Each weekday, you'll find a new question and answer. Check back for the new question and scroll down to see previous day's entries! Let us know what you think - - or question! -- by emailing us at tcanswer@osv.com.
Communion Question
Q. A relative of mine and her husband left the Catholic Church over twenty years ago. They have chosen to raise all eight of their children as non-denominational Christians. My relative is a beautiful Christian woman whom I highly respect.
When she and her family come together with the Roman Catholic side of our family for a special occasion, she will attend Mass and also receive the Holy Eucharist. I asked her if she believes the Eucharist to be the Body and Blood of Jesus; she replied yes. Some in my family have no problem with this situation. Personally, I find it troubling.
What does the Church think? Is it okay for her to receive the Eucharist as long as she believes, or is it considered a grave sin? If it is wrong, would her actions be justified if she had left the Catholic Church out of obedience to her husband?
N.N., via email
A. Here’s a reply from TCA columnist Father Francis Hoffman, J.C.D.:
A. In order to receive the Holy Eucharist in the Catholic Church (outside of extraordinary circumstances, which this situation, as you describe it, is not), a person must have attained the age of the use of reason; must not be conscious of unconfessed mortal sin; and must have kept the one-hour fast from food and beverage.
To receive Holy Communion in the Catholic Church is also to state that you believe all that the Catholic Church confesses. If that is the case, then you should be a Catholic.
Let’s recall that receiving the Eucharist is not a means of forging unity, but a sign that unity has been achieved. Apparently, your relative has severed herself from the Catholic Church, and for that reason she must abstain from Communion. Meanwhile, keep in mind that it is precisely her longing for Communion (of which she is now duly deprived) which may eventually bring her back to the Church.
Whether it would be a grave sin for her to receive Holy Communion largely depends on the formation of her conscience. In any case, objectively, she is not to receive. Even if she left the Church out of obedience to her husband, her reception of Holy Communion would not be justified. Her fidelity to Christ and His one true Church should take priority over everything else.
Sacramental vs. Civil Marriage?
Q. Can the Church perform a purely sacramental marriage which it would recognize without concerning itself with the legal documents for the courts? It seems to me that the concept of marriage has been distorted by the legal precepts and material rights protected in legal, contractual marriage processes.
A recent question you answered involved two elderly people want to live together but would lose their pension, health benefits, etc., if they marry. It is clear the Church recognizes that there is such a thing as a legal marriage that is not a sacramental marriage, so that the marriage is not recognized as valid by the Church. It is also clear the legal system does not recognize any requirement for a sacramental marriage.
If this is possible, then can every priest perform the marriage sacrament, allowing these two people to live together without the Church having to concern itself with the legal concept of a marriage?
As a side comment, it seems to me this is the core issue with so-called “same-sex marriage” and multiple divorce/remarriages. The legal contract can exist in a society, but it is not sacramental, so the Church cannot recognize it as valid. At some point it would seem best to just say the Church will perform a sacramental marriage but the couple would be required to do the legal contract paperwork and process if they want it.
N.N., Valdosta, Ga.
A. We’ve received several letters asking essentially the same question about this matter. I consulted TCA columnist Father Francis Hoffman, J.C.D., who in turn consulted several of his fellow canonists. Here is his reply.
A “secret marriage” without civil effects, or an “extraordinary form” celebration of marriage without civil effects, could be allowed by the local bishop on a case-by-case basis. But currently in the U.S. the bishops have deemed it imprudent to do so. My sense is that it would be illegal according to various state laws throughout the U.S., and for that reason the bishops hesitate. (In some states it could be a Class 4 Felony to marry a couple without a marriage license.)
The priest is not allowed to perform/witness such a marriage without the approval of the bishop. (The relevant canons are Canons 22, 1672 and 1059.)
According to one source, last January the bishops of Germany began allowing couples to have a Church wedding only, in which case the couple must sign a document acknowledging what they are doing and their understanding that such a ceremony has no civil effects. However, I haven’t yet been unable to confirm that report.
How to Get off Mailing Lists?
Q. This is a rather practical question. For some reason, if you donate to a Catholic group or subscribe to a Catholic periodical, you become flooded with requests for donations from all types of Catholic organizations. How can you get your name taken off the list?
The Post Office says that it does no good to “return to sender,” because they just throw it in the dead letter bin. If you write and ask that your name be taken off a particular mailing, it isn’t effective either. Tell me: Is there some way to get your name off the list?
P.C., via email
A. I asked a personal friend with professional experience in this field to address your question. Here’s his reply:
This is a difficult issue. Your reader is correct. The Catholic marketplace, particularly funding, is driven by direct mail efforts, and these efforts are successful in funding their causes. Publishers of books and magazines find this to be a good way of reaching their marketplace also.
Most if not all Catholic publications, as well as charities, colleges, and other nonprofits, sell or exchange their mailing lists to help offset their ongoing rising costs. Once you are on someone’s list, you are potentially exposing yourself to a Catholic marketing pool.
I too am plagued with far too many offers via the mail. What I have found to be somewhat successful is this: I ask, firmly, each time that I use a Mass card, send a donation or subscribe to a publication, not to be put on their mailing list. I use words like these: “Please do not add me to your mailing list. If I continue to receive offers I will choose to support other efforts.”
It seems to have helped but has not stopped the mail completely. Your readers may also want to write a personal note to the circulation manager or development office of the publication or charity. I believe this would also help, but it will take some time and effort on his or her part.
Hope this helps.
Plenary Indulgence for Year for Priests?
Q. I heard that Pope Benedict XVI recently declare a worldwide “Year for Priests” within the Church. Will there be any special indulgences offered as there were for other special years, such as the Year of St. Paul, the Year of the Eucharist and the Jubilee Year 2000?
M.D., Durham, N.C.
A. The worldwide Year for Priests, which will begin June 19 and last a year, will indeed feature special indulgences. The decree declaring the indulgence was made public on May 12 by officials of the Apostolic Penitentiary.
Priests can gain a plenary indulgence by praying lauds or vespers before the Blessed Sacrament exposed to public adoration or in the tabernacle. In addition, they must “offer themselves with a ready and generous heart for the celebration of the sacraments, especially the sacrament of penance.” This plenary indulgence, which under current norms must be accompanied by sacramental confession, the Eucharist and praying for the intentions of the Holy Father, can also be applied to deceased priests.
Priests may also gain a partial indulgence, which is also applicable to deceased priests, each time they “devotedly recite the prayers duly approved to lead a saintly life and to carry out the duties entrusted to them.”
The faithful can gain a plenary indulgence on the opening and closing days of the Year for Priests (June 19); on the 150th anniversary of the death of St. Jean-Marie Vianney, patron saint of parish priests (August 4); on the first Thursday of the month during the Year for Priests; or on any other day established by the ordinaries of particular places for the good of the faithful.
To gain the indulgence the faithful must attend Mass in an oratory or church and offer prayers to “Jesus Christ, supreme and eternal Priest, for the priests of the Church, or perform any good work to sanctify and mould them to his heart.” They must also receive sacramental Confession and pray for the intentions of the Pope, as is customary for plenary indulgences.
The elderly, the sick and all those who for any legitimate reason are unable to leave their homes may obtain the plenary indulgence if, with the intention of observing the usual three conditions as soon as they can, “on the days concerned, they pray for the sanctification of priests and offer their sickness and suffering to God through Mary, Queen of the Apostles.”
The faithful can obtain a partial indulgence when they repeat five times the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be, or any other duly approved prayer “in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to ask that priests maintain purity and sanctity of life.”
Proof of Papal Fallibility?
Q. A Catholic I know stated that an act by Pope Julius II, which required the alleged purchase of indulgences, is proof that papal infallibility does not exist. Can you please give me more information about this alleged act, and how to respond to this claim against papal infallibility?
S.Z., Bayport, Minn.
A. Here’s a reply from TCA columnist Father Ray Ryland, Ph.D., J.D.:
This statement about Pope Julius II is false. He neither required nor approved the purchase of indulgences. The facts are these.
In 1517 Pope Julius II bestowed a plenary indulgence on all persons who went to confession, received the Eucharist and made a contribution (any amount, according to what they could afford) toward the building of St. Peter’s basilica. Johan Tetzel, a well-known Dominican priest, radically distorted the Church’s teaching about indulgences by practically offering them for sale.
He was immediately contradicted by Church authorities (Cardinal Cajetan, for one). What Tetzel advocated would have been a clear case of simony (see Acts 8:18-22), a serious sin.
Is it possible your informant is simply looking for reasons to deny papal infallibility, and is grasping at any straw he finds in anti-Catholic propaganda? Pray for him.
Catholic Faith Resources | For Catholic Parishes | Order OSV Products | RSS | Advertise | About Us | Contact Us | Jobs Copyright © 1996-2012, Our Sunday Visitor, Inc. All rights reserved. Copyright information | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy