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.
When questioning the perpetual virginity of Mary, many critics point to passages of Scripture that name James the Apostles as Christ’s brother. There was no word in Hebrew of Aramaic for cousin, so the term “brother” or “brethren” was used broadly for
A reader says: “I feel uneasy at Mass when I hear the priest saying, ‘Pray, brethren, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.’” I think of Protestants who say that we don’t believe that Jesus’ sacrifice
In the most recent column of Pastoral Answers, a reader asks, “Why has God allowed mankind to continue since Adam in spite of the evil that has prevailed. For that matter, why did God create the heavens and the earth in the
A reader asks, “Can a bishop compel congregants to wear face masks to be admitted to church?” Monsignor Charles Pope answers that compel is too strong a word, but a bishop can request that congregants comply with local civil norms, which in
A reader asks if an exorcism must be performed prior to a consecration, such as the recent U.S. consecration of the nation by the bishops to Mary. Monsignor Charles Pope explains that there are no definite rules or laws requiring exorcisms in
A reader asks why Saint John Capistrano is a saint if he is known for preaching “against the Jews” and inciting anti-Semitic violence. Monsignor Charles Pope explains that when we look back at history, every age has its moral lapses. In the
A reader asks how they could best explain the soul to a non-believer. Monsignor Charles Pope explains that it is important to start with proper definitions. The “soul” is the animating principle of a living thing; it is what gives that thing
A reader asks, “Why do we call the mysteries of the Rosary ‘mysteries?’ What is mysterious about the Presentation in the Temple, or the Descent of the Holy Spirit, or The Scourging at the Pillar, and so on? These are verifiable events.”
A reader explains that, during this time of pandemic, she has been fasting more often. She writes, “It feels sacrificial, but it’s also improving my health. Can a practice be both penitential and beneficial?” Monsignor Charles Pope answers that God would not
A reader says, “I have a friend who is Christian, not Catholic, and believes in the symbolism of the Eucharist and not that it is the true body and blood of Our Lord. She asks how we can eat the real body