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Brand new questions

Catholics Succumbing to Temptation

In the Our Father, we pray not to be led into temptation. Are those who stray from the Church's judgment in regard to our principles and beliefs about abortion, sexual ethics, and marriage not falling into temptation? Aren't they ignoring what we pray for in the Our Father?

Were the "Dark Ages" really that dark?

Why do historians call the period after the fall of the Roman empire "the Dark Ages"? This was a time of great growth in the Catholic Church. There were many inventions and discoveries made during this time: invention of water mills, horse collars, and other agricultural developments. Slavery also disappeared from Europe because of the fall of the Roman empire. Wouldn't it be better to give this period another name?

Classic Protestant Challenges to Catholicism

Ian on Facebook from Glasgow, Scotland:

4. Why does the Catholic Church say it is the only church? In the Bible, Jesus clearly speaks about different churches that he preached in.

Eastern rites

Eastern Orthodox

Unitatis Redintegratio

5. Why did Catholics add books to the Bible? The added books have only have chapter numbers, but no verse numbers.

Apocrypha

6. The church says there is only one baptism, but John the Baptist said, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire" (Lk 3:16). Baptizing infants is only a commitment by family to bring the child up in faith, but babies can't acknowledge their baptism. They are not ready to be baptized in the Holy Spirit and be born of the Spirit. "Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit" (Jn 3:6).

Baptism

7. The Catholic Church's teaching is far from the standards set by the Bible.

Sola scriptura

Various Scriptural Questions

• Ann, East Aurora: Why did Jesus stay in the Temple instead of going to look for His parents? (added 10/22/12)
• Fred, Rochester: What is Agape love? (added 10/22/12)
• Peter from Clifton Springs: There seem to be many sacred numbers in the Old and New Testament. Which numbers are sacred for Catholics? (10/30/12)
• Ed from Rochester: What does the Church teach about the Rapture? It says in Scripture that "One will be taken; the other will remain." (01/15/13)
• Why does the Church keep the Old Testament in the Bible? The Old Testament is not the same as the New Testament. If the New Testament is right, doesn't that mean that the Old Testament is wrong? (01/17/13)
• What is the "gift of tongues"? (12/06/12)
• What is the meaning of the book of Revelation? (02/05/13)
• What is an "ecumenical Bible"? (11/20/12)
• What did Jesus mean when He said, "among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he" (Mt 11:11). It sounds like St. John the Baptist is in Hell. (02/21/13)
• How persuasive were the genealogies of Matthew and Luke to the Jews? (01/16/13)
• Why in John 20 did Jesus tell Mary Magdalene not to hold on to Him after the resurrection? (Added 10/22/12)
• Amanuel from Rochester: Both the Old Testament and the New Testament accept slavery. Neither Testament condemns the practice nor encourages rebellion against it. Why did God allow the authors of the Bible to endorse an evil practice?
• Mary from Buffalo: Were John & Jesus born on or about the same time? (02/18/13)
• John from Depew: How should Catholics read the Bible?
• Alex from e-mail: "Is there a list of scripture passages which have been definitively interpreted by Holy Mother Church? Also, would you recommend a bible study program to help those of us wanting to study scripture “cover to cover”?
• Scott from Rochester: What did Jesus mean by "I did not come to bring peace but divison"?

The papacy

• What is a "motu proprio"? How does it differ from an encyclical or a "papal bull"? (11/20/12)
• Why does the Catholic Church have a pope? (11/02/12)

Sin

Personal sins

• Emmanuel (e-mail): Can you please give few examples of the "sin against the Holy Spirit"? (Added 10/30/12)
• What is the difference between mortal and venial sin? (12/06/12)
• How do we deal with drug dealing or other criminal activity that we see in our neighborhoods? (01/24/13)
• Why can't Catholics use contraceptives? (added 10/22/12)
• Is it true that "Love of money is the root of all evils" (1 Tim 6:10)?
• Nancy from Buffalo: Is looking at pornography a sin? (01/03/13)
• Where is the boundary line between being conscious of having a sexual appetite and committing the sin of lust?
• Are there different kinds of sin? Are all mortal sins equally evil? (01/15/13)

Original Sin

• Why does God punish everybody for Adam and Eve's sin? That doesn't seem to be fair at all. (01/10/13)
• John B. from Webster: Why do people die?
• Andrew from Facebook: I've been pondering what I want to call the origin of good and evil. I'm curious as to the Catholic Church's position on whether there is simply a universal existence of good and evil, or if good and evil are essentially sent to us by God? To me it seems that is simply an interesting question without any real effect on us, because if we believe in God, we accept that everything He does is for our best interests no matter the abstract question is answered.

War and Peace

• What is the "Just War Theory"? I don't see anything like that in the Scriptures. (12/04/12)
• Why aren't Catholics pacifists? The Quaker tradition seems closer to the ideal proposed by Jesus to "turn the other cheek." (12/06/12)

Pious Spiritual Practices

• What is the history of the use of scapulars? How many kinds of scapular are there? (01/22/13)
• How did the devotion to the Infant of Prague develop? (12/20/12)
• Why do people bury a statue of St. Joseph when they are trying to sell a house? (11/15/12)
• What are "icons"? How are they different from other kinds of art found in Catholic Churches?
• How can we explain Benediction to teenagers? (12/04/12)
• What is the best way to present the pro-life message to a parish? (12/13/12)
• The Old Testament and many Protestant churches require "tithing"--giving 10% of one's income to God. Are Catholics who give less than 10% of their income to the Church offending God?
• Must prayers be spoken out loud? Is it possible to pray silently or without any words? (Added 10/22/12)
• How can we tell what is from good spirits and what is from evil spirits? How can we tell what ideas, feelings, beliefs, inspirations come from God?
• What graces do you get from using holy water? (11/02/12)
• Jean from Rochester: How can we tell that a speaker is in good standing with the Church? (11/20/12)
• John from Niagara Falls: My faith has been weakening. How can I strengthen it? (01/17/13)
• Diane from Rochester: When we pray, why don't we say please? (01/16/13)
• Mary from Rochester: Why is it that sometimes God answers our prayers and other times He doesn't? (01/17/13)
• Carlos from Melrose, MA: What should I expect during a guided retreat? What should I do to prepare to go on such a retreat?
• Shawn from Buffalo: can you explain the special favors associated with honoring the Divine Mercy image in your home?
• Anne from Buffalo: What is a Taizé Mass? (02/21/13)

Addiction and Recovery

• Kathy from Rochester: What does the Church think of the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous? (01/10/13)
• Nancy from Buffalo: what do recovering alcoholic priests do when they have to drink the wine/Precious Blood?
• Jason from Florida: With regards to drinking alcohol, how much is too much? When does it become sinful? How can I explain to my friends that drinking too much has a negative effect on a person's relationship with God?

Impure Spiritual Practices

• Amy, Rochester: Can Catholics use a labyrinth as a legitimate form of meditation? It seems to be a pagan practice. (01/10/13)
• What is the "creation spirituality" of Matthew Fox all about? Is this approved by the Church?
• Is the use of "affirmations" an Eastern spirituality and therefore an anti-Christian practice? (added 10/30/12)
• What is Catharism? What was St. Dominic's role in correcting this heresy?
• Can Catholics join Masonic lodges? (11/02/12)
• I've heard people use the word "gnosticism," but I don't understand why it is a problem. What does it mean? Why does the Church condemn gnosticism? (10/22/12)
• Do ghosts exist? (01/07/13)
• Can people talk with the dead? (11/29/12)
• Is the evil eye real?

New Age Religions and Spiritualities from Eastern Religions

• Andrew from Niagara Falls: What is your opinion on Yoga as exercise?

Advice for Parents

• How should parents deal with horror movies, fascination with the occult, and the general acceptance of sin in today's entertainment media?
• Paul from Kenmore: I feel overwhelmed as a parent with risks the internet poses for kids. What can I do to keep them safe? (12/20/12)
• What is the best way to prepare a child with Down Syndrome to receive Penance and Holy Communion? (02/19/13)
• Jason from Orlando: Is it good for parents to lie to their children about the existence of Santa Claus?

Liturgical Questions

• Rick's question: What is the difference between a solemnity, a feast, and a memorial? (added 10/22/12)
• Gabriel from E. Amherst: What is the origin of benediction of the Blessed Sacrament? (11/02/12)
• What kind of materials should the chalice and other sacred_vessels be made out of? What should I do if my priest uses vessels made from the wrong materials?
• Some parishes ring bells during Mass, some don't. Which is the right practice? (02/21/13)
• Aren't the bells at Mass like the voices of the angels in Revelation?
• Bonnie: Is it OK to receive Communion twice at the same Mass? (added 10/30/12)
• Can a priest dictate that people only stand to receive Communion at his church? In other words, may he prevent people from kneeling to receive Communion?
• It seems that men, in general, hate going to Church, while most women seem to enjoy it. Why is that? (01/17/13)
• Are priests who are recovering from alcoholism allowed to use grape juice at Mass? (11/15/12)
• What is the "Sunday obligation"? Who is obliged to go to Mass? What about the elderly, the sick, and travelers? When is it OK to skip Mass? (11/20/12)
• What if I only attend half of the Mass? Have I met my Sunday obligation? (12/06/12)
• Do we still have to fast 1 hour before receiving Communion? Does water or medicine break the fast? (11/15/12)
• Why do some non-Catholic Churches have a different calendar from ours? Which one of us has the real date for Christmas and Easter?
• Ty from Rochester: Why is there not a First Sunday in Ordinary time? (12/13/12)
• Chris from Texas: What are the special meanings of the priestly vestments? Amice, cincture, alb, stole, chasuble. (01/10/13)
• Chris from Texas: Why do some parishes have a crucifix on the altar facing the priest when they celebrate Mass? Thanks! (01/15/13)
• Chris from Texas: Why isn't Eucharistic Prayer I used more often by priests when they celebrate Mass? It is such a beautiful Eucharistic Prayer with a lot of meaning and symbolism.
• Chris from Texas: When can a votive mass be celebrated and what type of votive masses are there for a priest to choose from to use?
• Chris from e-mail: Is there any meaning behind a veil covering the tabernacle? I have seen veils covering tabernacles at parishes I have visited before.

Eucharist

• Diane from Rochester: I was given a strange-looking Host at Mass last week. Does the shape of the Host make any difference? (01/17/13)
• Michael from facebook: Just as we need women to bring life into the world, we need our priest to bring us the Eucharist!
• Are lay ministers allowed to run Communion services when priests or deacons are not available?
• Acts 27:33-38 describes Paul as taking bread, giving thanks to God, breaking the bread, and eating it. This sounds like the Eucharist. But then it says that "they lightened the ship by throwing the wheat into the sea." Did Paul throw away consecrated bread?
• Tom from Williamsville: If, God forbid, a priest is in mortal sin and is celebrating Mass, does that in any way affect or negate the transubstantiation of the host into the Body and Blood of our Lord? (02/05/13)
• Jim from Niagara Falls: What is the significance of the crosses made on the forehead, lips, and heart just before the reading of the gospel?
• Jenne from Facebook: Is it OK to have toys in church for small children? (01/17/13)
• May a Roman Catholic attend Mass and receive the Eucharist in Orthodox territory? (01/17/13)
• Jason from Orlando:

1.) How many times a day can you receive Communion? (01/16/13)

2.) If you receive Communion during the Saturday Vigil Mass does that count for Sunday? (01/16/13)

• Kevin: Following up on the question of how often we can receive Holy Communion... Can someone really trying to grow spiritually and/or overcome a sinful habit receive Holy Communion twice a day to receive extra spiritual benefit?
• Lisa from Buffalo: Does having a cough drop or a piece of gum to quench a cough before communion break the fast?
• Mike: I saw a person kneel to receive Communion once, and wondered why they did that. Is that allowed? (02/26/13)
• Jason from Florida: What is a healing Mass? How does it differ from a regular Mass?

Confession

• How should we prepare ourselves make a good confession? (12/20/12)
• Susan from Buffalo: How do you go to confession? What is the script to follow? (01/22/13)
• Michael from Rochester: How should we deal with leftover feelings of guilt from sins that have been confessed already?
• Scott from Rochester: What is the sin of presumption? Doesn't the Catholic sacrament of Confession encourage presumption? (02/21/13)

Marriage

• Should a divorced Methodist man get married to a Roman Catholic woman in the Methodist church because "they will accept anyone"? Would that marriage then be accepted by the Catholic Church?
• Nancy from Buffalo: What does the Church say about Catholics marrying non-Catholics? Can it be done? If so, under what conditions?
• When should Catholics refuse to attend a non-Catholic wedding ceremony?
• Why does the Catholic Church not permit divorce when almost all other Christian groups do? (01/17/13)
• What is the difference between an annulment and a divorce? Is an "annulment" just a "divorce" under a different name? (02/19/13)
• Can divorced Catholics receive Communion? (01/03/13)
• Does the Church's teaching about the murder of a spouse being an impediment to marrying the widow or widower of the murder victim apply to the case of Laertes and Gertrude in "Hamlet" or to David and Bathsheba in the Old Testament?

Baptism

• Allison from Texas: Who may baptize infants in danger of dying? Do they have to be baptized later by a priest or a deacon? (12/13/12)

Sacramental Theology

• Randolph from Hamilton, Ontario: The Catholic Church teaches that some other Churches not united to Rome (for example, the Eastern Orthodox) have a valid priesthood and therefore have the same seven sacraments as the Catholic Church. Does this apply to the Anglican (or Episcopalian) Church? (Added 10/22/12)
• What is the difference between a permanent deacon and a priest? (Added 10/30/12)
• Frank, Rochester: At the end of John chapter 6, Jesus says, "It is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life." Doesn't that mean that the Eucharist is spiritual, not physical? (11/29/12)
• If "catholic" means "universal," why can't everybody take Communion with Catholics? (11/02/12)
• Why doesn't the Church ordain women as priests? Doesn't the New Testament talk about deaconesses? Doesn't the prohibition turn all women into second-class citizens in the Church? (11/29/12)
• Why does the Roman rite make celibacy mandatory for priests? (Added 10/30/12)
• Why doesn't the Catholic Church allow priests to get married? (11/02/12)
• Who is allowed to receive the Sacrament of the Sick? May one be anointed before knee surgery? (11/15/12)

Exclusion from the Sacraments

• Sean from Ontario couldn't be confirmed because his non-Catholic wife is uncertain about baptizing and raising the children as Catholics. Is that the right thing for Sean's priest to do?

Extraordinary Form of the Mass

• Tim from Buffalo: What are the differences between between the Traditional Latin and the Mass we usually attend?

Catholic Universities

• John from Webster: What is a "mandatum"? Is the mandatum a legal Church document, or Church contract an educator agrees to and signs when presented by the local bishop (diocese)? What effect has the mandatum had on keeping Catholic schools Catholic?

- Do Catholic Universities/ Colleges Boards of Directors or the Presidents of the schools cooperate, facilitate, or prevent this contract coming into existence?

- Have local bishops given up requiring this?

- Are teachers in Catholic elementary and high schools required to have a diocesan mandatum?

• Kevin from Buffalo: I attend a Catholic school. What should I do when the truth is not taught by my teachers? (11/29/12)
• Have we lost the purpose of Catholic education today? (11/02/12)
• Anonymous: Dear Father, I go to a Catholic University that has a large Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgendered Student organization that is funded by the university. What is the rationale for why an organization that is so against Catholic teaching is allowed and funded by a Catholic University? Is there something I should do about the situation? Thank you!

Mary

• John from Webster: What are the Seven Sorrows of Mary? (11/02/12)
• Why do Eastern Christians call Mary "Theotokos"? (added 10/22/12)
• Does the fact that the New Testament says Jesus had brothers mean that Mary did not remain a virgin after His birth? (11/29/12)
• Marsha from West Seneca: How can I explain Mary as the Mother of God to a non-Catholic? Is it in Scripture? (01/10/13)
• Kathryn: How did Mary come to be referred to as the "Star of the Sea"? Etymology of "Mary." (01/15/13)

Rosary

• Kathleen from Rochester: We should pray the rosary for success in battle against the radical Muslins, just as the Church did during the Battle of Lepanto.

Angels

• John from Williamsville: How do angels do battle against humans? They do not have bodies. How do they war against each other? (Added 10/22/12)
• Are parts of cities under the dominion of Satan? (11/02/12)
• Can people talk with their guardian angels? (Added 10/30/12)
• Joseph from Buffalo: Can Angels read minds? What are the consequences if the devil can also read minds? (01/15/13)
• Betty: Does God need the angels? Wouldn't the existence and activity of angels take glory away from God? (01/16/13)
• Andrew on Facebook: Could there be any connections between the "personal gods" that people and families invoke in ancient cultures? The book, God: A Biography, suggested this might be the case.
• Fr Mark Noonan from Tonwanda: How close are the angels to us?
• Are all angels masculine? Are there any female angels? (12/20/12)

What is an angel?

• What does the word "angel" mean?
• Are angels "persons"?
• Do angels have free will?
• Do angels live in time?
• When were angels created?
• Can an angel repent of sin and be forgiven?
• Can angels move physical things?
• Can angels work miracles?
• Can angels appear on earth?
• Do angels have wings and halos?
• How do angels move from one place to another?
• How do angels know?
• Do angels have feelings?
• Do all Catholics have to believe that angels exist?
• How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?
• Do angels sing?
• Do angels play musical instruments?
• How does angelic union compare to marital union?
• What are the nine choirs of angels?
• Why are the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael called "saints"?
• Bob from Cheektowaga: What is the chaplet of St. Michael?

Was there really a war among the angels?

• How do angels fight a war?
• Why does God let devils exist?
• Was the serpent an angel?
• What does the word "Satan" mean?
• What does the word "devil" mean?
• Does the devil really cause people to sin?
• Can the devil really take possession of people?

Does everyone have a guardian angel?

• Does my guardian angel have a name?
• Is it OK for me to give my guardian angel an name?
• Do the angels love us?
• Are the angels happy?
• Is it OK to pray to the angels?

Why was St. Thomas called "The Angelic Doctor"?

• Did he see angels?
• Did he have a special devotion to the angels?
• What was his "proof" for the existence of angels?

Extra angel questions

• Do the people whom we love become our angels when they die?
• Have you ever seen an angel?
• Do you pray to the angels?
• Why do we call Our Lady the "Queen of Angels"?
• What are "genies"?

The Last Things

Second Coming of Jesus

• Andy from Buffalo: My eighth-graders have lots of questions about the end of the world and the book of Revelation. What should I tell them? (01/03/13)

Death

• Justin from e-mail: Do the dead feel the pain of separation from the living as we feel the pain of being separated from them? If so, is this part of their suffering in Purgatory? (02/21/13)

Heaven

• Susanne from Rochester: What will the New Jerusalem will be like? (12/13/12)
• Ann from Orchard Park: How can I explain Heaven to my son if it is a state of being and not a place? (02/05/13)

Purgatory

• Ben from Buffalo: Do the souls in Purgatory know they will be saved? (02/07/13)
• Jim from Buffalo: Is there any way to know if someone for whom I have been praying for a long time has been released from Purgatory?
• Kathy from Buffalo: What is the "temporal punishment due to sin" that is inflicted on souls in Purgatory?

Indulgences

• Amy from Facebook: Must you receive communion on the same day you seek a plenary indulgence or can it be from communion you received days prior?
• Chris: What are the conditions for gaining a plenary indulgence?

Hell

• Rick from Grand Island: In Crossing the Threshold of Hope, John Paul II wrote: "There is a destination to eternal damnation as well, which consists in the ultimate rejection of God, the ultimate break of the communion with the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit...Eternal damnation is certainly proclaimed in the Gospel. To what degree is it realized in life beyond the grave? This is, ultimately, a great mystery (pg. 72-73)." On Culture Talks: The Pope made a statement that there is a hell, but can't be sure there are people there.
• Sam from Buffalo: Why does the Apostle's Creed say, "He descended into hell"? We got into a discussion about Heaven and Hell being spiritual states, not physical locations.

Saints

• Christina: Are Catholics the only ones who have saints whose bodies are incorrupt? (10/22/12)
• Are we obliged to believe in all of the visions and all of the writings of the saints? They are perfect, aren't they? Doesn't that mean that there is no error in what they taught? (12/06/12)
• Barbara from Kenmore: At a Jesuit parish, the priests gave a blessing with the relics of a saint after Mass was over. Is it appropriate to do that? It seems as though doing so would detract from the greatest possible graces just give in Holy Communion.
• Question from anonymous: What is the best way to pray to the saints?

Development of Doctrine

• What does the Catholic Church mean by the words "Holy Trinity." Is that phrase found in the Scriptures? (Added 10/22/12)
• Has Catholic doctrine changed over the centuries, or hasn't it? In particular, did Vatican II change the teaching of the Church? (11/29/12)
• Wasn't the Body of Christ really simple in the beginning, with no rules or rulers? Hasn't the Catholic Church betrayed Jesus by inventing all kinds of things not found in the Scriptures? (11/29/12)
• Dan from Akron: Why are the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed so different? (02/19/13)
• Tom from Webster: Why do Christians today ignore the commandment in Acts chapter 15 which prohibits eating the blood of animals?
• Emile, a Muslim, from Buffalo: "How much power does the Church have to change Biblical law?"
• Why does the Church call those who disagree with her teaching "heretics"? Didn't Jesus say not to pass judgment on others?
• Gloria from Rochester: "What does the word 'dogmatic' mean?" (12/13/12)
• Jason from Orlando: "Is there a difference between the word 'doctrine' and the word 'dogma'?"
• Jason from Orlando: My understanding of the decision of the Council of Jerusalem (described in Acts 15) is that it determined that under the New Covenant, Gentile (non-Jewish) converts to Christianity are not bound by Mosaic Law regarding things like circumcision, dietary laws, and observance of the Sabbath.
  • First, am I understanding Acts 15 correctly?
  • Second, are Jews who become Christians bound by Mosaic Law?
  • Third, is the decision in Acts 15 not to impose Mosaic law on Gentile converts a legitimate defense for observing Sunday as "the Day of the Lord," that is, the primary day of worship, prayer, and rest, instead of Saturday, which is the seventh day of the week for the Jews, the day that God commanded to be kept holy.

Catholic Understanding of God

Existence and Attributes of God

• Carol from Depew: Her 5 year old grand-daughter wants to know "who made God?"

Trinity

• Gerald from Rochester: Are the persons of the Trinity "distinct ways of being"? (02/21/13)
• Diane from Rochester: Do the persons of the blessed trinity worship each other?

Old Testament History

• David from Lackawana: Did the United Kingdom of Israel break up during King Solomon's reign?
• Brendan in Amherst: How was Jewish society run if there wasn't a King after the Babylonian Captivity in 586 BC? Did it become a theocracy? (01/15/13)
• Ed from Rochester: Did Abraham know that he would not be required to kill Isaac?

Church history

• Dave: Was the Church born when Jesus died on the Cross (blood and water from His side) or on the day of Pentecost? (Added 10/26/12)
• Why did the Jews reject Jesus? Weren't they waiting for a Christ? (Added 10/22/12)
• Rick from Grand Island: Why do languages go dead? Why isn't Latin spoken today as it was in the patristic era? (01/03/13)

Faith and Reason

• Should Christians try to prove the articles of faith by reason alone? If someone seeks scientific evidence for the resurrection, wouldn't that mean that the resurrection was not a miracle? If science could explain the resurrection, then it would seem that the resurrection is something natural rather than something supernatural. (11/29/12)
• Emmanuel from Rochester: Are faith and reason opposed to each other? Isn't someone who just believes what they are told a better person than someone who wants explanations and arguments in favor of the faith? (11/15/12)
• Daniel: Can you have wisdom without a lot of intelligence? (11/02/12)
• How does St. Thomas Aquinas understand the relationship between faith and reason? (Natural theology vs. revealed truths.) (Added 10/22/12)
• Bob from Boston, NY: What did Thomas Aquinas mean by "Lifeless Faith"? (Nature and Grace ix.i.iv.iv).

Catholicism and Science

• Why did the Church condemn Galileo? Is the Church opposed to science? (12/20/12)
• Will from North Carolina: What does the Church teach about aliens? If they exist, are they, too, saved by Jesus' death on the Cross? (01/16/13)

Catholicism and the Arts

• John from Buffalo: The Michelangelo sculpture "Pieta" portrays our Blessed Mother holding her son across her lap as she sits on a rock. What does "pieta" mean?

Priests

• Anna from Rochester: When speaking to a priest, should people use the priest's first name or his last name? In other words, should people say "Father Marty" or "Father Moleski"?

Religious life

• Ed from Rochester: Why are there so many religious orders in the Catholic Church? Shouldn't all Catholics have the same way of life? (added 10/22/12)

Suffering

• Phil from Medina: Why do bad things happen to good people?
• Why did Jesus have to suffer? (01/16/13)
• If Jesus' suffering is all-sufficient, why do we have to suffer?
• Christopher Janiak: Why do some animals experience pain if they aren't guilty of original sin? (01/10/13)

Abortion

• Josh from South Buffalo: What can we say to someone who claims that the embryo is not a human until there's brain activity?
• Scott from Rochester: What would you say to a woman who's had an abortion? What type of Penance would you give?
• Tim from Buffalo: What are the differences between between the Traditional Latin and the Mass we usually attend?

Miracles

• Kevin from Buffalo: It seems that very few Catholics today investigate and verify miracles (for acceptance or dismissal), leaving it almost entirely up to atheists. Outside of canonization procedures, of course, but those aren't really public."

Catholic Ethics

General principles

• Mary from Clarence: Why does the Church say that 'the end doesn't justify the means'? (12/13/12)

Catholic Medical Ethics

• Mike from Webster: What does the Church teach about organ donation and transplants? Is it OK to sign the organ donor form on our driver's license? Is it OK to accept an organ transplant? (01/22/13)

Suicide vs. Accepting Death

• Cathy from Buffalo: Her eleven-year-old grandson asks, 'What if you threw yourself in front of a bullet or a car to save someone, but you knew you'd die as a result. Is that alright? (12/14/12)

Entertainment and Ethics

• John from Webster: Is it possible to watch a horror movie that portrays evil activities just for entertainment? Or does attendance at the movie mean that the viewer is supporting the work of evil spirits? (01/15/13)

Natural Family Planning

• Jason from Florida: A friend was defending the Church's teaching about the intrinsic evil of artificial contraception when talking with some Protestants, who said that this teaching wasn't found in Scripture. Is there a scriptural basis that can be used to support the Church's teaching on this matter? How can we explain it to non-Catholic Christians who believe in sola scriptura?

Prophecy

• John from Wilson: What is the difference between psychics and prophets? (01/10/13)

Islam

• Why has there been so much war between Muslims and Christians? Why did Christians think that God would be pleased with the Crusades? (02/21/13)
• What books would be helpful in learning more about the history of Catholicism and Islam? (01/17/13)

Patriotism

• Kathrine from Byron: Is it ever taking the Lord's name in vain to say "God bless America"? Will God always hear our prayer for our country?

Protestants vs. Catholics

• Why can't Catholics take communion in Protestant services? Aren't we all supposed to love one another? (01/03/13)
• Cecil from Buffalo: Why don't Protestants believe in Mary like we do?
• Why do Protestants and Catholics have a different list of the 10 commandments? For Protestants, the first commandment is "I am the Lord Your God." The second commandment is, "You shall make no graven images." For Catholics, the first commandment is, "I am the Lord your God; you shall have no other gods before me." The second Catholic commandment is, "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord your God in vain." At the end, Protestants have only one coveting commandment that deals with coveting both spouses and goods; Catholics have two separate commandments about not coveting.
• Bonnie from Lancaster: What are people talking about when they say "you must be born again"?

Forgiving our enemies

• How can we forgive people who have done real evil to us? Does Jesus require us to "forgive and forget"? (12/14/12)

Precepts of the Church

• I've heard that there are precepts of the Church. What does that mean and what are they? (01/10/13)
• Are Catholics really required to attend Mass on Sunday? (12/14/12)

Cooperation with Antagonists of the Church

• John in Tonawanda: Would it be improper for Catholics to attend a festival promoted by a Hellenic Orthodox Church? (01/16/13)
• Leo from Rochester: should we boycott corporations who promote Planned Parenthood and/or same-sex marriage? (02/05/13)
• Should Catholics buy the Harry Potter books or watch the movies? Since the author is clearly against many teachings of the Church, isn't it wrong for Catholics to endorse her work in any way?

Protestant Questions

• From a set of apologetic flash cards by Ascension Press. The cards have short answers on the back for these questions.

• Do Catholics think, "I can sin today, and go to confession tomorrow"?

• Some Protestant friends say, "At every Catholic Mass, Jesus is sacrificed again and again." Does Jesus die at each Mass? How can Jesus die more than once?

• If Catholics literally eat Jesus' flesh, doesn't that make them cannibals?

• Why do call Mary the "Mother of God" when they say the "Hail Mary"? Isn't Mary just Jesus' human mother?

• Matthew 13:55-56 proves that Jesus had brothers and sisters. That means that the Catholic Church is wrong in thinking that Mary was "ever-virgin."

• The fact that Mary calls God her "Savior" means that she must have sinned--and that, in turn, means that Catholics are wrong to call her "Immaculate."

• The Bible does not call Mary "Queen of Heaven." Why do Catholics use that non-Scriptural title?

• Why do Catholics have priests? All Christians are priests. In 1 Peter 2:9 it says, "You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood."

• Jesus said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan" in Matthew 16:23. How could Peter be the rock on which the Church is built if he is Satan?

• Peter was not infallible. Galatians 2:11-12 says that Peter was "clearly in the wrong" because he stopped eating meals with the Gentils in order to please the Jews.

• Even if Peter had some authority among the first apostles, there is no Scriptural evidence that he passed his authority on to later popes.

• Purgatory is not necessary. You're either saved or not saved.

• St. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:8 that to be away from the body is to be at home with the Lord. Christians go straight to Heaven after death. There is no purgatory.

• Do Catholics think that Purgatory gives them a second chance to be saved? (01/16/13)

• Catholics distort the Scriptures. It says in 1 John 5:13 that we can know we have eternal life. As a Protestant, I have "blessed assurance" that I am saved. Catholics don't understand this gospel truth. Once you are saved, you are saved forever.

• Catholics count the commandments differently from Protestants. They took out the commandment against "graven images" because they worship statues.

• Why do Catholics teach things that are not in the Bible? Colossians 2:8 says not to follow "the traditions of men." (12/14/12)

• A baby can't give his heart to Jesus. How can he be baptized? (02/19/13)

Catholicism Answer Book

I've modified some of these questions and added some extra questions.

John Trigilio and Kenneth D. Brighenti, The Catholicism Answer Book: The 300 Most Frequently Asked Questions.

1. How do we know there is a God?

2. Is God male or female?

-. Why do some people refer to the Church as "she"?

3. Why is the Holy Trinity not three gods?

4. Does the Catholic Church teach that the world was created in 6 days?

-. If Catholics believe that God is the Creator, doesn't that mean they are forbidden to believe in evolution?

6. Did God make evil? If God didn't make evil, who did? (01/17/13)

9. From "It's a Wonderful Life": Do humans turn into angels when they earn their wings?

10. If God created Eve from Adam's rib, then why do men have the same number of ribs as women?

--. Why would eating an apple be a sin? If God left the forbidden apples where Adam and Eve could get them, isn't sin God's fault?

25. Was Jesus really born on December 25? (01/03/13)

26. Was Jesus God or human?

30. Did Jesus know who He was and where He came from?

36. Could Jesus sin? If not, what is the significance of Jesus being tempted in the desert?

56. Why don't Catholics believe in reincarnation? (01/17/13)

64. Can a priest ever refuse to give absolution? (01/10/13)

66. What determines whether someone is named a saint? (01/03/13)

67. Are Catholics born-again (Jn 3:3-7)? If they are not, aren't they all going to Hell? (01/03/13)

84. What if my sins are always the same? Should I stop going to Confession because I lack true contrition for sin?

90. Can someone be anointed if they are already dead?

--. Can someone be baptized if they are dead?

--. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:29: "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?" Can someone be baptized for someone else who is dead?

91. What is the difference between deacons, priests, and bishops? Are they just three different names for the same thing?

99. Can Catholics be married outdoors?

---. What does the word "Mass" mean?

123. Can the faithful bless their own homes? (01/10/13)

150. The internet is used to promote sin and crime. Shouldn't all good Christians boycott the internet in order to avoid cooperating with evil?

152. Has the Church changed its teaching on capital punishment? If it did, doesn't that prove that the Church is not infallible?

157. What is wrong with in vitro fertilization? (01/03/13)

158. Why does the Church object to the use of embryonic stem cells for research? Is the Church against science? Doesn't it want to heal diseases?

167. If someone's parents were abusive or alcoholic or drug-addicted, do they still have to honor them?

---. The Catholic Church teaches that there is a difference between venial sins and mortal sins. How much can I sin without offending God too much?

186. God is all-powerful. No one can oppose His will. He cannot be changed. So why should we pray? What difference does it make? Won't God do whatever He wants anyway? (02/19/13)

197. Why do Catholic churches and monasteries have bell towers? Why do some Churches ring bells during the Mass? (01/16/13)

222. What was the purpose of the Inquisition? (01/22/13)

237. Do all priests take a vow of poverty? (01/16/13)

247. Why do Catholic churches have crucifixes while Protestant churches have crosses? Aren't Catholics "crucifying Jesus again"? (01/16/13)

248. If an Anglican priest converts to Catholicism, does he have to be ordained by the Catholic Church? (01/10/13)

288. What is Opus Dei? (01/03/13)

Eastern Catholic Traditions

• The Catholic Church is composed of many distinct Churches. The Roman Catholic Church is associated with the West and with the Latin or Roman rite. How does it differ from the Eastern Catholic Churches?
• Can Roman Catholics take communion in one of the Eastern Catholic Churches?
• John from Irvine, CA: Are Latin Rite Catholics allowed to pray to Eastern Rite Catholic Saints like one of my favorites, St. Charbel?

Spiritual Reading

• Chris from e-mail: What are some good books for a young adult to read in order to help them grow in understanding and practicing our faith?

Discernment

• Kevin from Stoughton, Mass.: What does "discernment" mean? What practical steps can one take to become good at discernment?

Vocations

• What does the church mean by the word "vocation"? How do people know whether they have a vocation?
• Dominic: Good afternoon, Father. I was wondering I was wondering how a priest goes into an order. Do they go to special seminaries (like a Jesuit seminary, Franciscan seminary, etc?), or do they go into one after they're Ordained? What happens after a priest joins an order? Does the order tell them where to go and what they'll be doing? Thanks so much!

Parish Life

• Steve from Boston: I belong to a parish that seems more Protestant than Catholic. What can I do to fix it? I would love to hear suggestions from someone who has had some success in parish renewal.

Virtues and Vices

• Betty from Buffalo: Can you define Spiritual Sloth? Can you give some examples and ways to overcome it? Thanks!

Schisms and Schismatics

• Marybeth from Buffalo: What is the relationship between the Church and the Society of Pius X? Which of their sacraments are valid? Can Roman Catholics attend a Mass said by a priest from the Society of St. Pius X and take Communion with them?