On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, terrorists highjacked four airplanes and used them as bombs to destroy the World Trade Towers and part of the Pentagon. Truly, this day was “a date which will live in infamy,” to echo the words … Continued
The Catholic Church continues to teach that sexual love between a man and woman is reserved to marriage. We find this teaching in the creation account of Genesis– Book 1, Chapter 1 of Sacred Scripture: First, God creates man in … Continued
The Catechism states, “The efforts of the state to curb the spread of behavior harmful to people’s rights and to the basic rules of civil society correspond to the requirement of safeguarding the common good. Legitimate public authority has the … Continued
“Follow your conscience” is a sound moral precept. However, this phrase must be understood in its proper context. Remember that the conscience is the capacity of the intellect to judge here and now a situation, to apply knowledge of what … Continued
At first hearing, war seems antithetical to Christianity since the Fifth Commandment states, “Thou shalt not kill.” However, the intent of the precept forbids the purposeful taking of human life (Catechism, #2307). Each person has a duty to preserve his … Continued
In addressing this issue, we have to first lay a moral foundation. In the Genesis account of creation, we find the truth that Almighty God created all things out of nothing and what He created was good in His eyes. … Continued
Rather than just approaching this question from the angle of “missing Mass is a sin,” we should first call to mind the importance of the Mass. Each Sunday, we gather together as a Church with hearts filled with joy to … Continued
Children are a gift from God. They are the blessing of the covenant love shared between husband and wife. Each child is an unique, precious individual, a union of body and soul, made in God’s image and likeness. Children are … Continued
The Roman Catholic Church has consistently condemned abortion– the direct and purposeful taking of the life of the unborn child. In principle, Catholic Christians believe that all life is sacred from conception until natural death, and the taking of innocent … Continued
This question regarding the inability of a person to enter into marriage because of the inability to have children has two dimensions: impotence and infertility. Before addressing those issues, let us first recall our belief about marriage as revealed by … Continued
The simple answer to the questions is, “Yes, you were right. A person cannot drive another to an abortion clinic knowing that the mother is going there to have an abortion and that an innocent unborn child is going to … Continued
Before delving into the question of parish registration, we must first be mindful of what a parish is. The word parish itself originates in Judaism and identifies the body of people. “Parish” denoted the Israelites living in exile in Egypt. … Continued
Bishops wear certain regalia which are distinctive of the Order of Bishop, the fullness of the Sacrament of Holy Orders– the pectoral cross, ring, mitre, crozier (staff) and pallium. The regular regalia which identify a bishop are the pectoral cross … Continued
Each Catholic should be able to provide a solid, well-thought answer in response to the question, “Why are you a Catholic?” Granted, for each individual, the answer is very personal and may be somewhat different from another person’s answers. Hopefully, … Continued
On October 11, 1992, Pope John Paul II officially promulgated the Catechism of the Catholic Church with his apostolic constitution Fidei Depositum. The idea of a catechism is not new. About the year 100, the Didache was compiled, which was … Continued
Each of these titles has a certain nuance which distinguishes them from each other. An apostolic constitution represents a very solemn pronouncement issued by the Pope on a doctrinal or disciplinary question. For example, Pope Paul VI’s apostolic constitution Missale … Continued
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is a formal program of catechetical instruction, ascetical practice (prayer and spirituality), and liturgies whereby adults– called catechumens– are formally admitted into the Church and receive the Sacraments of Initiation– Baptism, Confirmation, … Continued
Before delving into the topic of infallibility, we must first be certain as to how we understand truth. As Catholics, we believe in an absolute, immutable truth rooted in God. This truth has been perfectly revealed in Christ, for He … Continued
Excommunication is the Church’s most severe penalty imposed for particularly grave sins. Through baptism, a person is incorporated into the body of the Church through which there is a “communication” of spiritual goods. By committing a particularly grave sin and … Continued
Since the founding of the Catholic Church by our Lord, twenty-one ecumenical councils have been convened, the first being the Council of Nicea (325) and the last being the Vatican Council II (1962-65). The word ecumenical, meaning “universal,” is used … Continued