Roman basilica of St. Paul outside the Walls, the Kath.net news service reports.

The German-language news service reportsthat the Pope has given the green light for a plan to examine the interior of the tomb located beneath the altar of the ancient basilica, using an endoscopic probe.

Last December an archeologist announced the discovery of a large marble sarcophagus in excavations under the altar of the basilica, marked with a marble slab that read: "St. Paul, apostle." Although the basilica was built on the site of St. Paul's martyrdom and burial, the exact location of his tomb had been lost to history after a fire early in the 19th century. Cardinal Andrea Cordero Lanza di Montezemolo, the archpriest of the basilica, conceded that while the sarcophagus is marked as that of St. Paul, there is no certainty about the contents of the tomb. Having removed debris and plaster that surrounded the site, archeologists now plan a careful examination of the interior.


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Lay Homilists



Document Title
Lay Homilists
Question from on 06-21-2007:
Recently, the Catholic school my children attend held a special children's Mass for an Army Sergeant who had graduated from that school, and had died serving in Iraq. During the Mass, one of the teachers was permitted to present the homily. Before she spoke, the priest also extended the invitation to any teacher who wanted to present a homily at any other children's Mass. As a parent, I found this disturbing, as I see the innovations becoming ever more progressive, and am considering moving my children to another school. But this is quite a large school, and it concerns me that so many young Catholics are being indoctrinated with these progressive ideas, while not even knowing the story of the school's patron saint. Does canon law permit lay homilists at children's Masses?


Answer by Rev. Mark J. Gantley, JCL on 06-26-2007:
WIth regard to daily Masses for children in which only a few adults participate, it is possible to omit the homily and have another person speak instead. The intent of allowing this is to make provision for priests who have difficulty relating to the mentality of children (Directory for Masses with Children #24).


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saints and angels



Document Title
saints and angels
Question from on 06-26-2007:
how can an angel be called a saint i.e in the St Michael prayer for protection, or the Archangel Raphael prayer that says 'St Raphael the archangel...'?


Answer by Rev. Mark J. Gantley, JCL on 06-26-2007:
"Saint" in that sense merely is a title that means "holy." You are correct that angels and saints are two different things.


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Mass in private homes



Document Title
Mass in private homes, parties in the rectory
Question from on 06-22-2007:
In our Sunday bulletin we parishioners were advised that our parish had been divided into six zones. If we parishioners were interested in hosting a weekday mass for our zone, our addresss will be posted in the bulletin. If we want to attend mass at a host's house, we are to call the host and tell them how many people are in our party so they can get enough folding chairs from the church. Hosts are signed up from June through August. After Sunday mass, hosts have risen to the ambo to tell how wonderful it was to have Mass in their home.

I have no idea why this is going on since our large church can certainly accomodate the weekday mass crowd. My guess is it is a prelude to a fundraiser. Is that a reason to offer mass in the home? Also, our former pastor built an outside alter which was not completed before he was transfered, but it was his intent to hold mass outdoors. Is it permissible to offer mass anywhere other than in the church provided the space is adequate? I don't want to be a busy body, but it makes me uncomfortable and I do want to know whether I have a duty to bring this to the attention of the bishop or anyone else, if it is not appropriate.

So while I'm at it, here's another thing that makes me uncomfortable. The pastor invited everyone to bring the last of their Christmas holiday goodies to the rectory for a parish wide party and lots of people went. Yet our church has an adequate dining hall. What's wrong with this picture?

The pastor is a personable kind of guy who means well, but...

Thanks. God Bless.


Answer by Rev. Mark J. Gantley, JCL on 06-26-2007:
This practice of Masses in various homes is suprising in today's era with the prevalence of lawsuits. I know that in my parish, we are constantly concerned about safety, environment, and abuse issues. It seems like using private homes as places for official functions is just opening the door to problems.

That aside, canon 932, §1 states: "The eucharistic celebration is to be carried out in a sacred place unless in a particular case necessity requires otherwise; in such a case the celebration must be done in a decent place." That is the norm. You'll have to decide whether your situation calls for Mass to be celebrated in private homes. I would imagine that the people's homes are decent.

I don't see a problem with having a party in the rectory.


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Baptist ceremony



Document Title
Baptist ceremony in Catholic Church
Question from on 06-26-2007:
Recently I attended a wedding of a friend of mine who is Baptist. Her and her spouse are baptist. The ceremony was a baptist ceremony, presided over by a baptist minister and held in the chapel at a Catholic college. The bride graduated from the college. No Catholic priest was present.

Is this appopriate? Are Protestants allowed to have protestant ceremonies in Catholic Churches and Chapels?

I expressed my concern to a few people and they told me that I was not being very loving to my "seperated bretheren".


Answer by Rev. Mark J. Gantley, JCL on 06-26-2007:
This is possible, according to the Directory for the Application of the Principles and Norms of Ecumenism, #137: "Catholic churches are consecrated or blessed buildings which have an important theological and liturgical significance for the Catholic community. They are therefore generally reserved for Catholic worship. However, if priests, ministers or communities not in full communion with the Catholic Church do not have a place ... for celebrating worthily their religious ceremonies, the diocesan bishop may allow them the use of a church or a Catholic building."

Since it is also the college chapel, a regular arrangement may also have been made to use the chapel as a shared building (#140).


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Church Closings



Document Title
Church Closings
Question from on 06-26-2007:
Our Bishop has decided that it is time to close some Church buildings in our diocese. He has said for years that we have too many buildings. Now he has said that over 40 of these buildings will be vacated starting this Summer.

My Church is one slated for closure. It is a beautiful Church. It has frescoes in the ceiling, stained glass windows, life sized statues,and stations of the cross that are actually inside of the walls. In short, when you enter this Church, you know that you are somewhere special and you feel God's presence!

My question is this....What is going to happen? Is there a set of guidelines that must be followed or does the Bishop just throw everything away? I have made it known that I would like to take a few of the statues home, but there is a very cool reception on that idea.

I would appreciate any help that you can provide. Thank you and God Bless!!


Answer by Rev. Mark J. Gantley, JCL on 06-26-2007:
Many dioceses that are closing parishes also have some system for maintaining certain items of historical or artistic value (e.g., stained glass windows, statues) so that they can be used later in the building of new churches. I would inquire to see if that is being done in your case.



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Priesthood and Autism



Document Title
Priesthood and Autism Question from on 06-22-2007: Dear EWTN, I am considering joining the priesthood when I get older. I was considered very smart in my religion class for confirmation, and people say I give good speachs. however there is one problem. I have high-functining autism, and social skills are not my best area. Does anywhere in canon law say I can't be a priest? Thank You

Answer by Rev. Mark J. Gantley, JCL on 06-26-2007: Canon law is not primarily a list of prohibitions but rather positive directives. However, relatively good physical and mental health are a requirement for ordination. I would say that, depending on the severity of your condition, you may or may not be accepted as a candidate for priesthood. I would imagine that your lack of social skills may be a major consideration as well. Perhaps a suitable religious order might also be a better fit for you (e.g., a contemplative order that requires less social interactions).


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Rite of Confirmation



Document Title
Rite of Confirmation
Question from on 06-22-2007:
Hi Father, Recently, I have looked at my church's liturgikon for the Rite of Confirmation, and according to the rubrics, the essential part of the chrismation (sealing of chrism) what the bishop says is this, I sign thee with the sign of the cross and confirm thee with the chrism of salvation, in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. But, I realised that when the bishop confirmed me last year, he said something else, and there was no cheek slap, as according to the rubrics after the Peace greeting.
Answer by Rev. Mark J. Gantley, JCL on 06-25-2007:
I think that you are looking at a copy of the Rite of Confirmation from before Vatican II.

The current form of the sacrament of confirmation is, "Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit." This is said while laying the right hand on the person's head and simultanously anointing the forhead with the sacred chrism (the consecrated scented oil).

The slap is not included in the current rite as it was a later addition to the sacrament.


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rules for electing new pope



Holy Father changes rules for electing new pope
Holy Father changes rules for electing new pope


Holy Father restores old rules with a Motu Proprio

Vatican City, Jun 26, 2007 / 09:02 am (CNA).- It was announced today that the Holy Father, Benedict XVI has brought back the traditional method for electing a new Pope. Under Pope John Paul II, the procedure was changed to a series of ballots punctuated with time for reflection and prayer if a pontiff was not chosen within the first three days.

The change back to the traditional rules was made public today in a "Motu Proprio," written in Latin. In the letter, Benedict XVI restores the traditional norm concerning the majority required for the valid election of the Supreme Pontiff to two thirds of the cardinals present.

In 1996, John Paul II changed the standard in the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici gregis. Under John Paul II’s rules, a new Pope was validly elected by two thirds during the first three days of voting.

However, after three days of voting without an election, there would be a day dedicated to reflection and prayer, without voting. Thereafter, voting would resume for seven additional ballots, another pause for reflection, another seven ballots, another pause and yet another seven ballots. After which an absolute majority was to decide how to proceed, either for a vote by absolute majority or with balloting between two candidates. This was to happen only in the event that the cardinals arrived at the 33rd or 34th ballot without a positive result.


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guidelines for proper dress in church



Archdiocese of Manila issues guidelines for proper dress in church
Archdiocese of Manila issues guidelines for proper dress in church


Manila, Jun 26, 2007 / 11:22 am (CNA).- Numerous complaints about skimpy attire in church have prompted the Archdiocese of Manila to issue guidelines for proper dress when attending Mass or other church services.

Last week, the archdiocese began distributing posters on proper church attire in its parishes and shrines. The posters are to be placed in areas where they are clearly visible.

“The posters clearly show how one can be properly dressed for church,” said Fr. Godwin Tatlonghari of the archdiocese's Ministry of Liturgical Affairs.

The guidelines indicate that women should not wear short skirts, skimpy shorts, sleeveless blouses, tank tops or spaghetti-strap tops and plunging necklines in church. Men should not wear caps, shorts and basketball jerseys.

Instead, the archdiocese recommends women wear blouses, corporate or office attire, school uniforms or long dresses, while men should wear shirts, jeans or slacks.


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New changes in Roman Curia



Catholic World News : New changes in Roman Curia
New changes in Roman Curia

Vatican, Jun. 27, 2007 (CWNews.com) - In the latest shuffling of positions in the Roman Curia, Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) has named Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli the president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, replacing Archbishop John Foley.

Archbishop Foley, in turn, will become the head of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, replacing Cardinal Carlo Furno, who is retiring at the age of 85. The American archbishop will have the title of "pro-grand master," with the prefix "pro" indicating that the grand master ordinarily ranks as a cardinal. Archbishop Foley will be heavily favored to receive a red hat at the next consistory.

Archbishop Celli has spent the past 12 years as secretary of the secretary of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See. He had previously served in the Secretariat of State.

The Pontifical Council for Social Communications has been the subject of many rumors, with some journalists suggesting the Pope Benedict might merge several Vatican offices into a single dicastery to supervise the public-affairs efforts of the Holy See. To date no such plans have been unveiled.

Archbishop Foley was president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications for an extraordinary period of 23 years. A native of Philadelphia who once edited the newspaper of that archdiocese, he was appointed to head the Vatican's media efforts by Pope John Paul II (bio - news) in April 1984.


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saints and angels


Document Title
saints and angels
Question from on 06-26-2007:
how can an angel be called a saint i.e in the St Michael prayer for protection, or the Archangel Raphael prayer that says 'St Raphael the archangel...'?

Answer by Rev. Mark J. Gantley, JCL on 06-26-2007:
"Saint" in that sense merely is a title that means "holy." You are correct that angels and saints are two different things.


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Why is it that the Catholic Church is against Capital Punishment

Capital Punishment
Question from on 06-25-2007:
Why is it that the Catholic Church is against Capital Punishment when the Bible sanctions Capital Punishment in the following verses?: Gen. 9:6 Deut. 13:11;17:7,13;19:13,20;21:21 Rom. 13:3,4 Num. 35:31-34
Answer by Fr.Stephen F. Torraco on 06-25-2007:
It is unfortunate that in recent times the Church's teaching on capital punishment has been presented so unclearly, both by members of the Church as well as of the media and other sectors of society. The Church's teaching on this matter is governed primarily by the natural law, and secondly by the principle of double effect. The Church's teaching on this matter remains fundamentally the same. The Church has always taught that it is the right and responsibility of the legitimate temporal authority to defend and preserve the common good, and more specifically to defend citizens against the aggressor. This defense against the aggressor, by virtue of the principle of double effect, can resort to the death penalty. The point here is that the death penalty is understood as an act of self-defense on the part of civil society. In more recent times, Pope John Paul II has taught that the need for such self-defense to resort to the death penalty is "rare, if not virtually nonexistent." The important point here is that the Pope has not, as he cannot, change the constant and fundamental teaching of the Church on this matter, based as it is on the natural law, namely that it is the right and responsibility of the legitimate temporal authority to defend citizens against the aggressor. What the Pope IS saying is that, in modern society, the modern penal system, along with an intense anti-life culture, makes resorting to the death penalty *disproportionate* to the threatening aggression. (According to the 4th criterion of the principle of double effect, the unintended evil effect of the act of self defense has to be proportionate to the intended good effect of that act.) Thus, while the Pope is saying that the burden of proving the need for the death penalty in specific cases should rest on the shoulders of the legitimate temporal authority, it remains true that the legitimate temporal authority alone has the authority to determine if and when a "rare" case arises that warrants the death penalty. It would, by the standards of the natural law and the principle of double effect, be morally irresponsible to rule out all such possibilities a priori, just as it would be morally irresponsible to apply the death penalty indiscriminately. For these reasons, the Church cannot possibly embrace EITHER a totally PRO-capital punishment teaching OR a totally ANTI-capital punishment teaching.

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Russian Orthodox Church

Russian Orthodox Church
Question from on 06-16-2007:
Why and when did Christianity end up with a Russian Orthodox Church, and what's so difficult to accept, about the papal primacy in the latin rite? It seems to me that, a herd of wild animals have only one leader. Are they really posturing for a bigger piece of the pie, or is the Holy Spirit telling us to become more Russian in our culture?
Answer by Matthew Bunson on 06-24-2007:
Christian missionaries first preached in Russian territories during the ninth and tenth centuries. In 988, Emperor Vladimir was converted and baptized, declaring Christianity to be the state religion. To further the Christian faith, he invited priests from the Byzantine Empire into his realm; they established an initially Greek hierarchy but were eventually replaced by a native clergy. In 1054, the Russian Church sided with the Byzantines in its conflict with the Western Church, remaining an ally of the Eastern Church after the formal launching of the Great Schism.

In the 1300s, a new Russian state began to emerge out of the chaos and carnage of Old Russia, which had virtually been destroyed by the Mongols. This new state was centered in the grand duchy of Moscow. The grand duchy under Ivan III finally freed itself of Mongol domination in 1480. At the same time, the Russian Church soon became divided between two main metropolitans: Kiev and Moscow. Steadfastly resistant to the Western Church, the Russians refused to accept the union of the Churches that was negotiated at the Council of Florence in 1439. In 1448, still declining to acknowledge the union, the Russians elected their own metropolitan of Moscow, without the approval of the Byzantines. From that date, the Russian Church became autocephalous.

There are many obstacles to reunion that remain today. Indeed, if a formal reunion is achieved with the Orthodox, its terms will by simple necessity encompass and resolve all of the differences that exist between the Catholics and Orthodox including papal primacy, the rights of the Eastern Catholic Churches, and the resolution of other lingering theological disagreements. This is a tall order and may take some time to achieve, but it is certainly something for which we should all pray. I am also optimistic that real progress may take place in Pope Benedict XVI’s pontificate, especially given the common ground that is present – the collapse of Christian culture in the West, the rise of secular and atheistic humanism, the “dictatorship of relativism,” and the threat of pan-Islamist movements.

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The use of incense


The use of incense
Question from on 06-16-2007:
Dear Matthew Bunson

There was a time that when a protestant approaches me one time after serving at the mass asking me about the use and the reason of the use of incense in the mass. I'm very sorry also for being an altar boy and yet I don't know what's the real use of the incense. I wasn't able that time also to answer the question from a protestant. I was really asking because I really need an answer which is the spiritual reason regarding about the use of incense.

Thank you very much and God bless
Answer by Matthew Bunson on 06-24-2007:
Incense traditionally has several symbolic meanings. It represents the zeal with which the faithful should be consumed, just as the incense is consumed by the embers. Equally, it is a physical symbol of the so-called good odor of Christian virtue (hence it is said in the accounts of saints that they died in the odor of sanctity). Finally, it represents the ascent of our prayers to God. The smoke rises to the heavens just as our praises and supplications fly upward to God.

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Our Lady of the Canines





California Catholic Daily - Our Lady of the Canines?

Our Lady of the Canines?

LA Cathedral adds “Dog Day” to its offering of spiritually uplifting events

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles has been billed the “people’s cathedral” by Cardinal Roger Mahony. But, it now appears, it’s about to go to the dogs.

Since its dedication in 2001, Los Angeles’ new cathedral has been a community center as well as the foremost place of Catholic worship in the archdiocese. That “tradition” continues this summer with weekly organ recitals on Wednesdays.

Also, from July 11-15 and 19-23, the Shakespeare Festival/LA will hold its summer festival at the cathedral with performances of the Bard’s Midsummer Night’s Dream. Admission is free to the first 300 callers for each performance. Shakespeare Festival/LA requests each attendee to bring one canned food item for donations to its “Food for Thought” program, which, says the Festival, has distributed $1.5 million in food items L.A.’s needy.

The Cathedral Arts Chapel is hosting a contemporary art exhibition through Aug. 24, “The S-Word: The State of ‘Spirituality’ in contemporary Art.” The word “Spirituality” appears in quotes, says a review of the exhibit when it appeared at Los Angeles’ Judson Gallery (Oct. 7, 2006-Jan. 6, 2007), because “religion itself is not spirituality, nor are the artifacts and symbols of religious practice. By depicting devices and texts of such practice, an artist may be only tangentially addressing spirituality, and might actually, in fact, be subverting or satirizing religious belief. A thin gray line encircles the eye of the beholder, separating mortal error from transcendence.”

Two exhibits appearing in “S-Word” at the Judson Gallery underline this. One, by David Ligare, depicts a glass pitcher with grape juice and a stack of white bread sandwiches “on a small cut-away stage or altar by a body of water, visible only at the right edge of the image,” says the review. “It‘s a deftly updated commentary on the eucharist, the body and blood of Christ, and the rendering conveys a presence, even a reverence, that is surprising.” Another is “Kim Dingle’s highly original mixed-media construction, titled ‘My Struggles with Jesus,’” which displays “various dolls in disarray and in the process of unraveling.” This piece “constitutes a devastating moral query,” says the review.

The canine element, however, will appear in “Downtown Dog Day Afternoon,” July 31, in the cathedral plaza. The cathedral website bills this as “a Community Event for Downtown Los Angeles Doggies of ALL Faiths AND their Humans! Bring your four legged friend to the Cathedral for the Downtown Dog Day Afternoon being held on the Cathedral Plaza.”

The event will offer food, drinks (no-host bar), and “a hot dog cart featuring Dodger Dogs” (for humans only). Dogs “must on a leash and social,” says an event advertisement, and “downtowners without dogs [are] welcome too!” The event is “produced” by the Downtown Center Business Improvement District’s “Live, Work and Play Downtown L.A.”

“Co-hosts” for this event will be “Joaquin” Kostelnik and “Buddy” Bastian. “Buddy,” a Golden Retriever, belongs to Hal Bastian, vice president of economic development for the Downtown Center Business Improvement District; “Joaquin,” a Labrador, to Monsignor Kevin Kostelnik, the cathedral’s pastor.




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Death Language





Catholic Exchange - Your Faith. Your Life. Your World.

Death Language
Recent Articles:

The Edge

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An Industry of Mutual Degradation

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The Genovese Syndrome

Truth, Tolerance and Faith

>>See more The Edge articles



June 25, 2007

It's instructive to listen to the language some use when discussing life issues. The perversion of words to control the language is stunning.

People who advocate the creation of human life for spare parts and research subjects hide behind scientific terms like "blastocyst", "fetus", "procedure", and "therapeutic cloning" as if using precise scientific words in place of more common terminology can somehow change the meaning of the words themselves.

The truth of the matter is that English is a very precise language, and using it precisely illuminates the meaning rather than obscuring it. For example, "fetus" is the modern English word that comes from a Middle English word that means "bringing forth of young, hence that which is born." The Middle English word is itself derived from the Latin word "fecundus" which means "fruitful". Pro-abortion advocates use the word "fetus" rather than "baby" to hide what the "procedure" of abortion does: it ends a human life. "Terminating a pregnancy" sounds like a benign, and very private issue, rather than the taking a human life in which society has an interest.

Another example is the continued insistence by the proponents of embryonic stem cell research that such research is an act of mercy for people suffering from terrible diseases. They use terms like "blastocyst" or "embryo", and tout medical developments that haven't occurred. A "blastocyst" is the "blastula" of an embryo, a very early stage of human development. Put more plainly, a blastocyst is a very tiny human being.

When we use the bland, albeit precise, medical terms, we can easily obscure the subject of the discussion. On one website I reviewed for this article, the embryo was discussed as if it were some sort of "spare parts kit" rather than a human life. The author defended the use of embryos for research by referring to, "using embryos created at fertility clinics and donated by couples who no longer needed them." As if there was such a thing as a "throw-away human being".

To add insult to injury, there is not a single embryonic stem cell "therapy" actually working right now to end suffering from disease. There is, however, significant progress with therapies that have shown actual results in clinical trials with adult stem cells and umbilical cord blood stem cell. I say this merely to expose the language manipulation rampant in the media, but of course whether there or not there were or ever will be effective medical treatments created from embryonic stem cells does not change the fact that such use of tiny human beings is purely objectively evil.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church expresses the Church's unwavering commitment to the dignity of each person:

Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person — among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life (CCC 2270).

Sacred Scripture is clear regarding the humanity of the infant in the womb:

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you (Jer 1:5; cf. Job 10:8-12; Ps 22:10-11).

My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately wrought in the depths of the earth (Ps 139:15).

This means that human life is human life. Period. An embryo is a tiny human being... not a "potential life", not a sub-human species, not a "collection of cells". The tiny human life, be it blastula, diploid, zygote, or embryo is a complete, albeit small, human being and every reader of this article was once that small. The moment we begin to decide which human life has value and which one does not, or which one may be "harvested" for parts, is the moment we loose our own humanity.

It's not hyperbole to say that the person who maintains the viewpoint that an embryo is "just a collection of cells" possesses the same monstrous inhumanity that spawned the Holocaust in Europe during Second World War. It is the same evil depravity that fuels the jihadis in their quest to destroy the West. Once a person loses his conception of the human person, all sorts of atrocities are possible. The starvation of the sick and the elderly is portrayed as an act of mercy. Parents discard dozens of their own offspring as they select the "best" embryos, and babies are murdered in their own mother's wombs.

Our late beloved pontiff, Pope John Paul the Great commented on this baffling loss of our human dignity and the consequences in his 1995 encyclical, Evangelium Vitae:

All this is causing a profound change in the way in which life and relationships between people are considered. The fact that legislation in many countries, perhaps even departing from basic principles of their Constitutions, has determined not to punish these practices against life, and even to make them altogether legal, is both a disturbing symptom and a significant cause of grave moral decline. Choices once unanimously considered criminal and rejected by the common moral sense are gradually becoming socially acceptable. Even certain sectors of the medical profession, which by its calling is directed to the defense and care of human life, are increasingly willing to carry out these acts against the person. In this way the very nature of the medical profession is distorted and contradicted, and the dignity of those who practice it is degraded. In such a cultural and legislative situation, the serious demographic, social and family problems which weigh upon many of the world's peoples and which require responsible and effective attention from national and international bodies, are left open to false and deceptive solutions, opposed to the truth and the good of persons and nations (EV #4).

Those who spoke of the "final solution to the Jewish problem" share a legacy with those who discard human life as "no longer needed". Just as the slave traders used the language of animal husbandry to disguise their abuse of human beings, the current "slave traders" (abortionists) use the language of science to hide their destruction of human life. The "father of lies" has somehow convinced people to accept euphemism instead of the language of love.

But we need not accept discourse on Satan's terms; we have the truth, and therefore we are free to speak the truth. And as Father John Corapi has famously declared "Truth is not a something, truth is a Somebody, Jesus, the Christ." We need only speak the truth to stand up for the most defenseless in our society.

In the end, the Gospel is a call to action, so we are bound to speak out... just don't let the culture of death choose the language!




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We can sympathize with the unborn child





California Catholic Daily - “We can sympathize with the unborn child”

We can sympathize with the unborn child”

Pro-life movement finds support from an unlikely quarter

Steve Cook of San Jose, like most California pro-life advocates, is not surprised when he and his anti-abortion posters attract verbal abuse. After all, "pro-choicers" on the Left Coast have a reputation for intolerance. But after over 25 years of marching, picketing, and speaking out for the unborn, what really hurts, he says, is people screaming, "Traitor!" "Shame!"

This is because Steve represents a group that the Left never expected to find on the anti-abortion side: the Pro-Life Alliance of Gays and Lesbians.

Like most pro-lifers, Cook is convinced that any abortion of any unborn child is murder. But he has another reason to be uneasy with the ideology of "choice". “If prenatal tests could detect a tendency toward homosexuality in the unborn, some mothers would abort their babies because they did not ‘choose’ to have a gay son or daughter,” he explains.

Asks Cook, "Would gay abortion advocates say, ‘OK, it's your choice: go ahead and wipe us out?’

"I was on a medical ethics committee connected to an Episcopal Church," recalled Cook in a phone interview with California Catholic Daily, "and I was amazed at people who said that infants are ‘not necessarily' human beings. I said, 'They're different from you, and maybe you don't want them, but that doesn't make them less human.'

“Yet the gay and lesbian community itself is divided,” said Cook. “Not all gays are against aborting ‘gay’ babies. In the UK in the 1980s [famous British cross-dresser and gay activist] Quentin Crisp told me he’d had a life of rejection and wished he had been aborted.”

The Pro-Life Alliance of Gays and Lesbians was founded in 1991 in Washington, D.C. by Tom Sena and Joe Beard, an attorney who had donated many hours of pro-bono work to pro-life organizations. But they have not always been accepted as allies by the pro-life movement.

Five years ago, two Pro-Life Alliance of Gays and Lesbians members were arrested for parading without a permit when Nellie Gray, the permit holder for the annual March for Life, denied self-identified “gay” groups permission to participate. Miss Gray subsequently became convinced that the Pro-Life Alliance of Gays and Lesbians was genuinely pro-life and not "some kind of counter-protest." She changed her policy and the group has marched openly with their banners and posters in every March for Life rally since 2002.

Cook, who participated in the second-annual Walk for Life West Coast in San Francisco last winter, explained to California Catholic Daily, “I’m against the Darwinian view of evolution which states that only the ‘reproductively successful’ or the ‘fittest’ should survive. Human life should be protected at all stages and in all its forms.”

“As gays and lesbians, we are unwanted by society,” noted Pro-Life Alliance of Gays and Lesbians president Cecilia Brown in an interview with BustedHalo.com, “so we can sympathize with the unborn child, who is not wanted.”

With 900 members in half a dozen cities, the Pro-Life Alliance of Gays and Lesbians has set up pro-life displays at Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender gatherings, leafleted parades, and published articles against abortion in alternative as well as mainstream publications.

As one member noted to BustedHalo.com, conservative pro-lifers are increasingly approaching them and saying that though they don’t agree with them on everything, they are happy the group is there.




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canon 1063





Document Title

canon 1063 question
Question from on 06-21-2007:
My fiance and I have been engaged since February and are waiting until May of 2008 at her fathers request. My expectation of the engagement was that we would start spending more time together, my family would start treating her as part of my family and her family would start treating me as part of hers as we build the foundations for a strong marriage.

She works a few nights a week so there are some days that we don't get to see eachother. Her mom is also demanding that she spend one full night a week with her that I am not aloud over. I'm OK with the work situation but I really feel that her mom's demand is to the detriment of our relationship. My parents are happy to see both of us together, isn't that the way it should be?




Answer by Rev. Mark J. Gantley, JCL on 06-25-2007:
When marrying, you enter into a relationship not just with one's husband or wife but also with one's husband or wife's family. These in-laws are going to be a part of your life for the rest of your life if you proceed to marriage. What is a problem now will not likely go away.





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age of the world



Document Title

age of the world
Question from on 06-12-2007:
Could you give me an idea how old is the world from the Christian perspective?

Darwin's theory would say billions of years, correct?

Thank you.

Mrs. Morrison




Answer by Fr. Jay Toborowsky on 06-25-2007:
Thanks for your e-mail. Unfortunately I don't have any idea how old the planet earth is from the point of view of Christianity. Both faith and science come from th same creator (God), so the two cannot contradict each other.

Fr. Jay Toborowsky




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The use of incense





Document Title

The use of incense
Question from on 06-16-2007:
Dear Matthew Bunson

There was a time that when a protestant approaches me one time after serving at the mass asking me about the use and the reason of the use of incense in the mass. I'm very sorry also for being an altar boy and yet I don't know what's the real use of the incense. I wasn't able that time also to answer the question from a protestant. I was really asking because I really need an answer which is the spiritual reason regarding about the use of incense.

Thank you very much and God bless




Answer by Matthew Bunson on 06-24-2007:
Incense traditionally has several symbolic meanings. It represents the zeal with which the faithful should be consumed, just as the incense is consumed by the embers. Equally, it is a physical symbol of the so-called good odor of Christian virtue (hence it is said in the accounts of saints that they died in the odor of sanctity). Finally, it represents the ascent of our prayers to God. The smoke rises to the heavens just as our praises and supplications fly upward to God.




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Purgatory and Hell



Document Title

Purgatory and Hell
Question from on 06-23-2007:
Hello Father Levis, I was recently told that the Catholic Church no longer teaches the doctrine of purgatory. I was also told that the Church has reformed the teaching on Hell, saying now that it is a state of being without connection to God, but not a place of torment, i.e. no fire, no demons, etc. This information came to me from a dubious source, so I want to ask you if it is true, and what exactly the Church teaches about the final destination of the soul. Thank you very much.




Answer by Fr. Robert J. Levis on 06-23-2007:
Anon, NOt true. I know of no changes in the dogmatic stance of the Catholic Church on the doctrine of Purgatory. The only exception might be the teaching of the John Paul 2 on the notion of PUrgatory as a state of existence, not a place. Hell remains a state of eternal punishment to which God assigns a sinful soul. The Scriptures describe hell as a place of "unquenchable fire", a "furnace of fire", and eternal fire, but is main pain is eternal separation from God. Fr. Bob Levis




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Presence of whole Trinity in Eucharist









Presence of whole Trinity in Eucharist?


Question from on 06-11-2007:

I recently read that one can refer to the
blessed Mother as "Mother of the Eucharist." We also refer to her as
"Mother of God" but may not refer to her as "Mother of the Trinity."
From this it would seem that when one receives the holy Eucharist, one
is receiving the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus, but one is
not receiving the Father and the Holy Spirit. Yet I have been reading
that because God is one, we must be receiving the father and the Holy
Spirit as well as the Son when we receive the Eucharist. this makes
sense but I'm confused as to why Mary can be called "Mother of the
Eucharist" but not "Mother of the Trinity" if we receive the Trinity
when we receive the Eucharist. Can you clarify this? Thank you.


Answer by Richard Geraghty on 06-22-2007:

Dear Thomas,

When we receive Christ in
Holy Communion, we receive his body and blood, soul and divinity. His
body, blood and soul are human. He is divine because he has the nature
of the One God. Mary is the Mother of God because Christ has both a
human and a divine nature. The Father and the Son do not have a human
nature. So Mary cannot be the mother of the Trinity. All of the above
are human words to describe what Christ, who knows everything about God
and reality by his own personal experience, has revealed to us through
the Apostles. Christ certainly gave them the basic message about who he
was and who the Holy Trinity was but not in the exact words the later
Church councils used. The councils had to come up with new distinctions
because they were dealing with heretics whose interpretation of the
Apostles' words would have taken the heart out of the original
revelation given to the Apostles by Christ. That is why the Church
makes distinctions, not to create a new doctrine but to preserve the
original doctrine. Thus all of the above distinctions about the One God
in three divine persons or the divine and human nature of the Person of
Christ have been formulated by the Church in her efforts to combat
heresy as in the the first four centuries. So nobody in the Church,
even the Pope, sees what Christ sees. All the Popes and Bishops can do
is to pass on the substance of what Christ told the Apostles about the
great mysteries. Thus when the hierarchy in the great Councils of the
past made distinctions in words that were not literally in the Bible,
it did so, not because it had any special vision from Christ nor
because it had direct sight into the mystery (only Christ does). It did
so because it needed new words to safeguard an original teachings, not
to create a new teaching. If the Church did not have this power as a
living interpreter of Christ's message, it would have fallen apart
centuries ago because there are all kinds of ways that men can read the
Bible and come up with all kinds of plausible explanations that make
sense to one party but not to another, thus generating a fight which
leads to a dozen more parties until Christianity simply falls apart
under all the fighting. The Holy Bible alone cannot defend itself
against the interpretions that the human mind, especially of the
intellectuals, can invent. To deal with the fertile wits of man making
distinctions one needs, not Popes and Bishops who are intellectual
giants, but men humble enough to stick to what the Apostle's taught
them. And everything that Christ taught the Apostles was not written
down in the Gospels, which were organized by the Church four hundred
years later. Many Protestant do not agree with this notion of
tradition, a point I mention so that Catholics will know where they are
coming from. The first question is whether the Bible needs an
interpreter or not? Assuming that it needs some kind of interpreter,
who is that interpreter? Some individual or group of individuals or the
Catholic Church? That is one way to frame the issue.

Dr. Geraghty





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words of absolution









words of absolution


Question from on 06-22-2007:


Today at confession I couldn't understand the priest when he said the
words of absolution because he mumbled a bit and spoke quickly. I was
worried whether or not he said the words since the other day at Mass I
thought he also changed the words in consecration, just a bit. Should I
be worried about this or just let it go?


Answer by Fr. Robert J. Levis on 06-23-2007:
Wondering, Give the priest the benefit of the
doubt. His is the responsibility of absolving his penitents. Trust him
unless you have serious doubts about his competence. Fr. Bob Levis




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Is Mary Co-redemtrix









Is Mary Co-redemtrix


Question from on 06-11-2007:


Several friends have told me of Mary Our Lady of all nations. It seems that
she is considered to be co-redemtrix. Is this heretical or is it good
theology?

I would like this to go to Canon law also. The question bin is currently
full and could not be selected.

Thank you John



Answer by Richard Geraghty on 06-23-2007:

Dear John,

The title "Mediatrix" is
mentioned in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (969) I did not find
the title of Co-Redeemer there. Yet there has been a long tradition of
calling Mary Co-Redemptorix so there is nothing heretical about it.

Dr. Geraghty





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New Age Rosary Question









New Age Rosary Question


Question from on 06-17-2007:


Dear Dr. Geraghty,

I don't know that this
question really belongs under philosophy, but I saw that there was
already a warning about the "New Age Rosaries" on your forum. What I
was wondering is if this is real. I have also heard about these
rosaries and have found some of them, only in others color besides just
the colors listed. If this is real, is it possible that these symbol
could be found on other rosaries besides the plastic ones? I have found
two chain rosaries that have rather strange things on them; one has
multiple faces that are not pleasant looking and the other looks like
it has the heads of horned animals on it. Should I destroy them? Any
information that I could get on if this is real, I would be grateful.
Thank you very much!



Answer by Richard Geraghty on 06-23-2007:

Dear SK,

I do not know anything about the
New Age rosaries other than what I have hear in this forum. The
medieval cathedrales had gargoyles on them and Mary is often depicted
and crushing the head of a snake. So unless a rosary is obviously
weird, I would not worry about it.

Dr. Geraghty





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“They want to have a handcuffed and speechless Church”

“They want to have a handcuffed and speechless Church”



The
Church in Mexico proposes the inclusion of the topic of religious
freedom in the present legislative debate about governmental reform.







“Conditions
are still not good enough to talk about a full religious freedom”
in Mexico, says an editorial in the archdiocese of Mexico City’s
weekly, Desde la Fe. Present law doesn’t go further than
to allow freedom of worship, which only permits the celebration of
“our faith in closed spaces, without openly recognizing the
possibility for every [member of the] faithful to express his or her
religious convictions in the social, cultural and political life of our
country,” says the June 17 editorial.





Though the 1992 Mexican constitutional reforms conferred legal
status to churches as “religious associations,” these
changes were not enough to guarantee Catholics, and especially the
clergy, the right to participate in public life and freely express
their opinions on topics related to their ministry.





This became evident in the recent national debate about abortion
legalization in the Federal District (which includes Mexico City). When
some Church leaders expressed their opinion against abortion,
politicians and others wanted the federal government to silence them.
Cardinal Norberto Rivera, Archbishop of Mexico City, and his spokesman,
Father Hugo Valdemar Romero, were accused by several political parties
before the Secretaría de Gobernación (Ministry of
Internal Affairs) of violating state laws by engaging in the abortion
debate. Though the ministry exonerated Rivera and Romero for lack of
evidence, the political parties who made the accusations will appeal
its decision.





In addition, Valdemar was sued on May 24 by the feminist
organization Equidad de Género, which accused him of
discriminating against women by refusing to accept their freedom to
choose the fate of their unborn child’s life. In his written
answer to this lawsuit, Valdemar said that the clergy were the ones
that should complain of discrimination. “Every time we ministers
of religion, especially Catholics, express an opinion, a choir of
anti-clerical and Jacobin voices rises up,” said Valdemar.
“They want to have a handcuffed and speechless Church.”





“It seems as if some members of the Federal District
Assembly, incapable of openly dialoging with different proposals and
listening to those who think differently, take refuge in their
legislative majority and would like to impose repressive and
authoritarian laws on their opponents,” said the Desde la Fe editorial.





Through Desde la Fe, the Archdiocese of Mexico City has
proposed the inclusion of the topic of religious freedom in the present
legislative debate in the federal Congress about governmental reform.





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June 16, 2007 -- Far from the trenches in San Diego

June 16, 2007 -- Far from the trenches in San Diego



"There would be no demons of previous 'relationships' to haunt their married life -- no unwanted pregnancies, no abortions."







A
week ago, my husband Luis, a local sidewalk counselor, and I were
outside Our Lady of the Rosary in San Diego after the monthly Novus
Ordo Latin Mass when a young woman approached me and introduced
herself.





We apparently had met a year earlier at a gathering of the Goretti
Group, a local chastity organization. The young woman, Nicole, invited
me to her wedding the following Saturday. I was flattered, although
taken aback a bit, as it is unusual to be invited to the wedding of a
couple you don’t know well.





But, as Nicole and I visited over the next half hour or so, it
became clear to me – I needed to go to this wedding! To witness
this marriage was going to be a gift to anyone seriously working in the
Pro-Life/Chastity arena.





The following Saturday, I got ready to attend the wedding. I wanted
my husband Luis to accompany me, but he was nervous about leaving the
Family Planning Associates abortuary earlier than his customary 11:30
a.m. departure. However, when I arrived to pick him up, the sidewalks
were capably manned by David Lopez and a small group of prayer
warriors, so Luis decided to come along. In the rush to be on time,
neither of us realized that a short five-minute drive was going to
transport us to the polar opposite of the hopelessness of the abortion
industry and our hyper-sexualized culture.




We arrived at St. John the Evangelist Church in San Diego’s
North Park neighborhood as the bells were joyfully announcing the
imminent ceremony, and I became keenly aware that we might have just
walked into a time warp. We ducked into the church and encountered
Nicole waiting in the vestibule for the walk down the aisle.





As we hugged to say hello, she of course was radiant, and I of
course noted immediately that her dress wasn’t strapless,
backless, low-cut, or two sizes too small. She was just beautiful
– not “just” to imply minimally beautiful, but to
mean “only” beautiful because beautiful was all she needed.
She didn’t need a $2000 dress to make a statement. The joy and
confidence in her face said everything!





We settled in our seats and I admired the majestic gothic curves of
the church’s architecture. Then I noted the two simple rose
bouquets on the altar. Clearly, this couple didn’t feel the need
or the pressure to waste $2000 on flowers – the elegance of the
church was enough.





As I observed the numerous young families with three, four and even
five children (Nicole herself is the eldest of eleven children) and
nine young women and girls with their heads veiled, I reflected on my
conversation a week earlier with Nicole. She described her family and
how Alex courted her, all the time being protected by her family.
Several people had apparently cautioned her that she was too young for
marriage, and while I normally would have agreed with this, it was
clear Alex and Nicole had been raised for this. There would be no
demons of previous “relationships” to haunt their married
life -- no unwanted pregnancies, no abortions. No, this was an
opportunity to witness a young couple embracing the vocation of
marriage the way God always meant it to be.




If any of the young women who had found themselves at FPA that
morning had been in the church, their hearts would have been
irrevocably broken.





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Venue for Beatification/Canonisation









Venue for Beatification/Canonisation


Question from on 06-21-2007:


Dear Father,
Do you know what the difference is between teh Vatican Basilica and St
Peter's Sq is when it comes to stating teh venue of a persons
Beatification/Canonisation. The Vatican website notes the distinction -
I assume one is inside and the other is outside?

Many thansk


chris



Answer by Rev. Mark J. Gantley, JCL on 06-21-2007:

St. Peter's square is outside of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. Some events take place in
the square outside and some events happen inside.




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Rosary Bracelets









Rosary Bracelets


Question from on 06-17-2007:


Not sure where this would best be off, but we'll see if this works.

When
wearing a rosary bracelet, is there a certain hand we should wear it
on? I know our own religion favors the right hand as a symbol of what
is good, but I like to wear my bracelet on the left because I'm right
dominate, and it's easier to pray.



Answer by Fr. Robert J. Levis on 06-21-2007:
Abby, It makes no difference on which hand you
wear the rosary bracelet. The important thing is to recite it daily.
God bless. Fr. Bob Levis




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capitol punishment









capitol punishment


Question from on 06-20-2007:


Is it true that capitol punishment can still be justified even if you can contain the criminal you have in custody?


Answer by Fr.Stephen F. Torraco on 06-20-2007:
Capital punishment can be morally legitimate if
the legitimate civil authority rightly determines that this is the only
sure way of preventing further aggression against citizens.




Technorati Tags:

Ordained Priest









Ordained Priest


Question from on 06-20-2007:


Locally we have a new priest, 61, just ordained that loss his wife, has
a son .... I did not believe that any priest could have been married. I
thought is was part of doctrine. What does the church teach with
regards.


Answer by Rev. Mark J. Gantley, JCL on 06-20-2007:

The requirement of celibacy for priests in the Latin Church is a disciplinary requirement, not
a matter of doctrine. Furthermore, celibacy means not being married. It does not mean that
a person was never married previously. Marriage ends in death. If the priest's wife died,
then he is no longer married, and is free to be ordained (all other questions of suitability
aside).




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Receiving Holy Communion









Receiving Holy Communion


Question from on 06-19-2007:


On Sundays, at what point in coming late to church does it qualify for not fulfilling your Sunday obligation?

To
be able to receive Holy Communion on weekdays is it necessary to attend
Mass, or is it okay to come in right before or right at Communion time
and walk up and recieve Holy communion? We see a lot of this at our
parish church and nothing is said about it.



Answer by Rev. Mark J. Gantley, JCL on 06-20-2007:

There is nothing in canon law that permits a person to arrive late for Mass.

There are circumstances that excuse a person from Mass (e.g., sickness). Similarly, there
might also be legitimate reasons why a person is late (e.g., lost car keys and there is no later
Mass that day). If there is a legitimate reason for coming late, I don't see a problem with
going to Holy Communion.

Because we don't know the circumstances, we cannot judge individuals. However, I would
tend to think that the vast majority of people who come late have no legitimate reason and
have not properly fulfilled their Sunday Mass obligation and should not be receiving Holy
Communion.





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Year of St. Paul to be celebrated to mark 2000

Year of St. Paul to be celebrated to mark 2000 anniversary

Year will begin June 29th 2008










The Apostle to the Gentiles




.-
The Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff today
announced that at 5.30 p.m. on June 28, eve of the Solemnity of Sts.
Peter and Paul, Apostles, Benedict XVI will preside at the celebration
of first Vespers in the basilica of St. Paul's Outside-the-Walls.


During the ceremony, the Pope will proclaim a year especially
dedicated to St. Paul, to mark the 2000th anniversary of the birth of
the "Apostle of the Gentiles."


According to the Vatican Radio Calendar, the year will run from June
29, 2008, to June 29, 2009. No other details were available about
possible events during the year at the time of publication.



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Doubtful mortal sin









Doubtful mortal sin


Question from on 06-16-2007:


Dear Father Levis,

Do we have to confess doubtful mortal sin?

Thank you.



Answer by Fr. Robert J. Levis on 06-21-2007:
Dear Anon, The moral theologian, Jone, says that
no, practically speaking, doubtful mortal sins need not be confessed.
HOwever, I urge my penitents to confess such since the doubt might not
be sufficent. God bless. Fr. Bob Levis




Technorati Tags:

Eastern Orthodoxy









Eastern Orthodoxy


Question from on 06-21-2007:


Dear Father Levis,

I hope that you could help end some confusion I
have. There is a Greek Orthodox church and school not
far from our home. Last year, we had considered
sending our son to kindergarten there, but were
concerned about confusing him with the any differences
in our faiths. We spoke to a Catholic priest, who
assured us that the basic theologies were the same,
just that the Eastern Orthodox view the Pope as just a
bishop with no universal authority. We fortunately
decided to send our son to our parish school.

Recently this Greek Church had a festival, and my
husband went into the church and picked up a pamphlet
they had prepared. This pamphlet featured a page
highlighting the differences between our two faiths.
I was shocked to learn that the "Dogma of the
Immaculate Conception is denied by the Orthodox. The
Assumption of Mary is not required dogma for the
Orthodox" and that "the Roman doctrine of Purgatory is
rejected by the Orthodox". The pamphlet also states
the contraception is not subject to to any formal
condemnation by the Orthodox Church.

Are these accurate views of the Easter Orthodox? If
they are, they do seem to be radically different than
our Catholic faith. Also, on the page the highlights
the differences between Eastern Orthodoxy and
Protestantism, it states that the Orthodox pray for
the dead. If there is no Purgatory in their view, why
pray for the dead?

Thank you for your time



Answer by Fr. Robert J. Levis on 06-22-2007:
Dear MCV, While the Orthodox don't teach as
dogma the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin, they still hold for the
truth of this doctrine. They don't term it "Immaculate Conception" but
they hold for Mary's perfect sinlessness. We Latins always held for the
truth of the Assumption of Mary but we didn't define it as dogma until
1950. I expect that the Orthodox also teach the truth of this matter. I
can't seem to find out what their view on PUrgatory is. Sorry. Fr. Bob
Levis




Technorati Tags:

Rosary Bracelets









Rosary Bracelets


Question from on 06-17-2007:


Not sure where this would best be off, but we'll see if this works.

When
wearing a rosary bracelet, is there a certain hand we should wear it
on? I know our own religion favors the right hand as a symbol of what
is good, but I like to wear my bracelet on the left because I'm right
dominate, and it's easier to pray.



Answer by Fr. Robert J. Levis on 06-21-2007:
Abby, It makes no difference on which hand you
wear the rosary bracelet. The important thing is to recite it daily.
God bless. Fr. Bob Levis




Technorati Tags:

Will everyone be treated equally in heaven?







Will everyone be treated equally in heaven?

That is, will there be a pecking order depending on how good a life one has led?



Answer by Fr. Robert J. Levis on 06-22-2007:
Walt, WE will receive the reward we deserve in
the judgment of God. I expect there will be an almost limitless number
of planes of happiness in Heaven since the situation on earth is so
varied and our place will be selected for us by God who judges us from
our earthly history. The Scriptures seem to indicate this. Fr. Bob Levis




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new brown scapular









new brown scapular


Question from on 06-03-2007:


Hello
There is a new 'little', more attractive scapular that is being sold in
all the Catholic religion stores these days My daughters all have them
and are now supplying my grandchildren with these. I went to a sight
about 'scapulars' and what I read very specifically says to have the
indulgences, a scapular must be cut from the brown wool of the
Carmelite order. These new scapulars, while seeking to imitate the old
in as much as they have a pic on either end, are encapsulated in wood
covered with plastic. There are differing answers when I push my kids
to ask their priest. One said only 'purists' wear the old. Can I get a
difinitive answer anywhere? Thank you, God bless you all, Louise


Answer by Rev. Mark J. Gantley, JCL on 06-19-2007:

The Handbook on Indulgences only requires that a scapular be blessed in order to receive the
indulgence attached to its use.




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Veils - again









Veils - again


Question from on 06-09-2007:


During the EWTN coverage of the President Bush Papal visit, I noticed
that First Lady Laura Bush - and other women in the crowd - all wore
veils. Why is it that it is necessary for women (including
non-Catholics) to wear a veil for a Papal visit but one is not required
while attending Mass to receive our Lord Jesus in the Blessed
Sacrament? Thank you for your comment and for all you do for EWTN.


Answer by Rev. Mark J. Gantley, JCL on 06-19-2007:

If they wore veils, it is a sign of respect and not something strictly required.

If women want to wear veils during Mass, I see no problem with this. However, it is no longer
required by canon law.

I didn't promulgate the law. I am just saying what it is at present. Pope John Paul II
promulgated the current law which omits the requirement.





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children around the altar









children around the altar


Question from on 06-09-2007:


At Sunday Mass the chldren of the parish bring up the gifts and then
the priest allows them all to stay behind him during the consecration
and until the Mass is over, is this permitted or is it an abuse? I
spoke to other people about this and they said that the priests in
their parishes also do that. Thank you


Answer by Rev. Mark J. Gantley, JCL on 06-19-2007:

Just because a lot of parishes do something does not mean that it is right.

This is not permitted and is an abuse.

The priest might be doing this out of good intentions, but good intentions are not a sufficient
reason to adopt illicit practices.





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Missing Mass









Missing Mass


Question from on 06-09-2007:


Are there any repercussions to missing mass? I have had to miss mass
one weekend this year because of issues going on at my workplace. Would
I be in trouble if I had to miss another mass? It really breaks my
heart to miss mass. I hope I am not doing anything wrong.


Answer by Rev. Mark J. Gantley, JCL on 06-19-2007:

It is a grave obligation to attend Mass on Sunday. If a person misses Mass deliberately and
knowingly and with no excuse (e.g., sickness), then the person must go to confession prior to
receiving Holy Communion.

If you have some other reason, known in advance, for missing Mass, then you should ask
your parish pastor for a dispensation in advance. For example, someone arranges a cruise
and there is no Mass that will be celebrated on the trip. Your pastor can dispense you from
the obligation (or commute it to something else, such as spending an hour in prayer,
attending a daily Mass prior to departure, etc.). The dispensation can be granted verbally.





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Easter Duty









Easter Duty


Question from on 06-10-2007:


I can find nothing in the Catechism regarding this but from other
sources I've learned that fulfillment of the Easter Duty (obligation)
in the U.S. and Canada requires confession in any parish and Communion
in one's own parish. This must be done between the first Sunday in Lent
and Trinity Sunday. Is this correct? Thank you.


Answer by Rev. Mark J. Gantley, JCL on 06-19-2007:

The Easter duty is the obligation to receive Holy Communion. It is required by canon 920:
"§1. After being initiated into the Most Holy Eucharist, each of the faithful is obliged to
receive Holy Communion at least once a year. §2. This precept must be fulfilled during
the Easter season unless it is fulfilled for a just cause at another time during the year."
The obligated to go to confession is related in the sense that, in order to receive Holy
Communion, one might need to go to confession first in order to be in a state of grace.

The Easter duty is a minimum requirement in order to motivate people to receive the
sacraments. Ideally, a Catholic receives Holy Communion at every Mass that he or she
attends.

The dioceses of the U.S. have an indult which allows the fulfillment of the Easter duty from
the first Sunday of Lent through Most Holy Trinity Sunday. This may be true for Canada as
well. (I am not sure.)

The requirements from the 1917 Code of Canon Law regarding the fulfillment of this duty
in one's own parish have been dropped. So it can be fulfilled anywhere.





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Can Mass be Stopped









Can Mass be Stopped?


Question from on 06-16-2007:


If some members of the congregation are drunk and obnoxious,and are
racially prejudiced towards the priest and other persons present,can
the priest stop saying Mass and send everyone home?I once attended a
church where people behaved very disrespectfully but the poor old
priest tried to cope with them.He was a very devout and scholarly man
who warned the rest of us that we should not pass judgement and then
allowed the ignorant group to receive Communion,but I was appalled at
the racism and disrespect that was involved.I now hear that similar
behaviour occurred recently again at the same church and that the
present priest ignored it. I realise that the soldiers and onlookers at
Calvary behaved horribly,but do we tolerate such behaviour in front of
the altar nowadays?So, I ask,could a priest stop Mass,and at what
point?


Answer by Rev. Mark J. Gantley, JCL on 06-19-2007:

It sounds like someone needed to call the police. It is my understanding that, at least in the
United States, that such activity during a religious ceremony is illegal.




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lifting of body and blood









lifting of body and blood


Question from on 06-18-2007:


What is an appropriate prayer to say silently while the priest is holding up the body and blood of Christ (separately)?


Answer by Fr. Brighenti on 06-19-2007:

Dear George,

When I elevate the Sacred
Host and the Precious Blood I say to myself this prayer, "O Lord, My
God I believe you are trully present in these Sacramental Signs.",
"Jesus, My Lord, My God save souls," and finally, "O Sacrament Most
Holy, O Sacrament Divine, All Praise and all thanksgiving be every
moment thine." By the time I finish with these prayers, the Altarserver
has rung the bell three times and people had a chance to adore our
Divine Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. I hope this
helps you.

Sincerely,
Father





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