Rahner and Relativism Question: Pope Benedict has responded to his critics who claim that his letter about the origin of the sexual crisis among the clergy does not present the true picture. He attributes much of it to the relativism in … [Read more...]
Questions Answered – May 2021
May 7, 2021 by Fr. Brian Mullady, OP
Question: Why do priests hear confessions during Mass? Doesn’t this detract from the spiritual involvement in all the aspects of the sacrifice? Answer: The questioner seems very upset that two sacraments are going on at the same time and … [Read more...]
Questions Answered – April 2021
March 26, 2021 by Fr. Brian Mullady, OP
Evils and Euphemisms Question: In public statements and debate with the promoters of the killing of unborn human beings, shouldn’t the euphemisms “abort, abortion” be avoided? It understates the horror of elective child murder. It sanit … [Read more...]
Questions Answered – March 2021
February 25, 2021 by Fr. Brian Mullady, OP
Is Moral Truth Always Objective? Question: Can a Catholic accept proportionalism in morals? Hans Kung and many other theologians did in the 70s and 80s. There are still moralists who think it is true. Answer: There has been a concerted a … [Read more...]
Questions Answered – January 2021
January 14, 2021 by Fr. Brian Mullady, OP
What Does It Mean to Judge? Question: When can we and when can we not judge? Answer: “Judge not, lest you be judged.” (Mt. 7:1) This text is the origin of much handwringing on the part of Christians about judging others. As a confessor, … [Read more...]
Questions Answered – December 2020
November 25, 2020 by Fr. Brian Mullady, OP
Joseph and the Virginal Conception Question: What was Joseph’s state of mind when he knew for certain that Mary was with child? I cannot believe he doubted her purity, despite the reality before him. Answer: This is a very important q … [Read more...]
Questions Answered – November 2020
November 13, 2020 by Fr. Brian Mullady, OP
A Scrupulous Conscience Question: I suffer from OCD and scrupulosity. What is the best thing to do about confession? I keep making General Confessions and I still have many doubts. It is ruining my spiritual life. My confessor said never … [Read more...]
Questions Answered – October 2020
October 16, 2020 by Fr. Brian Mullady, OP
The Question of Gluten-Free Hosts Question: Are the following valid matter for the Eucharist: grape juice or gluten-free hosts? Answer: I am astonished at how many questions I get about what constitutes valid matter for the Eucharist. … [Read more...]
Questions Answered — September 2020
September 22, 2020 by Fr. Brian Mullady, OP
Explaining Intinction Question: What is intinction? Why is it practiced? Is a concelebrating priest who does it celebrating Mass? Answer: The practice of intinction involves the priest taking the Sacred Host from the paten or ciborium, … [Read more...]
Questions Answered — August 2020
September 7, 2020 by Fr. Brian Mullady, OP
The Obedience of Christ Question: Did Christ vacillate in his perfect obedience when he said, “If it is possible, let this cup pass me by”? Would this not compromise the atonement? Answer: The atonement is a concept which is much mis … [Read more...]
Questions Answered – June 2020
June 24, 2020 by Fr. Brian Mullady, OP
Absence of God? Question: Pope Emeritus Benedict published a letter last year in which he attributed the pedophilia crisis in the clergy to an absence of God. Our Church and clergy are wholly dedicated to God, right? Can you explain how … [Read more...]
Questions Answered – March 2020
March 20, 2020 by Fr. Brian Mullady, OP
Last Rites for the Clinically Dead? Question: Is it possible to perform the sacrament of the sick on someone who has been pronounced clinically dead? If so, up to how long after clinical death can this sacrament be performed? Answer: … [Read more...]
Questions Answered – February 2020
February 10, 2020 by Fr. Brian Mullady, OP
Purgatory and Filthy Lucre Question: I teach RCIA and a catechumen in my class said he was taught that Catholics dreamed up Purgatory as a way to get money from people. I know Purgatory is referred to in Maccabees and responded that … [Read more...]
Questions Answered – January 2020
January 26, 2020 by Fr. Brian Mullady, OP
Infallibility and Canonization Question: Pope Francis recently canonized Pope Paul VI and Oscar Romero. Can you explain to me how canonization relates to the infallibility of the Pope? Answer: This is an important question because the … [Read more...]
Questions Answered for December 2019
December 28, 2019 by Fr. Brian Mullady, OP
What Are Cardinals? Question: There has been a lot of controversy in the Church in the last year about how Theodore McCarrick could have risen to the rank of cardinal. What is the function of the College of Cardinals? Answer: Though … [Read more...]
Recent Comments