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.
What does the Church teach on cloning, DNA manipulation and stem cell research? Monsignor Charles Pope explains that the Church does not ban any of these scientific practices. However, certain areas of each are problematic. Human cloning, he explains, is forbidden because
A reader asks why the feast of the Presentation of Our Lord is celebrated after the feast of his baptism. Monsignor Charles Pope says that this is not the only example where the chronological events of Christ’s life are celebrated in a
Sometimes a literal interpretation of the Bible leads to confusion. So, what does John the Baptism mean when he says he did not know Jesus? They were cousins, after all. Monsignor Charles Pope explains that Saint John the Baptist probably meant that
In the Pastoral Answers column this week, a reader asks, “I can’t understand the passage where St. Paul says in the book of Colossians, ‘In my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of
A reader asks why his priest does not approve of parishioners using their phones and electronic devices to pray the Liturgy of the Hours and read the Mass readings. Monsignor Charles Pope replies that sacred readings deserve sacred texts. However, since these
What can you do to be best prepared for the Sacrament of Confession? Monsignor Charles Pope recommends writing down your sins during your examination of conscience and using the list in the confessional. Meditating on certain passages of Scripture can also help
Question: There are some inconsistencies in Luke’s Gospel about Zechariah that I don’t understand. In the first place, the angel Gabriel punishes Zechariah by rendering him mute. But later in the Gospel, the people make signs to talk to him as if
In this week’s column, Monsignor Pope addresses a question from a reader on painted additions to the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. He explains that while some additions have been made — either for restoration or embellishment — only the original
Question: Do you have any suggestions for a person who is guilty of sloth and laziness? On account of it, I am often sluggish, and this keeps me from many of my responsibilities and duties to be a good and prayerful Catholic.
A reader asks Monsignor Charles Pope if John the Baptist recognized that Jesus was the Messiah. There are different views on how to understand this. One view holds that John is not confused at all and is merely trying to encourage his