TCA Question & Answer of the Day

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.

For the Week of May 31-June 4, 2010

Question of the Day for Friday, June 4, 2010

Protestant funerals

Q. A priest I know has a relative who is not Catholic, so that when she dies she will have a Protestant funeral service. Can the priest attend? Can he participate in the service?

Hugh Sweeney, via e-mail

A. Here’s a reply from OSV columnist Msgr. M. Francis Mannion:

Christian charity and the ecumenical norms of the Church dictate that the priest may indeed attend a non-Catholic funeral service.

While he cannot lead such a service or participate in any eucharistic features of the service, he may read a Scripture passage, lead a prayer or add some words to those given by the Protestant minister.

By the same logic, a Protestant minister may participate in the same elements of a Catholic funeral.

Question of the Day for Thursday, June 3, 2010

Fast and Abstinence

Q. Could you please give me the source to which I can refer about the Church’s teaching on abstinence; specifically about not eating meat on Fridays and the substitute sacrifice you can make instead?

— Andrea Guerrette

A. Here’s a reply from Father Reginald Martin:

Church law is contained in the Code of Canon Law, which was revised in 1983. The Code’s remarks on penitential practices are very clear: “Abstinence from eating meat or some other food according to the prescripts of the conference of bishops is to be observed on every Friday of the year unless a Friday occurs on a day listed as a solemnity” (Canon 1251). However, the Code continues, “The conference of bishops can determine more precisely the observance of fast and abstinence as well as substitute other forms of penance, especially works of charity and exercises of piety, in whole or in part, for abstinence and fast” (Canon 1253).

We may think of abstinence solely as personal self-denial, but the Code’s introduction to the subject reminds us that times of penance, no less than the Church’s feast days, are occasions for “binding all the faithful in virtue of divine law … in order to promote common observance of penance” (following Canon 1249). The Catechism of the Catholic Church expands this idea, reminding us that fasting, together with prayer and almsgiving, are the primary expression of an individual’s “interior penance,” by which we “express conversion in relation to oneself, to God, and to others” (No. 1434). 

Question of the Day for Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Declaration of Independence

Q. How many Catholics signed the American Declaration of Independence?

A. Here’s a reply from TCA columnist Father Ray Ryland, Ph.D., J.D:

Only one of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence is identified as a Catholic in a list of short biographies of each of the signers. He was Charles Carroll, a member of the famous Maryland family of John Carroll, the first Catholic bishop in this country. Charles Carroll was the last survivor of the signers of the Declaration. He died in 1832 at the age of 96. For information about each of the signers you may consult www.ushistory.org/declaration/signers.

Question of the Day for Tuesday June 1, 2010

Divorced and Dating?

Q. I have a daughter who is recently divorced. She was married in the Catholic Church and has three children. She is pursuing an annulment. Currently, she is dating, and it seems quite serious. She does not live with this man. Is it wrong or sinful for her to date, as she does not have an annulment, and she may not get one?

A. Here is a reply from Father Francis Hoffman, J.C.D.:

Divorce is very sad, but we have to deal with it. Until your daughter receives a declaration of nullity about her first marriage, she should not keep company with another man because in the Church "marriage enjoys the favor of the law." That means, until there is an annulment, we presume the first marriage is valid. Objectively, her behavior is wrong.

This can be very difficult advice to give, and even more difficult to receive. But whenever I've counseled cases such as these, I have firmly encouraged people to trust in the wisdom of the Church and choose the higher road. In every case, things have worked out splendidly because the people in question showed humility and faith and trusted in God and the wisdom of the Church. They received annulments, are now happily married with children and, more importantly, very close to Jesus Christ. Trust in the Lord!

Question of the Day for Monday, May 31, 2010

Alternative Uses of the Rosary

Q. I’ve seen people wear a rosary around their neck or hang one from the rear view mirror of their car. Is this type of display acceptable?

A. Here’s a reply from Father Reginald Martin: 

Church law defines sacramentals as “sacred signs” that achieve certain effects “through the intercession of the Church” (Code of Canon Law, Canon 1166). The Rosary is among these signs, and many benefits are attached to its prayerful use. 

Rosaries are part of many religious habits, and the laity has traditionally been encouraged to imitate this devotion by carrying a rosary on their person. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (quoting a document of Vatican II) remarks, “There is scarcely any proper use of material things which cannot be thus directed toward the sanctification of men and the glory of God” (No. 1670). The key words in this observation are “proper use,” which depends on the disposition and intention of the person performing the act.  

Wearing a rosary as a necklace may be a worthy practice, if it reflects the devotion of the person who wears it. Likewise, hanging a rosary from an auto mirror can be praiseworthy if it reminds the driver of God’s presence and watchful care. However, the acts are blasphemous — that is, demonstrating lack of respect for God “and sacred things” (see Catechism, No. 2148) — if the rosary is used merely as decoration, or if a driver superstitiously believes its display a substitute for safe driving.