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"There is not over a hundred people in the United States who hate the Catholic Church. There are millions, however, who hate what they wrongly believe to be the Catholic faith" Bishop Fulton J. Sheen |
"This sacred Synod earnestly exhorts laymen, each according to his natural gifts and learning, to be more diligent in doing their part to explain and defend Christian principles." Vatican II's Decree on the Apostolate of the laity (no. 6) |
MASS The Importance of Mass Christ Himself instituted the Eucharist at the Last Supper "in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until He should come again, and so to entrust to His beloved spouse, the Church, a memorial of His death and resurrection; a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a paschal banquet in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us." (Sacrosanctum Concilium, n. 7, the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy). See also Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:17-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1324) tells us: "The Eucharist is 'the source and summit of the Christian life' (SC47)." It is the "sum and summary of our faith" (CCC 1327). The Mass is a communal prayer. It brings together the entire Body of Christ. Those here on earth and those who have departed and are united with Christ, His Blessed Mother, and all the saints.
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TRUTH & ERROR Truth is truth even if no one believes it and error is error even if everyone believes it.
Bishop Fulton J. Sheen |
Quiz Q1: What is the divorce rate for couples who sleep together before marriage? A1: It is three times as high as couples who do not. Q2: What is the divorce rate for couples using NFP? A2: Less than 2%. Q3: How many Christian denominations until 1930 were against birth control? A3: All of them, the Episcopal church being the first to change position. Q4: Who said contraception is "....a most disgraceful sin. It is far more atrocious than incest and adultery." A4: Martin Luther |
Early Church Fathers on the Eucharist St. Ignatius of Antioch, a disciple and contemporary of the Apostle John, wrote (around AD 110) concerning certain heretics: "They abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer, because they do not confess that the Eucharist is the flesh of our savior Jesus Christ, Flesh which suffered for our sins and which the Father, in His goodness, raised up again." In another letter, St. Ignatius wrote: I desire the Bread of God, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ... and for drink I desire His Blood, which is love incorruptible." St. Justin Martyr wrote in his apology to the emperor at Rome (around AD 150): "We call this food Eucharist; and no one else is permitted to partake of it, except one who believes our teaching to be true.... For not as common bread nor common drink do we receive these; but since Jesus Christ our Savior was made incarnate by the word of God and had both flesh and blood for our salvation, so too, as we have been taught, the food which has been made into the Eucharist by the Eucharistic prayer set down by Him, and by the change of which our blood and flesh is nourished, is both the Flesh and the Blood of that incarnated Jesus." St. Irenaeus, bishop of Lyons and a pupil of St. Polycarp who had been taught by St. John the Apostle, wrote (around AD 195): "He [Jesus] has declared the cup, a part of creation, to be His own Blood, from which He causes our blood to flow; and the bread, a part of creation, He has established as His own Body, from which He gives increase to our bodies." St. Cyril of Jerusalem, in a catechetical lecture given in the middle of the fourth century (AD 350, said: "Do not, therefore, regard the bread and wine as simply that; for they are, according to the Master's declaration, the Body and Blood of Christ. Even though the senses suggest to you the other, let faith make you firm. Do not judge in this matter by taste, but be fully assured by the faith, not doubting that you have been deemed worthy of the Body and Blood of Christ." |
Text Used Unless otherwise noted, all the quoted text in this faith section comes from BEGINNING APOLOGETICS 1 How to Explain and Defend the Catholic Faith authored by Father Frank Chacon and Jim Burnham and published by San Juan Catholic Seminars. They publish a whole series of booklets covering a wide range of topics such as How to Answer Jehovah's Witnesses & Mormons, How to Answer Atheists and New Agers, How to Answer Tough Moral Questions, and How to Explain and Defend Mary. Audio tapes are also available. Booklets and tapes can be ordered by calling toll-free: 1.877.327.5343 or from their web site: www.catholicapologetics.com Booklets can also be obtained from Miracles Books and Gifts in Vero Beach. |
Quiz What is the greatest event on earth? Is it the Super bowl? The World Series? The World Cup Soccer? The Masters? The Indy 500? The Daytona 500? The Le Mans? The Stanley Cup? Your favorite rocker concert? The election of a U.S. President? If you answered any of the above you would be wrong! To know the answer to this question you have to know why you are on earth. Do you know why? It is to know, love and serve God in this world in order to be happy with Him in the next. There can be nothing more important than this. Your eternal destination is at stake. ANSWER The greatest event on earth is the Mass! This event takes place every minute of every day year round around the world. The God/Man, Jesus Christ, who we are to love and serve is present body, blood, soul, and divinity at every Mass. Christ said so when He instituted the Eucharist at the Last Supper. The Paschal Mystery, His life, death and resurrection, is re-presented to us at every Mass. This is the most awesome event! And we get to consume His intense love for us, manifest in His body and blood. No where can we get to know and love Him in a more close personal way than at Mass. The most abundant grace flows forth to us from this event, grace to help us work out our salvation. Can there be anything more important than this? |
Quiz Q1: What is the divorce rate for couples who sleep together before marriage? A1: It is three times as high as couples who do not. Q2: What is the divorce rate for couples using NFP? A2: Less than 2%. Q3: How many Christian denominations until 1930 were against birth control? A3: All of them, the Episcopal church being the first to change position. Q4: Who said contraception is "....a most disgraceful sin. It is far more atrocious than incest and adultery." A4: Martin Luther |
NOT NEGOTIABLE "Worship pleasing to God can never be a purely private matter, without consequences for our relationships with others: it demands a public witness to our faith. Evidently, this is true for all the baptized, yet it is especially incumbent upon those who, by virtue of their social or political position, must make decisions regarding fundamental values, such as respect for human life, its defense from conception to natural death, the family built upon marriage between a man and a woman, the freedom to educate ones children and the promotion of the common good in all its forms. These values are not negotiable. Consequently, Catholic politicians and legislators, conscious of their grave responsibility before society, must feel particularly bound, on the basis of a properly formed conscience, to introduce and support laws inspired by values grounded in human nature." Pope Benedict XVI writing in his Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation on the Eucharist, Sacramentum Caritatis
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Text Used Unless otherwise noted, all the quoted text in this faith section comes from BEGINNING APOLOGETICS 5- How to Answer Tough Moral Questions authored by Father Frank Chacon and Jim Burnham and published by San Juan Catholic Seminars. They publish a whole series of booklets covering a wide range of topics such as How to Answer Jehovah's Witnesses & Mormons, How to Answer Atheists and New Agers, and How to Explain and Defend Mary. Audio tapes are also available. Booklets and tapes can be ordered by calling toll-free: 1.877.327.5343 or from their web site: www.catholicapologetics.com Booklets can also be obtained from Miracles Books and Gifts in Vero Beach. |
Our Catholic Teaching on Faith Issues, Cont'd.
Other Counter-Reformation Issues
Questions and Answers About Specific Moral Issues of Our Day
Key Introductions to Moral Issue Discussion:
When describing what the Church teaches about morality, we tend to begin by outlining the major rules or prohibitions that God has made known to his people. A listing of the Ten Commandments is often used in this way. However, this approach is perhaps not the best way to introduce modern man to the Church’s moral doctrine, for what he is likely to hear is merely a listing of “thou shalt not's” that sound like so many ways to limit freedom and impede happiness.
We need instead to start at the other end. That is, we must first convince our listeners of God’s perfect love for them and his desire for their greatest happiness. Sometimes we imagine that God is some arbitrary rule-maker who enjoys bullying us into doing his will. While human beings will often act this way, God has no need of such games. That is not his nature at all. He created us entirely out of love, and whatever he asks of us, his intention is always our greatest happiness.
This is especially true in the moral doctrine that God has given us through his Church. Rather than restricting our freedom and happiness, Christian moral truth is a gift from God that guides us in living lives of true freedom and authentic happiness. When we break God’s moral law, we are the ones who suffer.
Keep in mind, therefore, as you think about the moral doctrine outlined in this section, that God loves us infinitely and gives us his moral law so that we might flourish in this life as well as the next. As Jesus taught us, our Father in Heaven knows how to give good gifts to his children (cf. Matthew 7:9-11). The moral teaching of the Church is one of God’s best gifts to us, for through it he seeks to form us more nearly in his image so that we will attain the glorious end he has waiting for us.1
The Theory of Natural Law and True Human Goods
Human beings are creatures of God with a definite nature. Precisely because of the kind of creature we are, and because of our particular nature, we are perfected by certain objects or activities and diminished by others. There is an observable, rational order called for by the Creator through his design. God who designed our human nature also created certain good things which are designed to enrich us more fully, to bring us to our highest level of human fulfillment. These goods can be called the “true human goods” of God’s design: life and health, knowledge of truth and aesthetic experience, skillful performance or play, self-integration, friendship, wholesome society, practical reasonableness, religion, and the human community of love found through family and marriage.
On the other hand, there are numerous counterfeit human goods -- ideas, activities, entertainments, pleasures -- which promise fulfillment, but cannot truly produce it. What they do produce is brokenness, emptiness, addiction, perversion, dishonesty, and immorality. Therefore, we must strive to clarify that God wills only what is truly good for his human children, while the Evil One takes our God-given freedom (a good) and entices us into ways of thinking and acting which can pervert that freedom to work against us.2
Questions and Answers About Our Parish
How can I get involved in the parish?
Go to the Parish Ministries page and review all the descriptions of the ministries posted and note two or three that catch your interest. Then call the contact person for each ministry to help you decide. You could also just go to the front page of the Bulletin and call the leader of the ministry you think you might like. Volunteering is a great way to meet people and serve our Lord and parish at the same time.
Contact the Rectory to provide them with the name of the person for whom the Mass will be said and to get a date for the Mass. If you desire a Mass card, you will need to go to the rectory to pick one up. The honorarium for having a Mass said is $10.00.
How can one rent the Parish Center?
Call the Center Coordinator, Bill Valyo at 770-0598.
How do I register to become a member of the parish?
The easiest way is to visit the religious articles shop in the Lobby of the church and request a registration slip from the volunteer attendant. It is usually staffed before and after weekend Masses and at periodic daily Masses, especially during the seasonal months. The form has a provision for requesting parish envelopes which will be mailed to you upon receipt at the Rectory. Fill out the form and either give it to the attendant or place it in the collection basket. Parish registration is necessary for receiving parish services.
What grade is First Communion?
Seven years of age is usually a minimum. The communicant must have completed a catechetical program through Religious education. For further information, contact our Director of Religious Education.
Each diocese sets the relative periods for administering the Sacrament of Confirmation and it can be situation dependent. It is best that you discuss this with Fr. Pasquini or the Director of Religious Education.
Do I need a Confirmation Name?
It is suggested that be part of your plan. Usually faithful Catholics choose the name of a saint they particularly identify with so that they can petition that saint to pray for them as part of their daily prayer time. Please discuss this with the Director of Religious Education.
What are the Confirmation sponsor guidelines?
A sponsor must be a practicing Catholic. For further assistance, please contact the Director of Religious Education.
What are the marriage guidelines?
Those contemplating marriage should first call the rectory and request to speak with our pastor. He may request to meet with you. He will then refer you to the Director of Religious Education for scheduling marriage preparation classes. Usually the couple, their parents or guardian or grandparent(s) should be members of the parish.
How do I arrange for a funeral Mass?
Usually the funeral home likes to make the arrangements with the rectory so that schedules can be coordinated. Contact the rectory directly to speak with a priest, especially if you are desirous of family participation in the readings at Mass, selecting readings form an approved list, presentation of the gifts, selecting music, etc.
Contact Jack Galvin at 778-8291 for music arrangements and fees payable for an organist and cantor if desired. Only approved religious music is permitted during a Funeral Mass.
We strongly suggest that you visit the Education page of this web site to get the latest information from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) regarding cremation.
Please note that any planned eulogies by family members are to be done after and separate from the Funeral Mass. Comments are to be in good taste. Remember, Jesus is there in the tabernacle.
How do I register for Religious Education?
Contact the Director of Religious Education for catechetical program information, dates and times. See parish bulletin for name and number to call.
How do I get our son involved with the Boy Scouts?
Contact Dave Smith at 778-0242 or via e-mail him at: DCSVB@bellsouth.net The troop meets on Tuesday nights from 7 - 8:30 p.m. at the Crowley Center.
Where can I check schedules for lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, etc.?
These schedules are posted in the room at the end of the sacristy hallway directly off the lobby of the church.
Questions and answers about Catholic teaching on faith issues:
I believe in God. Why do I need a church or organized religion in general?
This is a growing trend given the misguided advance of relativism and humanism in our culture. Nevertheless, we suggest this is the wrong question. Instead of asking "Why do I need a church," the important question is rather,"Why do I need the Church?" The Catechism of the Catholic Church (para. 846) answers this forcefully:3
"Basing itself on Scripture and Tradition, the Council teaches that the Church, a pilgrim now on earth, is necessary for salvation: the one Christ is the mediator and the way of salvation; he is present to us in his body which is the Church. He himself explicitly asserted the necessity of faith and Baptism, and thereby affirmed at the same time the necessity of the Church which men enter through Baptism as through a door. Hence they could not be saved who, knowing that the Catholic Church was founded as necessary by God through Christ, would refuse either to enter it or to remain in it."
Why do Catholics believe that their Church is the one, true Church?
Catholics believe that theirs is the one true Church of Jesus Christ because theirs is the only Christian Church that goes back in history to its founder, Jesus Christ. The only Christian Church in existence, post resurrection of Christ, was referred to as the Catholic Church as early as the year AD 100. All the other Christian churches were founded by mere mortals. For a partial list of these churches and their birth dates, please visit our Exploring the Church page.4
Didn't the Catholic Church become pagan after Constantine became emperor?
"Constantine's Christian mother, St. Helena, raised him with Christian beliefs (although he delayed baptism until his deathbed). He defeated the pagan general Maxentius under the standard of the Christian cross in AD 312. The next year Constantine signed the Edict of Milan which officially ended the Roman persecution of the Church. It is absurd to think he attempted to paganize the Church. In AD 361, the emperor Julian the Apostate launched a persecution of the Church in an attempt to bring back paganism. This would not have been necessary if the Church had become pagan at the time of Constantine (AD 312-337). A careful study of the first 300 years of Christianity reveals that the Catholic doctrines such as the Eucharist, Apostolic authority, and the Pope as the successor of St. Peter, were believed by Christians from the very beginning. They certainly did not arise after Constantine."25
From where does the Church get the right to make laws?
Jesus Christ, the Founder of the Catholic Church, gave the right and duty to make laws to His Church (Matthew 16:19 and Matthew 18:18). The Church uses her power to "bind and loose" to legislate for her children. Some Church laws simply make clear and more specific those laws which are made directly by God Himself. Other Church laws are for the purpose of good order and for the protection of the Church and her children. The Church has no power to change, alter, or dispense anyone from God's laws. However, she can change, alter, or dispense from her own legislation in case of necessity or usefulness.5
What are the marks of the Church?
There are four marks which distinguish the Catholic Church: one, holy, catholic and apostolic. There are three attributes of the Church: authority, indefectibility, and infallibility.6
Why should I go to Mass every week?
The heart of our faith is a relationship of love with Jesus Christ. Going to Mass regularly is an expression of our love for Jesus, who gives to us 24/7. This love means we want to be nourished by his body and blood in the Eucharist which helps us keep His commandments. Although Saturday is the Sabbath for the Jews, the early Christians changed it to Sunday to commemorate Jesus' rising from the dead on Sunday.7
Why do Catholics believe Holy Communion is the actual body and blood of Jesus Christ? Why don't they believe that Christ is only present symbolically?
Yes, "Catholics believe that the Eucharist is the literal body and blood of Christ." Lets "begin by reading Jn 4:31-34 and Mt 16:5-12, which describes Jesus speaking about food in a symbolic or figurative way. The disciples interpret Him to mean real food. Note how Jesus shows them in plain, unmistakable language that he is only speaking figuratively."
"Contrast this with Jn 6:51. Jesus says that we must eat His flesh in order to have life. In Jn 6:52, the Jews interpret Him literally. Jesus then repeats again and again (verses 53-56)--in the clearest possible language--that we must eat His flesh and drink His blood in order to have eternal life. Take special note of verse 55: 'For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed'--this is not the language of symbolism."8 Before continuing, let's pause for a meditation on this important point which follows.
Meditation What Will Living in the New Jerusalem Be Like? April 26, 2007 Thursday of the Third Week of Easter John 6: 44-51 Introductory Prayer: Holy Spirit, help me make every effort to do this prayer well, so that I catch everything you want to tell me. Help me to realize that effort in prayer is never wasted and is the surest sign that I am doing my prayer well. Petition: Lord, give me the faith to accept everything you teach through your Church, even those things I don’t understand. 1. Jesus Tries to Lead the Crowd to Faith. Jesus is preparing the crowd for a bombshell. He is about to reveal his teaching on the Eucharist, and he knows it will be a challenge for them to accept it. So, he prepares them by inciting them to have faith. He first tells them that they can only be his followers, only accept him as the Messiah, if they are “drawn” by God the Father. It is like what happened to Simon Peter when he professed to Jesus, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." (Matthew 16:16). Jesus replied that Peter knew this because of the grace of faith given by God the Father. Faith is a gift from God. We cannot get it on our own by “trying hard” to believe. We need to ask God for it. Only those who receive the gift of faith from the Father will be able to handle what Jesus is about to say about the Eucharist. Have I received the gift of faith from the Father, being able to accept all that his Church teaches even though I don’t necessarily understand why it teaches the things it does? If I don’t have it, will I pray humbly for it? 2. Jesus Is Revealing the Blessings of the New Jerusalem. Jesus goes on to say, “They shall all be taught by God.” This is a paraphrase of Isaiah, “All your sons shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.” (Isaiah 54:13). Remember that when Jesus quotes a verse, we have to look at the entire passage, not just the verse in isolation. This verse refers to those who will live in the New Jerusalem, a symbol of the Church. The passage immediately follows the final passage of the Suffering Servant in Isaiah, a group of four prophecies saying the Messiah will have to suffer. Jesus seems to be saying that while many of his contemporaries will not be able to accept what he is about to say, it will be commonly accepted when the Church is established – after his suffering and death. It is his Passion that will release all the graces promised for those who belong to the New Jerusalem. He wants the people who are listening to remember, even if they cannot accept his teaching now. They will accept it in the future, as members of the Church. Do I realize that I am living in this promised New Jerusalem longed for by the Prophets? Do I take advantage of all the supernatural gifts of grace offered by the Father? Do I let myself be taught by God, or do I look on the Church as just another group of human beings, instead of the divinely instituted place for receiving all the blessings promised by God in the Bible? 3. For the First Time Ever, Jesus Reveals the Teaching about the Eucharist. Finally Jesus makes his announcement. He reveals the teaching about the sacrament of the Eucharist for the first time in history. He has done his best to prepare the crowds. He has told them that they will only be able to accept it if the Father gives them the grace to accept it. He makes it clear that this is one of the things that the citizens of the New Jerusalem will believe and cherish. They must have been anxious and excited to hear what he was about to say. Finally he tells them. There will be a new kind of bread, prefigured by the manna in the desert, but this bread will give eternal life and he, Jesus, will be this bread. His flesh will give life to the world. How will they respond to this teaching? It will be difficult to accept, but Jesus has warned them that even if they don’t understand, to suspend judgment, to have patience, because they need to be granted faith by God the Father in order to understand. Jesus looks at them anxiously. Will they open their hearts to this all-important teaching, so necessary for their salvation or will they reject it, in spite of all the preparation he has given them? Do I suspend judgment on the Church’s teachings I don’t understand, waiting and asking for faith; or do I foolishly reject what I don’t understand, thinking that just because I don’t understand it, it cannot be true? Conversation with Christ: Dear Jesus, sometimes faith is so difficult for me. I tend to pass everything through the test of my understanding and reject what I don’t understand. It causes me to live in great poverty of spirit, lacking so many of the spiritual riches you want me to have, but which I can only have through the virtue of faith. Please ask your Father to grant me that faith, to draw me to you, so that I can live my life enriched by all the gifts you want to give me through your Church, the New Jerusalem. Resolution: I will exercise my faith by reading some writing of the Holy Father today (perhaps Sacramentum Caritatis, on the Eucharist, online at the Vatican web site, www.vatican.va). |
But in John 6:35 Jesus says, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst." When Jesus calls Himself the "bread of life," isn't He simply saying that if we believe in Him, He will nourish us spiritually, just as bread nourishes us physically? Therefore, we "eat" and "drink" Jesus, our spiritual food, by coming to and believing in Him.
No. We must read the rest of this Eucharistic discourse, especially verses 48-58, where Jesus tells us exactly what he means by calling Himself "bread." The bread Jesus is speaking of is not merely a symbol for spiritual nourishment. Jesus tells us plainly that the bread is His own flesh (verse 51), which we must eat to have eternal life. When Jesus explains that the bread of life is literally His flesh, we must accept His clear words.9 Again, before continuing, let's pause for a relative meditation which follows.
Meditation
Seeking to Have Your Heart Filled April 27, 2007 John 6: 52-59
Petition: Lord, when I encounter difficulties or weaknesses in my faith, help me to never give up, but continue to follow you in faith. 1. The Jews Look for Understanding. The Jews have reached a sticking point. They have followed Jesus up to this point because on the preceding day he multiplied loaves and fishes to feed the multitude. They realize there is something special here, that Jesus may be the Messiah, or at least, a prophet. They are curious enough to continue following him and ask him questions. They have liked everything he has said up till now. Some of it they have not understood completely or correctly, but it has been close enough to what they are used to hearing that it causes them no great difficulty. They continue to ask questions, looking for understanding, especially an understanding they can be comfortable with. 2. Jesus Only Offers Them Mystery. Now Jesus has said something truly shocking. He wants them to eat his flesh and drink his blood! He wants to shock them. He wants to get something from them deeper than what they have offered him until now. Up to this point, most of the crowd has been willing to accept him as a bread-provider. He fed them yesterday; maybe if they hang around long enough, he will do it again. Their ideas about the Messiah are too materialistic, based only on the re-establishment of David’s Kingdom at the expense of the Romans. Jesus wants to take them to a new level. He wants to take them into the mystery of the loving generosity of God. As good as the manna in the wilderness was, he wants to give something much better. As wonderful as David’s Kingdom was, he wants to give a greater kingdom. It is so far beyond what they are looking for that they will not be able to understand what he is offering. It will have to be accepted in faith. 3. The Greatest Gifts Have to Be Received in Faith. We can understand many things, even many spiritual things. In his goodness, God has given us intelligence so that we can understand some of the truths about him. But these are the simpler truths, that don’t reveal the full glory of God. They are not as fulfilling as some of the more important truths about him. Jesus wants to give us his flesh to eat and his blood to drink. He reveals it to the crowds and they don’t understand since they have no faith. Some straggle off to find another “wonder-worker”. Others, looking for understanding, straggle off to look for a “teacher” who makes sense to them. But hopefully some are looking for the revelation of the mysteries of God, the greatest gifts that God can offer. They are not looking to fill their stomachs or their minds. They are looking to fill their hearts. These are the kinds of gifts that Jesus intends to give and in abundance. Conversation with Christ: Dear Lord, so often I am looking for material gifts from you. Other times I want your mysteries to make sense to me. Help me to realize that the greatest gifts you give may be beyond my understanding, yet if I am willing to accept them on faith, they will fill my heart. Perhaps with time, it will be possible to understand something of it as well, but greatness of faith lies in my trusting in you.. Resolution: What is the spiritual gift I am most in need of? Faith? Charity? Humility? Something else? I will set aside some time today to ask God in prayer to grant me that gift. |
In John 6: 60-70, doesn't Jesus explain that He was only speaking symbolically in the previous verses? Isn't this apparent in verse 63, "It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life."
No, because the discourse changes.
Now read Mk14:22-24, Mt 26:26-28, Lk 22:17-20, Lk 24:30-35, 1Cor 10:14-17, and 1 Cor 11:23-29. Note the strong language of St. Paul in 1 Cor 11:27, "Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord."10 Let's pause and read the last meditation for even more insight.
Christian Faith Is About Conviction, Not Understanding April 28, 2007 Saturday of the Third Week of Easter John 6: 60-69 Introductory Prayer: Holy Spirit, help me to apply myself in prayer so that I receive all the graces you want to give me. Help me to go deep spiritually into this meditation and grant me to faith to accept all you teach me. Petition: Lord, grant me the faith that will open your mysteries to me. 1. Reason Falls by the Wayside When it Comes to the Eucharist John tells us that Jesus knows what is going on in the hearts of the disciples. He says that Jesus knew “from the beginning” who would not believe. The beginning of their disbelief was when he spoke of the need to eat his body and drink his blood. For many of them it was the first time they had a problem with accepting anything Jesus said. Until now, so much of what he said was so helpful and so easy to understand that they accepted it willingly. For so long, they ”understood” what Jesus told them, but understanding will not help them here. Here they need faith and they don’t have it. They leave. 2. Christian Faith Comes from God Alone Jesus goes further and says that faith is only granted by the Father. That’s something we need to hear. Too often, we think we can make things work on our own. We trust in ourselves too much. Finally we come to a point in our lives like the one the disciples reach today. It is beyond our capabilities to continue to advance by relying simply on our own talents and abilities. There is nothing we can do in the order of grace if we don’t rely on God. Only God can give us faith. Faith doesn't’t come from me. It comes from God alone. If we don’t want to end up like the disciples in today’s Gospel, we need to stop relying on ourselves and rely on God and his grace. 3. The Fall of Judas Why does John mention the betrayal of Judas in the same sentence as he mentions the disbelief of the disciples? It can only be because the two have the same cause. Those who leave Jesus couldn’t accept the “Bread of Life Discourse” because they insisted on trying to understand something that they didn’t have the tools to understand. Judas later betrays Jesus because he too cannot accept the “Bread of Life Discourse.” He probably is not thinking betrayal from the first moment of his problem, but because he insisted on understanding and didn’t get it, he came to believe that Jesus was a false Messiah. If Judas believed Jesus was a false Messiah, then he should leave the group and do something he could believe in. That is what Jesus suggests when he asks the Apostles, “Do you want to leave too?” But Judas does nothing. He remains with the group, yet convinced that Jesus cannot be the Messiah if he talks like that. In failing to leave the group, he becomes a hypocrite and undertakes the road that will lead to his failure. Let us ask the Lord to save us from hypocrisy by opening ourselves to faith. Conversation with Christ: Dear Lord, so often I approach you in a non-spiritual way, insisting on understanding immediately all that you tell me. Help me to be patient. Help me to be humble. I know that a human being cannot possibly understand everything about you, nor all the wonders and mysteries you have planned for us. Grant me, I beg you, the necessary faith to accept all you teach me, with simplicity and coherence. Resolution: I will examine my conscience to discover if there are any areas of the Church’s teaching which I have resisted accepting in faith. I will plan to take that to confession. Even if I have no doubts or difficulties, I will try to go to confession anyway since frequent confession is a good practice that aids my faith. |
The Bible
Why do Catholic and Protestant Bibles have a different number of books in the OT?
"The Protestant OT is based on the Hebrew canon used by Hebrew-speaking Jews in Palestine. The Catholic OT is based on the Greek canon used by Greek-speaking Jews throughout the Mediterranean, including Palestine."
"The city of Alexandria in Egypt possessed the greatest library in the ancient world and during the reign of Ptolemy II Philadelphia (285--246 BC), a translation of the entire Hebrew Bible into Greek was begun by 70 or 72 Jewish scholars--according to tradition--six from each of the twelve tribes. From this Alexandrian translation (completed between 250--125 BC) we get the term "Septuagint," Latin for 70 (LXX). the number of translators."
"This Greek translation of the OT was very popular because Greek was the common language of the entire Mediterranean world by the time of Christ. Hebrew was a dying language (Jews in Palestine usually spoke Aramaic), and so it is not surprising that the Septuagint was the translation used by Jesus and the New Testament writers. The great majority of the OT quotations found in the NT are from the Septuagint."
"Since the Christian Church has used the Septuagint from the beginning, it simply ignored the decisions of later rabbinic Judaism [which rejected seven books from the Hebrew canon found in the Septuagint--Wisdom, Sirach, Judith, Baruch, Tobit, and 1 and 2 Maccabees] and continued to use the Septuagint." "For sixteen centuries the Christian OT was a matter of uncontested faith. Each of the seven rejected books is quoted by early Church Fathers as 'Scripture' or as 'inspired,' right along with the undisputed books."
"In 1529, Martin Luther proposed to adopt the 39-book canon used by rabbinic Judaism as the OT canon." "The principal reason Luther seems to have opposed the additional books of the Christian OT is that they taught doctrines he did not like, such as praying for the dead (2 Maccabees 12:42-45).
"But here is the real question: Which OT would [one] rather use--the OT used by Jesus, the NT writers and the early Church, or the OT used by later Jews who had rejected Christ and persecuted Christianity?"11
Why doesn't the Catholic Church rely only on the Bible alone in matters of faith?
"Christ left a Church to teach, govern, and sanctify in His name until the end of time. To reject that authority is to reject Christ and His Gospel. We Catholics accept the Bible as an authority in matters of faith because it is God's inspired Word. However, we cannot accept it as the only rule of faith for the following reasons."
"It goes against the BIBLE. Scripture tells us that Christ left a Church with divine authority to govern in His name (Mt 16:13-20, 18:18; Lk 10:16). Christ promised that this Church would last until the end of time (Mt 16:18, 28:19-20; Jn 14:16). The Bible also tells us that Sacred Tradition is to be followed alongside Sacred Scripture (2 Thess 2:15, 3:6)."
"The doctrine of Sola Scriptura is not found in Scripture. In fact, the Bible tells us we need more than the Bible alone. The Bible confirms that not everything Jesus said and did is recorded in Scripture (John 21:25 and that we must also hold fast to oral tradition, the preached word of God (1 Cor 11:2; 1 Pet 1:25). In 2 Pet3:15-16, we are warned that Sacred Scripture can be very difficult to interpret, which strongly implies the need for an authoritative interpreter. Finally, 1 Tim 3:15 reassures us that the Church is 'the pillar and bulwark of the truth.'"
"It goes against HISTORY. The history of the Bible attests that it was the Church exercising its apostolic authority that determined what is and is not Scripture. We need the authority of the Church to tell us what belongs in the Bible (1 Tim 3:15)."
"It goes against COMMON SENSE. Any written document meant to play a crucial role in determining how people live must have a living, continuing authority to guard, guarantee, and officially interpret it. Otherwise, chaos reigns as everyone interprets the document according to his personal whim." "In summary, the splintering of Christianity into over 33,000 denominations is the direct fruit of the Bible-alone doctrine. This idea does not come from God and was unheard of for 1500 years before the Reformation.12
Why doesn't the Catholic Church have Bibles in the pews for people to use during a service?
Sometimes the implication from this question is that the Catholic Church is not biblical and nothing can be further from the truth. The world owes the Catholic Church a debt of gratitude because it alone defined the canon of the Bible used by Christians. The Bible itself is a book. The Word proclaimed from it is God and, of course, sacred and infallible. Catholics refer to their "service" as the Mass. The Mass has two parts: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist (the Word made Flesh). In the Liturgy of the Word for weekend Masses, a lector first reads (proclaims) the Word from the Old Testament. This is followed by a Responsorial Psalm sung by a cantor. Then the lector reads a selection from the New Testament. This is followed by the priest reading from a Gospel. The Catholic Church sets all the readings for each day in advance and in accordance with the liturgical year and the selected readings have relevancy to each other: OT, NT, Gospel. As such, if one attended Mass every day for three years, they would have heard the Word proclaimed from the entire Bible, including the Psalms. So, there really is no need to have Bibles in every pew of a Catholic Church. For those who need to follow along as the Word is proclaimed during the liturgy, in most churches there is a missalette in the pews organized by date for people to use thus making it easier than using a Bible. Can you get more biblical than this?
My Protestant friend says that I must "accept Jesus as my personal savior." Where is that in the Bible?
The term and expression "personal Savior" cannot be found in the Bible nor in any legitimate Christian Tradition. Implicit in your friend's terminology are the heresies of Gnosticism, Pelagianism, and Fideism. It is ironic that Protestant groups, which claim to be based on the Bible alone, would insist on a practice and on words not found there. It might be possible, with many qualifications and explanations, to give a Catholic and orthodox view of the expression. However, this would require an accompanying statement expressing the necessity of the Church for salvation. Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church about these matters, especially numbers 748 through 913.13
Why do Catholics believe the Pope is infallible?
First, a point of clarification. "Infallible" means incapable of teaching error in matters of faith and morals. It does not mean incapable of committing sin."
Papal authority is clearly supported by Scripture, history, and reason.
Scripture: "In the OT, when God established His Covenant with the nation of Israel, He provided for a living, continuing authority in the Mosaic priesthood (see 2 Chr 19:11; Mal 2:7.) This authority dod not end when the OT Scripture was written; rather, it continued as the safeguard and authentic interpreter of Sacred Scripture."
"When Christ established His Church, the New Israel, He set up a living, continuing authority to teach, govern, and sanctify in His name. This living authority is called "Apostolic" because it began with the twelve Apostles and continued with their successors....Among the twelve Apostles, St. Peter is clearly the head." Read Matthew 16:13-19.
"Jesus changes Simon's name to Peter, which means 'rock.' Our Lord says this rock will be God's way of preserving the Church from corruption until the end of time. Our Lord knew St. Peter would be dead by AD 70. Therefore Christ must have intended the office of Peter to last until the end of time. St. Peter is given the 'keys to the kingdom of heaven.' This is an awesome gift. To nobody else does Christ give this ruling power."
"Although all the Apostles as a group were given the power 'to bind and to lose' in Mt 18:18, St. Peter received this power individually at the time he was given the 'keys.' Jesus would not have guaranteed to back up the doctrinal teachings of St. Peter and his successors unless He was also going to protect them from teaching false doctrine in their official capacities as Shepherds of the Church."
History:
"... The early Church always accepted the Bishop of Rome as head of the Church. Around AD 80, the Church at Corinth deposed its lawful leaders. The fourth bishop of Rome, Pope Clement 1, was called to settle the matter even though St. John the Apostle was still alive and much closer to Corinth than was Rome."
"St. Irenaeus, who was taught by St. Polycarp (a disciple of St. John the Apostle), stresses that Christians must be united to the Church of Rome in order to maintain the Apostolic Tradition. He then lists all the bishops of Rome up to his time. St Irenaeus presents this teaching as something taken for granted by orthodox Christians."
Reason:
"Suppose the owner of a company had called all the employees together and announced he was going to be gone for awhile. During his absence, he was going to give the keys of the company to his vice-president, John Doe, and that whatever John Doe commanded would be backed by him. Would you have any doubt that John Doe was going to be in charge of the company while the boss was away?"14 Isn't this what is described in Mt 16:13-19?
Why do Catholics adore Mary, who was just a human being?
Catholics do not adore Mary. We honor her. Adoration is for God alone. Remember, "God honored her above all creatures by making her the mother of His Son. In honoring Mary, the Catholic Church is following the example of God Himself; Mary's special privileges were given to her by God, not men."
In Luke 1:26-56, "note how the Archangel Gabriel shows Mary great honor in his greeting. See how Elizabeth, 'filled with the Holy Spirit,' calls Mary blessed twice in just four short verses. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth gives Our Lady great honor with the words, 'And why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me."
In verse 48, Our Lady prophesies that all generations will call her blessed."15 Are not Catholics being biblical here by calling her blessed?
Why do Catholics call Mary the Mother of God? How can Mary, a creature, be the Mother of God the creator?
All Christians "believe that although Jesus has two natures (one divine and one human), He is one Divine person. Since this one person was born of Mary, she truly is the Mother of the one Divine Person: in short, the Mother of God.
"If a person denies that Mary is the Mother of God, whether he realizes it or not he is denying the incarnation. He is saying either that Jesus is not God, or that Jesus is two persons--one human and one divine. When the eternal Son of God became man, He assumed a human nature, which made it possible for Him to be born of a woman just as we are."16
See Luke 1:43, Mt 1:23, Luke 1:35, and Gal 4:4 for biblical support of this doctrine.
Did you know that all three great pillars of the Reformation--Luther, Calvin, and Zwingli--all accepted this doctrine. Quotations of what they said and the sources are available upon request through the Question Box.
How does the Catholic Church claim Mary was assumed into heaven, that she was Immaculately Conceived and that she was a perpetual virgin?
Biblical passages in support of these are not explicit. These Catholic Marian doctrines and devotions are implicitly taught through typology. For the purpose of this discussion we have to rely on Apostolic Tradition and the teaching authority of the Church. If interested in the teaching through typology, use the Question box.
"Assumption. The doctrine doesn't specify if Mary died; it merely states that after the completion of her life, she was taken body and soul into heaven. Note that Elijah and Enoch were assumed into heaven, just as the righteous will be at the end of time (see Gn 5:24; 2 Kg 2:11; 1Thes 4:17; Heb 11:5). Why is it hard to believe that God gave His mother this privilege? No city ever claimed her body. There is no record of her relics or remains anywhere."
"Immaculate Conception. The doctrine doesn't say that Mary didn't need a savior. Like all the OT saints, Mary was saved through the anticipated merits of Jesus. Mary's salvation was simply more perfect. By God's grace, she was preserved from sin at her conception. In contrast, we are cleansed from sin after our birth." Jesus is the savior in both cases.
"Perpetual Virginity. Mary's perpetual virginity was not challenged in the early Church until the time of St. Jerome (around AD 400). This doctrine was not rejected by the founders of Protestantism. Note that 'brother' in the bible can also mean 'relatives.' If Jesus had blood brothers, He would not have entrusted Mary to John, but to one of them. Two so-called 'brothers' of Jesus (Mt 13:55)--James and Joseph--are identified as sons of another Mary, the wife of Clopas (compare Mt 27:56 and Jn 19:5)."17
The above are the short answers. If you want more, use the question box.
When the Bible says that Mary brought forth her first-born son, doesn't that mean that later she had other children too?
No, the term "firstborn" is a specialized legal term in Jewish liturgical law. It does not imply that there were other children. Recently, a significant number of tombstones from interestrumental times have been uncovered which tell of women who died in childbirth giving birth to their "firstborn" sons. They obviously had no other children.18
Are Catholics free not to believe in the immaculate conception of Mary or her bodily assumption into heaven?
If a Catholic were to doubt or deny either of these two dogmas of the Catholic faith, he or she would therefore defect from the faith and commit the mortal sin of heresy.19
Celibacy is viewed as a better example and model of Jesus' priesthood. Catholic priests are married to the church and its people. If they are married, they cannot give 100% of their attention to the church. Without these obligations, they are free to relocate as the church needs them, be more objective in counseling (eg, their own married problems will not be projected), require (and receive) only minimal salaries and they are examples of sacrifice and self-control. The Catholic Church teaches the requirement of celibacy is a discipline, not a doctrine. Certain exceptions are allowed. Their celibacy is a gift to us!20
Why is ordination to the priesthood reserved only to men?
The church's teaching that only men can be ordained to the ministerial priesthood arises from identity to the example of the Lord as witnessed by the New Testament and to the constant tradition of the Eastern and Western churches. The church considers this constant and universal tradition to be in accordance with God's plan and to constitute a permanent norm. Jesus chose only men as members of the twelve. This example was followed in the apostolic community; and by means of a Tradition of practice, the church acquired a certainty about this norm. The issue of the possibility of ordaining women was first raised in the second century and has been raised and addressed by theologians down to the present day.21
Were there any women priests in the Old Testament?
There were many heroic, great and saintly women in the Old Testament, such as Ruth, Judith, Esther, Rebecca, Rachel, Miraim, etc. However, none of them were priests. In the Old Testament as in the New, God chose only men to be priests. Various pagan and false religions, of course, have had and continue to have priestesses. But, the true religion does not. This arrangement of God does not mean that women are in nay way inferior to men. It means, however, in certain matters and circumstances the sexes are not interchangeable.22
Do the Eastern Orthodox admit women to Holy Orders?
The Eastern Orthodox, like the Catholic Church, do not ordain women. Catholics and Eastern Orthodox constitute three-fourths of all the Christians on earth. In the Old Testament, the true religion (the Jewish Religion) had an all-male priesthood as well. To know more about this issue, I suggest you read the Apostolic Letter of Pope John Paul II, "Ordinatio Sacerdotalis," the document for the Congregation for the Faith "Inter Insigniores," and such books as Manfred Hauke's "Women in the Priesthood?" published by Ignatius.23
How is a Catholic priest different than a minister (or priest) in Protestant faiths?24
Why do Catholics confess their sins to priests and not God?
"Catholics always confess their sins to God. They do it directly as well as through His ministers because that is what God requires, as clearly taught in Scripture."
Read Jn 20:19-23. "When Jesus bestowed on His disciples the power to forgive sins, He did it on Easter Sunday. This is significant because of the connection of the Resurrection with spiritual life. Notice that He conferred the power by breathing on the Apostles. The only other time that God breathed on anyone was when he breathed life into the first human being (Gn 2:7). Think about these powerful symbols and how they signify an awesome life-giving power given to the disciples. Notice that Jesus gives the disciples the authority to forgive, and not to forgive. This means a priest has to hear the sins in order to know whether to forgive them or hold them bound."
In 2 Cor 5:17-20, St. Paul explains how the Apostles are ambassadors of Christ's work of reconciliation. What does this mean but that they share in the ministry of Christ and forgive sins in His name?" In James 5:13-16, James makes clear that the sins of the sick are forgiven in this sacrament of anointing. He specifies that the presbyters (priests) must be called. They obviously had a power the ordinary Christian did not: the power to forgive sins. Otherwise, why didn't James simply ask ordinary, fellow Christians to pray over the sick as is the case in numerous other passages?"26
Why do Catholics call their priests "Father" when Jesus commands us in Matthew 23:9 to "call no man your father on Earth?
"In Matthew 23:1-12, when Jesus tells us to call no man 'father' or 'teacher,' He is using figurative language to emphasize that all legitimate authority and truth ultimately come from God. We cannot take these passages literally. Otherwise, Jesus would be contradicting Himself for repeating the 4th commandment, 'honor your father and mother' (Mt 19:19), and referring to 'Father Abraham' (Luke 16:24)."
"Throughout the Bible men are called fathers and teachers. Both Catholics and Protestants call earthly men fathers and teachers. St. Stephen and St. Paul call the Jewish religious leaders 'fathers' (Acts 7:2 and 22:1). St Paul calls the Corinthians 'my beloved children.... For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the Gospel' (1 Cor 4:14-15; Also see 1 Thess 2:11, 1Tim 1:2 and Tit 1:4). St.Paul became their spiritual father because he cooperated with God in giving them spiritual life, just as biological fathers cooperate with God in giving physical life. Catholics call their priests 'father because, like St.Paul, priests cooperate with God in giving spiritual life to their flock by preaching the Gospel and administering the sacraments."27
Is the Mass really a sacrifice?
"Protestants reject the Catholic teaching on the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for two reasons. They claim the Mass violates many passages in Hebrews which tell us Jesus was only sacrificed once, and that, without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins (Heb 9:22,25, 28, 10:11-12). They think Catholics teach Jesus is sacrificed again at every Mass. They cite Catholic catechisms which teach that in the Mass Jesus is offered in an unbloody manner."
"The Catholic Church teaches that the one, all-sufficient, bloody sacrifice of Jesus at Calvary is made present at each Mass in an unbloody manner. Christ is not re-sacrificed at each Mass; rather the Mass re-presents the one sacrifice of Calvary. Thus, the efficacy (effectiveness) of the Mass comes entirely from the one, bloody sacrifice of Calvary.
"The passages referred to in Hebrews compare the many sacrifices of the OT religion, which could not atone for sin nor reconcile mankind to God, with the one sacrifice of Christ which did atone for all sins and reconcile mankind to God. Hebrews also stresses that the bloody sacrifice of animals in the OT prefigured the bloody sacrifice of Christ for the remission of sin."
"The Mass, also known as the Lord's supper or the Eucharist, repeats what happened at the Last Supper. At the Last Supper, Our Lord turned bread into His body, and said that this body would be offered up (sacrificed) for us. He turned wine into His blood, and said that this blood would be shed (sacrificed) for us. Clearly, at the Last Supper, Jesus made His future sacrifice at Calvary present. He then commanded His disciples to repeat this mystery. In 1 Cor 11:26, St. Paul tells us that in the celebration of the Eucharist we "proclaim the Lord's death until He comes." Thus, the Last Supper, which made the sacrifice of Calvary present, will continue to be repeated in the Mass until the end of time. In this way, Christ's once-for-all sacrifice will be made present to the faithful until the end of time."28
Does Baptism regenerate, or is it only a symbolic washing? (Also, see Sacraments page.)
"Most Fundamentalists believe that Baptism is only a symbolic washing--an ordinance, not a sacrament. Catholics believe that Baptism is a sacrament of the NT instituted by Christ. Catholics believe that through Baptism all sin, original and actual, is wiped away. The life of God, called sanctifying grace, is infused into the soul, and a person is born again of water and the Holy Spirit (Jn 3:5). Jesus made baptism a condition for entering heaven (Jn 3:5; Mk 16:16). In Acts 2:38, St. Peter says through baptism our sins are forgiven and we receive the Holy Spirit. St. Paul says that we are given new life (regeneration) through baptism (Rom 6:4). Titus 3:5 tells us that we are saved 'by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit,' which refers to baptism. 1 Pet 3:20-21 says: 'Baptism ... now saves you.'"
"In essence, Fundamentalists confuse the Baptism of Jesus with the baptism of John the Baptist. John's baptism was only a symbolic washing. However, John says that Jesus' baptism would give the Holy Spirit, whereas his own did not (Mt 3:11). At the time of the Reformation, many Protestants rejected baptism as a sacrament of regeneration because it did not fit with their new and unorthodox notion of justification by faith alone."
"Jesus would not have made baptism a condition for entering heaven if it were only symbolic. The writings of the early Church Fathers show that they all taught that water baptism regenerates. The idea that baptism is only a symbolic washing arose centuries later with the Reformation."29
Why do Catholics baptize infants?
"Fundamentalists believe that baptism is only a symbolic washing signifying that a person has accepted Jesus as his Lord and savior. According to them, since an infant cannot accept Jesus as Lord and Savior (because he does not have the use of reason), baptism is meaningless for him."
However, Jesus requires baptism for entering heaven (Jn 3:5; Mark 16:16). St. Paul tells us that all are born with Adam's sin and thus need baptism (Rom 5:18-19). Jesus makes clear that children are not to be kept away from Him (Mk 10:14). The Apostles baptized entire households (Acts 16:15, 33; 1 Cor 1:16). This would include infants. No Bible passage prohibits infant baptism."
"The early Church Fathers were clear that the baptizing of infants was a practice that came from the Apostles themselves. That infants lack the use of reason does not prevent them from becoming part of the New Covenant through baptism. In the OT, a child became part of the Old Covenant through circumcision. This was done eight days after birth, long before the child could choose for himself whether or not to be part of the Chosen People. Just as parents in the OT supplied the decision for the child's circumcision until he could confirm this decision at the age of reason, so in the NT parents stand in for the child at his baptism until he can confirm this decision at the age of reason."30
How does one prove that everyone was born with original sin and needs baptism? Church of Christ members do not believe this.
"Gilbert Keith Chesterton said that the doctrine of original sin is the only one that can be proved by just looking around at the evil in the world. However, God Himself, in divine revelation, told us about original sin. David said (Psalm 50:7) 'in sin did my mother conceive me.' It is clear that He is using the singular in the Hebrew (not referring to personal sins). Jesus said that baptism (rebirth by water and the Holy Spirit) is necessary to enter the Kingdom of God (John 3:6). Saint Paul said (Romans 5:12) that 'By one man sin entered the world… in whom all have sinned.' By the way, there are several varieties of religions calling themselves 'The Church of Christ.' They were founded in America less than two centuries ago and have no connection with Christ. They are simply manmade religious inventions, which broke off from another manmade denomination called the Disciples of Christ."31
To avoid exclusive language, a Protestant baptism I attended used the words 'Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier' in place of 'Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.' Is this a new trend also among Catholics?
"In the eyes of the Catholic Church a baptism administered using the words you indicate would be both illicit and invalid. In other words, it would not be a true baptism at all."32 The Catholic Church has been given the deposit of faith from the apostles. It has no authority to change the baptismal words used by our Lord in Scripture. (See Sacraments page.)
Is it all right now after the Second Vatican Council to give a child at baptism a name that is not a saint's name?
"As far as I know the Second Vatican Council never treated this issue. The current Code of Canon Law says, 'Parents, sponsors, and the pastor are to take care that a name is not given (to a child being baptized) which is foreign to Christian sentiment.' It is a beautiful practice to give a child a saint's name, even if it has to be a second or third name. The saint can intercede for the person as he or she grows up. The person can learn about the saint's life and try to imitate the saint's virtues in following Christ, etc. For Christians this is certainly preferable over naming children after relatives, sports or rock stars, months or seasons of the year, nuts and fruits, etc."33
Other Counter Reformation Issues
Aren't we saved by faith alone as St. Paul says in Romans 3:28?
"When St. Paul says, 'For we hold that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of law,' he is teaching that the works of the OT Mosaic law, such as circumcision, could not bring salvation. In the NT, faith does bring salvation, provided it is made alive by charity. Saving faith is active: it is 'faith working through love' (Gal 5:6)."
"In 1 Cor 13:2, St. Paul tells us that faith without love (charity) is nothing (it cannot save). Charity means love of God, and Jesus says that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments (Jn 14:21). When the rich man asks Jesus what he must do to be saved, Jesus answers: 'keep the commandments' (Mt 19:16-17). Thus it is clear from Scripture that faith alone is not enough for salvation. We must also have charity and keep God's commandments."
"St. James condemns the idea that we are saved by faith apart from good works: 'See that man is justified by works and not by faith alone.*...For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so faith apart from works is dead'" (Jam 2:24,26).
"The Catholic Church teaches that we are saved by God's grace alone. Grace enables us to have the saving faith that works in love (Eph 2:8-10). All good works must be done in the grace of God to have any supernatural value."
*"Luther's battle cry, 'Justification by faith alone,' is expressly contradicted by Scripture, which explains why he belittled the book of James (a part of God's infallible Word) as 'an epistle of straw.'"34
If the redemptive work of Christ is all-sufficient, why do Catholics insist on various good works and penances?
"Fundamentalists think that because Catholics teach salvation depends on faith and good works, Catholics must not believe the redemptive work of Christ is sufficient. They see good works, penances, Purgatory, prayer to the saints, and the sacraments, as unnecessary additions to the completed work of Christ. Protestants have this notion because the confuse salvation with redemption."
"Catholics firmly agree with Protestants that the redemptive work of Christ is complete and all sufficient. Through His suffering, death, and resurrection, Jesus redeemed everyone: He paid for all the sins and made it possible for anyone to be saved. However, we know that not everyone is automatically saved."
"All Christians admit that people can fail to be saved by refusing to repent, or by refusing to cooperate with God's grace in other areas. Although the redemptive work of Christ is complete, the merits of His redemption must still be applied to each person in order for him to be saved. Thus, a person must repent (Mt 4:17), believe in Jesus (Acts 16:31), keep the commandments (Mt 19:16-17), and live a life of charity (1 Cor 13:1-3), as Scripture plainly teaches. A Catholic who performs good works in Christ isn't denying the completed works of Christ's redemption; he is depending on it."35
Can you lose your salvation once you accept Jesus as Lord and Savior?
Most, though not all, Fundamentalists believe that once you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, it is impossible to lose your salvation. This doctrine is known as 'once saved, always saved.' Like many other Protestant doctrines, this teaching was unheard of before the Reformation."
"Mt 24:13 tells us that we must 'endure to the end' in order to be saved. St. Paul says the same thing in 2 Tim 2:12: that we must hold out to the end if we want to reign with Christ. In Rom 11:22, Christians are warned that they will be cut off if they don't persevere in the kindness of God. Hebrews 6:4-6 describes people who are sharers in the Holy Spirit (born-again Christians) but then fall away from God."
"Remember St. Paul's advice: 'work out your own salvation with fear and trembling' (Phil 2:12). Who should have more assurance of salvation than St. Paul? Yet he says: 'I pummel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified' (1 Cor 9:27). Scripture is very clear: Christians can lose their salvation."
"The Catholic Church teaches we must die in sanctifying grace in order to be saved. Any mortal sin leads to a loss of sanctifying grace and the risk of eternal damnation if we should die in this state."36
In what sense is it true, as you stated in another answer, that Catholics are the only true authentic "Bible Christians"?
Only Catholics have a God appointed guide to the correct interpretation of Sacred Scripture. Only Catholics possess the fullness of God's revelation in Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture. It was from the Sacred Tradition of the Catholic Church alone that the correct number and contents and names of the books in the Bible were given. It is only the Magisterium (the teaching authority) of the Catholic Church which determined which books were in the Bible, which are divinely inspired, what is the meaning of biblical inerrancy, etc. The Catholic Church alone preserved the Bible down through the centuries and she alone teaches the fullness and completeness of divine revelation, as contained in the deposit of faith, given to her by Jesus Who founded her and promised to remain in her until the end of time. Jesus told His disciples to preach the Gospel… He never said to give out Bibles, which in any case would not have done too much good, since most human beings then (and even on earth today) could not read. It was only after four centuries of the Catholic Church's existence that a definitive decision was made by the Catholic Bishops about which books belong in the Bible and which do not. Protestants and others who claim to be "Bible Christians" are hopelessly and totally divided among themselves about the meaning and interpretation of the Bible. Thus they are divided into numerous quarreling and contradicting sect, churches, denominations, cults and the like, all claiming to be based on the Bible. It is not the sole rule of faith and the Bible itself tells us the Church founded by Jesus Christ is necessary (Matthew 18:17 and Timothy 3:15).37
How should we reply to the non-Catholics who ask us, "Are you saved?"
Christ died on the cross to save the human race and he is rightly called our Savior. Subjectively, however, we are not absolutely certain about the application of Christ's salvation to our individual souls nor about our personal perseverance in His grace. This is why the Bible tells us that we must "work out our salvation in fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12). We must constantly pray for the gift of final perseverance in sanctifying grace. While we must fill up our saving faith with trust in the merits of Jesus and with charity, the notion of some Protestants that an emotional experience of personal salvation after making "Jesus our personal savior" signifies something authentic and salvific in religion is not true.38
We have a friend who claims that it is God's will that there be all kinds of different churches, because what might appeal to one person might not appeal to another. What do you think about this idea?
It is nonsense. Jesus taught us to pray that God's will be done, not our will. From the human perspective, it is proper to distinguish God's permissive will from His direct will. God permits evil and sin, including the founding of false churches and erroneous religions, but His direct will is clearly otherwise. The misuse of human freedom is always possible in every human decision while we walk on earth, but it is blasphemous to believe God can contradict Himself. One would have to hold such a blasphemous belief if your friend's claims were to be held. True religion is not concerned with what "appeals" to us, but rather what "appeals" to God. Our duty is to find the one true religion which comes from God and then adhere to it our whole life long. It is true that God has placed a disposition toward religion in every human person and if this is not met by the true religion then usually some other form of religion will be found and followed, either deliberately, or, more often, without personal culpability because of invincible ignorance, misinformation, etc.39
What proof is there that God exists?
Everything has a cause; nothing can bring itself into existence. Obviously there is a long chain of causes in the universe, but ultimately there must be a first cause, an uncaused cause. To start anything, something greater must have created it. a creator. Then there is the evidence of divine revelation - where God has revealed Himself by voice and apparition and by His miracles. Scriptures are full of such accounts and in modern times we have witnessed miracles such as Fatima and Lourdes. And lastly, there is the evidence of human intuition. Psychologists have long known that every human being - the atheist included - intuitively seeks God's help in times of great calamity and instinctively pleads for God's mercy when death is imminent.40
Why should I spend the time to understand and possibly follow Catholic Church teaching in difficult areas for me? After all, Protestant denominations don't have the same hang-ups as the Catholic Church has in these areas.
Lacking specifics, it is difficult to respond to this question. However, there is a sin, perhaps serious, known as supine ignorance which many may be held accountable for at their judgment. When ones heart is tugging on ones will to be open to understanding the truth or understanding an error in practice and we ignore and not respond, we may be guilty of supine ignorance. This can apply equally so to both Catholics and Protestants. We suggest that you discuss this with a priest. May our Lord give you the grace of courage to do so.
Christians have always believed in the existence of a place between heaven and hell where souls go to be punished for lesser sins and to repay the debt for sins that have been forgiven. Purgatory is a place for the cleansing of the soul. Metaphorically, if you were working out and were dirty and came home to a surprise party, you would want to take a shower to cleanse yourself to be prepared to meet your guests. Because God is so perfect and we come to him with human sins, we need to prepare ourselves before meeting Him. Purgatory provides that cleansing before meeting God.41
What is meant by saying that Jesus "descended into hell"?
The Catechism of the Catholic Church answers your questions extensively (numbers 631-637), and I suggest you study the matter there. "Hell" here does not mean the abode of the damned (the inferno or gehenna) but rather the abode of the dead of the Old Testament, who died in the state of grace, and therefore, who were saved by their belief in the future Messiah, and who were awaiting Christ's ascension when the gates of heaven would be again opened for human beings and they would accompany Him into paradise. Christ, whose soul was temporarily with them, while His body lay in the sepulcher, preached to them (1 Peter 4:6 and John 5:25).42
If God loves us, why do bad things happen to good people?
At the fall of Adam and Eve we took on a fallen nature and our world was not as God originally intended. God doesn't cause accidents or tragedies. God allows things to happen because he has given us free will. He doesn't control us. As people exercise that free will and make choices, there are consequences to their actions that can hurt us. God allows for the natural course of events to occur - he does not cause them, he simply permits them.43
A sacrament is an "outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace" (holiness) to the soul. That is, a divinely prescribed ceremony of the Church in which the words and action combine to form a sign of divine grace. We are a physical people and a spiritual people and a sacrament bridges our physical and spiritual sides. Christ is always present in sacraments. Even if you "don't feel like being there" (as many people say about Reconciliation), you will always encounter Christ spiritually in sacraments. No matter how we feel, he is always there to meet us.44 (For more information, see the Sacraments page)
Would the existence of life on planets other than earth contradict the Catholic Faith?
There is no contradiction of the Catholic Faith involved in this matter. As a matter of fact, many orthodox theologians and even some saints speculated on the possibility of life on other planets. If such life were discovered some day, it would have to be ascertained whether any of such life were rational. If it were, then the next step would be to determine if it has any connection with our primordial ancestors (Adam and Eve). If not, it would then have to be determined what status such rational life would have. Would it have a purely natural destiny, or like us, have a supernatural destiny? Would it be like us, that is, destined for union with God, but then fallen and now redeemed, or would it never have fallen? If fallen, would it be destined to be or have been redeemed and how? Most of all, it would have to be determined if the incarnation and redemption effected by our Creator through Jesus Christ, His divine Son, was the means of redemption for such beings? It is amusing to speculate about such things in the light of what God has revealed to us. Perhaps we shall only know the definitive answers about such things when we will be joined to God in eternity.45
A candidate in an RCIA program in another diocese was told by a priest that he could dissent from Church teaching about contraception if he could not accept it in conscience. Is this correct?
This is not correct. Conscience, in order to be followed without sin, must be correctly formed and must conform to objective norms of morality, among which are divine laws. Artificial birth prevention is forbidden by God. A conscience that is not in agreement with God on this issue is erroneous and cannot be followed licitly. Sometimes priests are misquoted or misunderstood and perhaps that is the case here.46
What are the spiritual works of mercy?
There are seven spiritual works of mercy which all Catholics are to practice. They are: to admonish the sinner, to instruct the ignorant, to counsel the doubtful, to comfort the sorrowful, to bear wrongs patiently, to forgive all injuries, and to pray for the living and the dead.47
I am over 60 years of age and had a very short marriage after high school. Then I fell away from the Catholic Church, but now I would like to return. Where do I start?
The best place to start is to go to a priest at the parish nearest you. If you would find this difficult or embarrassing, go to any priest and he will help you to get underway toward your full membership again in the Church. Be sure to pray regularly and to start going to Mass every Sunday and Holy Day, but do not receive Holy Communion until your situation in the Church is made regular again.(Lincoln) Also, we suggest that you visit our Rediscovering the Church page on this web site prior to consulting a priest.48
Questions and Answers About Specific Moral Issues of Our Day
Pre-marital Sex and Artificial Birth Control
Why does the Catholic Church believe in abstaining from sex before marriage?
God created sexual intimacy and it is wonderful and the most intimate expression of human love. He chose the sexual act as the means by which humans (with an invaluable soul) are created. But when sex is used indiscriminately, it can be a source of diseases, unwed pregnancies, broken hearts, hardened hearts and low self-esteem. True love is based on sacrifice and fidelity. Self-control is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit and we need to exercise self-control in our lives. If you are not faithful to God's laws, what evidence is there that you can be faithful to each other? Is it really love if a couple is willing to put each other at risk for early pregnancy, devastating diseases and emotional stress? Sexual intimacy is a wonderful gift from God that needs to be part of a lifelong commitment that is blessed by God and open to having children.49
If you mean sexual promiscuity, there are two major reasons why this is wrong. First, it is not love, but merely selfish pleasure-seeking masquerading as love. Second, it is not free, but is really slavery to passion, fashion, hormones, etc. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (2526) says, "The necessary precondition for the development of true freedom is to let oneself be educated in moral law."50
What are the risks if you choose to have more than one sexual partner?
The risk factor is evident in the national statistics on new cases of sexually transmitted diseases. The new cases annually are as follows: HIV/AIDS – 20,000+; Chlamydia – 3,000,000+; Gonorrhea – 650,000+; Syphillis – 70,000+; Herpes II – 1,000,000+ (1 in 5 Americans 12 and over infected); HPV (Human Papillomavirus) – 5.5 million+; PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease) – 261,000+. An estimated 15 million new sexually transmitted infections occur every year, 67% are among women and men under age 25. Why? “When you have sex with someone, you are having sex with everyone they have had sex with for the last ten years, and everyone they and their partners have had sex with for the last ten years.” C. Everett Koop, M.D., former U.S. Surgeon General
Why does the Catholic Church oppose the use of artificial birth control?
The Catholic Church opposes any form of artificial birth control (Natural Family Planning is accepted) because it takes God out of the marital act. One of the most awesome gifts God gave us is the ability to generate new life in His image. We are co-creators of that process with Him. Contraception deliberately thwarts this God-given gift. Additionally, the birth control pill can cause spontaneous abortion, where a woman becomes pregnant and aborts the baby without even knowing it has occurred. This is because most "pills" have an abortifacient, chemical back-up. Natural Family Planning (NFP) is a morally acceptable means to avoid pregnancy by restricting sexual intercourse to the infertile times of a woman's cycle. People who practice NFP feel especially blessed because they are doing God's will and their relationship is never in the dark, but exists in the light of God's blessing. NFP is NOT the same as the "rhythm/calendar" method. It is far more scientific and proven more effective.51
Won't the world become dangerously over populated without birth control and abortion?
This is a common myth that makes many hold immoral views. It was false when first postulated in the 19th century. It was false when The Population Bomb was first published in the 1960’s. It is false now. That this theory is still taught in grade schools all over the world even today does not make it any truer. The United Nations predicts that every nation on earth, with the exception of a few African nations, will reach below replacement fertility within the next 20 years. This is a very serious problem and the UN Population Division has sounded the alarm about replacement fertility.
What are the benefits of using Natural Family Planning (NFP)?
Couples who use NFP soon learn that they have a shared responsibility for family planning and a healthier relationship. Other benefits include: low cost, no side effects, effectiveness for achieving/spacing/limiting pregnancy, usefulness throughout the reproductive life cycle, marriage enrichment and mutual understanding, appreciation for the value of a child, respect for and acceptance of the total person and moral acceptability. A growing number of dioceses and parishes are requiring NFP training be included in pre-cana, a preparation for marriage, and it is being received with willingness and acceptance.
How effective is Natural Family Planning in avoiding pregnancy?
The number of pregnancies among one hundred couples in one year who are taught well, understand the method, are clear about family planning intention, and carefully follow all the rules for avoiding pregnancy all the time experience only 1- 4 pregnancies. Couples who occasionally do not follow all the rules for avoiding pregnancy experience 5 – 25 out of 100 couples annually. Generally, these latter rates of effectiveness are similar to those found among couples using barrier methods of contraception. Source: The Diocesan Development Program for NFP, National Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Why does the Catholic Church oppose abortion?
The Catholic Church views abortion as the taking of an innocent human life. A baby is a separate human life distinct from his or her mother. Each child has its own genetic identity, its own heartbeat, brain waves, eyes, ears, mouth, etc. Of course women have rights over their own bodies (just as men do), but these rights are limited when they affect other people's bodies. Abortion directly involves two bodies - the mother's and the unborn child's. Any M.D. worth their "pedigree" will admit that life begins at conception.52
Are you confused by an unplanned pregnancy, or do you need help with recovering from an abortion? Please call the church office and talk with a priest and/or call Project Rachel toll free at 1-877-908-1212.
If the Catholic Church would change its doctrine about artificial birth contraception, wouldn't this cut down on the number of abortions?
"First, the immorality of the use of artificial birth prevention is a divine law, not merely a law or discipline of the Church. Therefore, the Catholic Church cannot "change" what God wills in regard to human conduct. She can only proclaim and teach it. Second, it should be kept in mind that many forms of artificial birth contraception are really abortifacient, that is they prevent birth by abortion. These include the "pill" (perhaps between 20 and 40 percent of the time), the IUD, etc. Third, all statistical studies known to us show that the more contraception there is, the more abortions there are. This could be for several reasons: Promoting contraception means promoting sexual promiscuity. Therefore, there are more "unintended and inconvenient" pregnancies. Also, it should be remembered that most abortions are done as a type of contraception. Many people look upon abortion as "just another form of birth control." Many women have repeated abortions for this reason."53
Are you confused by an unplanned pregnancy, or do you need help with recovering from an abortion? Please call the church office and talk with a priest and/or call Project Rachel toll free at 1-877-908-1212.
Is it a sin to be pro-choice in the matter of abortion?
Most likely it is. Being pro-choice in abortion appears to fall in the category of "cooperation in evil" or aiding another in sin." The Second Vatican Council called abortion an abominable crime and a heinous mortal sin. Cooperation or aiding in such a crime and sin makes one an accomplice and guilty along with the direct perpetrator.54
Are you confused by an unplanned pregnancy, or do you need help with recovering from an abortion? Please call the church office and talk with a priest and/or call Project Rachel toll free at 1-877-908-1212.
Why doesn't the Hippocratic oath prevent doctors from performing abortions?
Before the time of Hippocrates, who lived before the time of Christ, a medical practitioner had a dual role. One was to kill and one was to cure. The great contribution of Hippocrates, which passed into the Christian era and continued for two millennia, was to separate the curing and killing functions of the physicians, hence the oath. Now, the oath of Hippocrates is no longer sworn by graduating medical students. With abortion, and the onrush of euthanasia, some doctors, tragically, have again assumed that dual role.
Action: Pray (at this moment) that our U.S. medical schools will be led by ethical principles, formed by natural, moral law, and that their curriculums will include the reinstatement of the Hippocratic oath.
Are you confused by an unplanned pregnancy, or do you need help with recovering from an abortion? Please call the church office and talk with a priest and/or call Project Rachel toll free at 1-877-908-1212.
Is it a mortal sin for a Catholic to vote for a politician who condones and votes for abortion?
In January 2003, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith released a new document, “Doctrinal Note on Some Questions Regarding the Participation of Catholics in Political life.” This document is addressed to “bishops of the Catholic Church, Catholic politicians and all lay members of the faithful called to participate in the political life of democratic societies.
The document is clear. Catholics “cannot compromise” for the sake of a misguided tolerance because “those who are directly involved in lawmaking bodies have a grave and clear obligation to oppose any law that attacks human life. For them, as for every Catholic, it is impossible to promote such laws or to vote for them.”
Are you confused by an unplanned pregnancy, or do you need help with recovering from an abortion? Please call the church office and talk with a priest and/or call Project Rachel toll free at 1-877-908-1212.
When deciding how to vote for a candidate or a political party, what of the "consistent ethic of life" argument? Isn't the "single issue" voter obliged to examine a candidates total position -- such as a just wage, fair education and capital punishment?
No. All life issues are not of equal moral weight. The word consistent is mistakenly read by some to indicate equal. As Francis Cardinal George of Chicago, IL, points out, abortion is “a defining issue not only personally, but socially. Poverty can be addressed incrementally, but the death of a child is quite final.”
Recently I e-mailed my two U.S. Senators regarding abortion and respectfully let them know how I feel. One did not respond and the other sent an obvious form letter reply. The reply stated that "I support women's rights and health." How should I respond?
"Suggest to your Senator that his reason is precisely why he should examine the evidence, which is more plentiful than ever, that abortion is destructive of women’s health, and listen to the growing voices of those who have been harmed by abortion. That is also why he should examine how the abortion industry, through unregulated and dangerous clinics, continues to deceive and exploit women" (Fr. Frank Pavone).
"Top 12" Pro-Abortion Arguments and Responses
"It's my body--I have the right to choose."
"Answer: Abortion kills an innocent human being who is distinct from his mother. A mother has no more right to kill her unborn child than she does her born child. From the moment of conception, the mother carries in her body a genetically unique human being. The mother cannot morally take even her own life, much less her baby's. Think about it: does a father have a right to kill his child just because he lives in his father's house? Of course not. Neither does a mother have a right to kill her baby just because he lives in his mother's womb. Abortion is wrong. As Abraham Lincoln reminded Stephen Douglas in a debate about slavery: 'we never have the right to do wrong.'"55
"The fetus is just a clump of cells, a glob of tissue."
"Answer: Even when it is a single fertilized cell, the fetus already has its own life principle and its own genetic makeup. This tiny clump of cells is a uniquely distinct individual who, with only the addition of time and nutrition, will develop into a mature human being. The only significant difference between a fetus and a fifty year old is a few years and meals! Just because the baby is small doesn't mean that it is not a human being. What else could the offspring of two human beings be? At one time, you also were 'just a clump of cells.' But what important cells they were for you--they were you!"56
"An unborn baby can't reason or interact with people. Therefore, it's not really a person, so we can kill it."
Answer: What about children who are born with mental impairments that leave them without reason or the ability to interact with others? Are they non-persons that can be killed? What about people who go into comas? They cannot reason or interact with others. Do they cease to be persons? Can we go ahead and kill them? Wouldn't the same logic allow us to kill people who are unconscious or fast asleep? This definition of 'person' is arbitrary and against sound philosophy, leading to conclusions that even many abortion supporters would not accept."57
"A fetus becomes human when it can live on its own, outside the mother's womb."
"Answer: How many two-year olds can live on their own, without food and care from their parents? Even as adults, we depend on others to help keep us alive. But we are still human. If being dependent means not being human, then toddlers, the handicapped, the injured, the sick and the aged could all be killed on demand."58
"Abortion is legal."
"Answer: That abortion is legal is meaningless. It was legal to kill Jews in Nazi Germany. The only thing the legalization of abortion indicates is how far we have sunk morally. Any law that goes against the divine law is invalid and evil. Remember that even in this country slavery was legal for decades. Something can be legal and still wrong."59
"If abortion becomes illegal, it will still go on in back alleys."
"Answer: Yes, abortion will continue. Rape also goes on in spite of laws against it--should it no longer be a crime? Should we spend tax money to buy the rapist a good clean hotel room to commit his deed in? After all: 'He's just going to rape people anyway.' The law is an educator. In the 1960's, civil rights laws changed the way most people viewed discrimination. Laws educate when they are disobeyed."60
"You can't legislate morality."
"Answer: We legislate morality all the time. We have laws against slavery, bigotry, rape, incest, theft, murder, drunk driving, and child abuse. Why? Because these things are immoral; they are intrinsically wrong. No one believes we should be allowed to practice child abuse 'in the privacy of our homes.' We pass all kinds of laws to keep people from doing horrible things. Abortion is horribly wrong, and our laws should say so."61
"I'm personally opposed to abortion, but I'm not going to tell other people what to do."
"Answer: Abortion is not an issue on which we can remain neutral: it is either horrible murder (killing innocent human life) or harmless medicine (like removing a mole). If it is murder, then we cannot allow it to continue. Imagine that you were walking down the street and, looking up, you saw a woman about to drop her three-month-old-baby out of a second story window. Would you turn and walk away saying, 'Well, I wouldn't do that, but I won't interfere; after all, it's her decision.'?"62
"I'm opposed to late-term abortions, but I think we should allow abortions in the first trimester (first 12 weeks of pregnancy)."
"Answer: Every argument used to justify early abortions can be used to justify late abortions. Every argument against late abortions is equally valid against early abortions. What is there about a twelve-week fetus compared to a twenty-week fetus that allows us to say we can kill one, but not the other? This is a purely arbitrary division with no basis in biology, philosophy, or morality."63
"We must make exceptions for rape and incest."
"Answer: Rape and incest are hideous crimes; people who commit them should be punished. Nevertheless, a baby that results from rape or incest [very rare] is an innocent human being with the same right to life as anyone else. Two wrongs don't make a right. Why should we add the crime of murder to these other crimes? We should not kill a child for the sins of his father. Killing an innocent human being is never justifiable."64
"Better an aborted baby than an unwanted baby."
"Answer: Once we decide we can kill a baby because he is 'unwanted,' we are applying the same logic Hitler used to kill 'unwanted' retarded children and 'undesirable' races like the Jews. No unborn baby is unwanted. God, who willed to give them life, wants them. They are also wanted by thousands of couples longing to adopt."66
"I couldn't give my child away for someone else to raise."
"Answer: A child is not a possession to control, but a person to love unconditionally. What kind of mother would rather kill her baby than give him a chance to be happy with an adoptive family? It's the height of selfishness to say: "if I can't have my child, no one will." Recall how King Solomon (1 Kings 3:16-27) detected which woman was the child's mother: the one willing to give him up so he might live."67
Does Catholic teaching categorically reject the death penalty?
No. However the Catechism has this to say: “Assuming that the guilty party’s identity and responsibility have been fully determined, the traditional teaching of the church does not exclude recourse to the death penalty, if this is the only possible way of effectively defending human lives against the unjust aggressor. If, however, non-lethal means are sufficient to defend and protect people’s safety from the aggressor, authority will limit itself to such means, as these are more in keeping with the concrete conditions of the common good and more in conformity with the dignity of the human person” (CCC 2267).
St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas supported the death penalty. Why can't I?
Yes, they did, but Augustine warned against vengeance and Thomas Aquinas proposed that “in this life, penalties should be remedial rather than retributive.” Contrary to the abilities of the penal systems of the 5th and 13th centuries to effectively defend lives against the unjust aggressor, Pope John Paul II points out that we can protect the whole body of society today. The cases warranting the death penalty now are “very rare if not practically nonexistent.”
What are stem cells and how are they obtained?
Every human body contains stem cells. These cells develop into 200 or more kinds of cells that make up the organs of the human body. Scientists theorize they can cultivate these cells and program them for specific therapeutic purposes, such as growing new brain, heart, or kidney tissue to repair damaged tissue. Stem cells develop very early in the human embryo after fertilization, but they [adult stem cells] are also found in the placenta and the umbilical cord as well as in the adult brain, bone marrow, blood, skeletal muscle, and skin. Source: Our Sunday Visitor
It is very important to differentiate between embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. Most often the media uses the general term "stem cell research" without any differentiation between the two types (a sin of omission). Catholic teaching accepts the use of adult stem cells and rejects the use of embryonic stem cells. Coincidentally, adult stem cells are proving to be effective in the treatment of many diseases. The efficacy of embryonic stem cells has yet to be demonstrated to date despite significant activity.
What are embryonic stem cells?
Some scientists want to do research on stem cells gathered from embryos. These embryonic cells are called master cells. As younger cells than those taken from adults, they are believed easier to reproduce and manipulate in the laboratory. Scientists obtain embryonic stem cells from human embryos. A human embryo is the earliest stage of human life. To obtain the embryonic stem cells, the human embryo must be killed.
Human embryos can be obtained via abortion. They can also be created in a lab using the same technology to fertilize a human egg with a human sperm that is used in in-vitro fertilization.
In each case a human embryo – a living human being in its earliest stages of formation – would be intentionally destroyed for the sake of scientific experimentation. And in each case, the church teaches that the destruction of human embryos is wrong. Source: Our Sunday Visitor
Why is some stem cell research evil if it might accomplish some good?
Some say the good to be accomplished by healing such diseases as Parkinson’s, or Alzheimer’s, justifies the evil of destroying human embryos. But this argument reduces people to their usefulness. It also assumes there are no moral absolutes that must be observed in all circumstances. The church teaches that unborn life is innocent human life, and that the innocent human being has an absolute right to life. Science has revealed that the embryo from the moment of conception has the entire genetic makeup of a unique human life, distinct from both father and mother. It is completely and fully human in its innermost being and it needs only time to grow and develop into a recognizable human person. Source: Our Sunday Visitor
Haven't doctors, scientists and commentators said that embryonic stem cell research will lead to the cure of many diseases?
Some have made this claim, but in fact this is largely speculation. Embryonic stem cells have never treated a human patient, and animal trials suggest that they are too genetically unstable and too likely to form lethal tumors to be used for treatment any time soon. This kind of exaggerated “promise” has mislead researchers and patient groups before---obviously in the case of fetal tissue from abortion, which a decade ago was said to promise miracle cures and has produced nothing of the kind.
Is the church telling us to choose the lives of embryos over the lives of suffering patients?
No. "It is calling us to respect both, without discrimination. We must help those who are suffering, but we may not use a good end to justify an evil means. Moreover, treatments that do not require destroying any human life are at least as promising---they are already healing some conditions, and are far closer to healing other conditions than any approach using embryonic stem cells. The choice is not between science and ethics, but between science that is ethically responsible and science that is not" (Source: The Diocese of Pam Beach Respect Life Office).
What are ethical sources of stem cells?
Stem cells can be harvested from the umbilical cord and the placenta after the birth of a baby. Adult stem cells can be obtained from the brain, bone marrow, blood, skeletal muscle, skin, fat and even from the inside of the nose. In fact, researchers have recently discovered that they can use baby teeth, which usually wind up with the tooth fairy, to harvest stem cells. These sources involve no harm to human life. Source: Our Sunday Visitor
Is it immoral for infertile couples to get involved in "in-vitro" fertilization? Is it immoral to freeze human embryos?
Yes, it is immoral. All "in vitro" fertilization in general is seriously sinful for those who are involved in it, including the medical and technical personnel, the couple and all who cooperate in the act. It is well to know that there are good Catholic doctors, who abide by the teaching of God and His church on these issues and who are often able to assist infertile couples to have children in a morally acceptable way. Also, there is one type of "gamete transfer" that some reliable and truly Catholic theologians (but not all) claim could fall into the realm of the morally permissible. Your parish priest should be able to direct you to a proper source for more advice about these issues. Those who are involved in "in vitro" fertilization often form more human babies in test tubes or dishes than they need and they destroy the "leftovers," thus incurring the additional dreadful mortal sin of those abortions and the ecclesiastical excommunications that fall upon those who do such crimes. Freezing human embryos for future use or destruction, of course, is gravely sinful and might also involve excommunications. Because all these issues can have myriads of aspects and circumstances involved in them, one should talk over these questions and problems with your priest.68
Also, learn about NAPRO technology at www.popepaulvi.com/index.html. This technology is a low cost alternative to in-vitro fertilization and does not destroy human life. It has been proved successful for infertile couples in many cases.
How many embryos are left over after in-vitro fertilization?
For each in-vitro fertilization that takes place, on average there are 20 leftover, fertilized embryos, and each is a human life. It is a painful, dangerous and expensive procedure having only a 25% success rate. Source: National Catholic Register, Vol 79, No 35 Sept 7-13, 2003
Why should I care if our society allows homosexual marriage or unions?
Societies endure because they have been based upon the family unit: father, mother and children. Societies have long recognized that families are essential to the healthy function of the social order. The rearing and socialization of children in the family is time consuming and a very sacrificial act. As such, a stable, faithful marriage with a father and mother is by far the most successful environment for raising children because the marriage union itself has a sacrificial nature. The child products of that marriage then become valuable contributors to society. Therefore, it is incumbent for society to support the family. By permitting alternative social experiments such as “same sex unions” to be legally recognized, we are giving in to the whims of a very small portion of society (<3%). By being indifferent to the threat, we become partners in the continuing destruction of the fundamental institution, the family, in society. That’s the secular answer. See the “Catholic” answer next.
Why does the Church care if our society legally allows homosexual marriage or unions?
Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, tradition has always declared that “homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered.” They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complimentarity (CCC 2357). The Church, which is “on the side of life,” teaches that “it is necessary that each and every marriage act remain ordered per se to the procreation of human life” (CCC 2366). Men and women having homosexual inclination constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided.
Couldn't it be argued that homosexual unions can be beneficial to society when they choose to adopt children?
Rearing children is a most worthy vocation which the Church has always supported and encouraged. One might suppose, therefore, that homosexual couples who wish to adopt children should be commended. Yet by their nature, homosexual unions cannot offer what the Church recognizes as a suitable environment for the rearing of the young child. The relationship between the homosexual "parents" is intrinsically disordered and extremely confusing to the young child. It is also inherently unstable, lacking the fidelity and permanence so important for the child's development. Homosexual activists will often claim a civil right to adopt children. Yet a child is not a commodity to be claimed or distributed according to some alleged "right," but a unique creation of God, made in his image and likeness.
It has been said that gay marriage is a great threat to the family. Why is maintaining the natural family unit so important to our country?
In virtually all societies, the natural family, consisting of a father, mother, children, and sometimes other relatives, fulfills several absolutely essential social functions. From the perspective of society, the most important of these are the procreation and socialization of children. Research shows that the natural family, with its strong ties of love and commitment, is the safest, most secure setting for the birth and rearing of children. No other institution enjoys the level of commitment from its members necessary to sustain the effort it takes to care for a child from birth to adulthood. These important functions warrant society's special concern for the family, and justify legal and institutional practices that support and encourage families to fulfill their important tasks. Society may permit other sexual relationships, such as same sex unions, to exist; but it need not endorse them by pretending that they are "marriages."
Maintaining a faithful marriage and sustaining a strong family are extremely difficult tasks. Those who sincerely attempt to succeed in these most worthwhile endeavors deserve the help and support of society.
Can you give reasons a little closer to home such as what we may face individually if gay marriage is recognized by the courts?
From a purely secular response to the question, every dollar our country spends of our tax money on social issues is due either to the breakdown in the family unit or to the failure to form a family unit. If gay marriage is recognized by the courts, the social function of the traditional family unit will be further devalued and its tenants further compromised. Thus, the societal function of the traditional family will continue to erode. Our government social spending will by necessity increase as a result and our taxes and/or our national debt will increase correspondingly. From a business perspective, a dwindling pot of money allocated for company benefits will become further diluted, and more costly for natural family contributions, if gay marriage is legalized and benefits must be extended to the married, gay segment of the population.
Are there psychological dangers of pornography?
Studies have indicated that an addiction to pornographic images occurs over time and it is accompanied by an increased desire for more and more explicit and bazaar fantasies. Eventually men are no longer able to have normal sexual relations because nothing “real” meets their psychological requirements and expectations. There also becomes a total disregard for the pro-creative intention of human sexuality. Addiction to pornography may also lead to Narcissism.
"Porn is now so pervasive that our college students don't even know how to date, because pornography has conditioned young men to believe that they're entitled to sexual services from women without the need for relationship. They're on such a steady diet of porn that they can't distinguish between love and sexual desire." (Patrick Truman, an assistant attorney general under Ronald Regan who headed the Child Exploitation and Obscenity section of the Department of Justice)
Action: Take an interest in activities and laws intended to curtail this hugh industry. Go to the web sites of your lawmakers and use the form provided to express your concern about the spread of pornography and its affects on national health. Join the Florida Family Association (www.floridafamily.org and give them your e-mail address) which has a terrific track record on curtailing porn in our state. Their e-mail campaign to government officials, the media, and corporate decision makers makes it very easy for members to participate via the web. Outstanding results have been accomplished.
Wives, discuss this with your husband. Also, don’t let your children have unsupervised access to computers.
If you feel you may be addicted to pornography, discuss this with a priest and then get counseling. Also, you can go to this web site: www.settingcaptivesfree.com
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