Msgr. Charles Pope is the pastor of Holy Comforter-St. Cyprian in Washington, D.C., and writes for the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. at blog.adw.org. Send questions to msgrpope@osv.com.
A reader asks about Mary’s promises to brown scapular wearers concerning the guarantee of heaven. Monsignor Charles Pope responds: “Our Lady of Mount Carmel promised to save those who wear the scapular from the fires of hell and to shorten their stay
A reader asks why Adam and Eve sinned even though they had “perfect intellects and wills unencumbered by the lower passions.” As Monsignor Charles Pope explains, “even with preternatural gifts, there are still temptations.” For true freedom, he writes, “Things must exist
A reader asks: “Jesus asked the apostles to go into town to prepare the Passover meal. They did as he asked. This meal took place on Thursday. Why not on the customary day of Friday evening?” Monsignor Charles Pope writes: “You are
A reader asks: “Given that the single celibate life is not considered a vocation, how is it possible for a Catholic with same-sex attraction to become a saint or contribute to the Church in a meaningful way, since the Church prohibits him
A reader asks: “Why is Saint Jude pictured with a flame on his head? He wasn’t the only one at Pentecost and I haven’t seen anyone else depicted this way.” As Monsignor Charles Pope explains, “Almost all official answers to the meaning
A reader writes: “This past Easter Sunday, the parishioners were not allowed to say the rosary before Mass by the presiding priest. This is a normal practice that we have had in this church for over 40 years. Is there any logical
A reader asks why the Vatican keeps its art and other treasures instead of selling them and giving the proceeds to those in need. As Monsignor Charles Pope explains, “The answer is that there is a value in making the arts available
A reader writes: “I am unsure what Pope St. John Paul II wanted us to meditate on when we pray the Third Luminous Mystery, ‘The Proclamation of the Kingdom.’ Scriptural Rosary texts differ so greatly. What should I concentrate on?” As Monsignor
A reader asks: “Why is everybody, except the Blessed Virgin, conceived with original sin on their souls? If all of us inherit our first parents’ mortal sin, why do we not inherit the personal sins of our own parents or other ancestors?”
The Catholic Church says in Unam Sanctum (A.D. 1302), “Furthermore, we declare, we proclaim, we define that it is absolutely necessary for salvation that every human creature be subject to the Roman Pontiff.” But Lumen Gentium (A.D. 1963) says, “Those also can