Harrison Butker’s commencement address at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, has attracted a great deal of attention from the media. But there’s more to the Kansas City Chiefs kicker’s speech than the headlines and soundbites will allow. In particular, he strikes at
Question: I recently read the portion of the Gospel about what will happen at the end of time. It stated, “But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven nor the Son, but only the Father” (Mk
As the controversy over President Barack Obama administration’s January directive to religious institutions to pay for employees’ contraceptives, sterilizations and abortion-inducing drugs was heating up, Michael Gerson — a conservative columnist frequently friendly to the Church’s views — speculated on the reasoning
Question: Do you think that since the Second Vatican Council there has developed confusion between the roles of laity and clergy in the Church? Some commentators seem to think so. Now we have lay ministers of all sorts. What do you make
Question: I am married to a nonpracticing Episcopalian and while we agree on most matters of faith, we disagree over purgatory. Your columns have been helpful to him. Can you clarify where Episcopalians stand on purgatory? — Name withheld, Baltimore, Md. Answer:
The Church strongly urges that Catholics have recourse to confession for all sins — mortal or not Question: I know that the Church urges frequent confession. But what if one has no mortal sins to confess? I am reluctant to go to
If you feel somewhat cheated by the hustle and the bustle, it’s not too late. Take your cue from the three kings and appreciate the season. As Teresa Tomeo writes, “you can start by doing your best to embrace the Church’s liturgical
Question: I am confused about the difference between the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick and “last rites.” When I was growing up, they were the same. My husband has terminal cancer. When he comes toward the end, what rites should
Question: Recently I attended a catechetical conference in our diocese and the speaker would not answer “yes” when I asked him if Christ instituted all the sacraments. He skirted the matter and would only give a vague answer. He also would not
Question: I work with some people who are not Catholic, who are trying to get me to go to a “Walk to Emmaus.” It appears like a pep rally for Christ. What is this program and where did it come from? Do
uestion: What is your opinion on using feminine pronouns for God? I have found these pronouns used even by relatively conservative Catholic authors. However, I find them distracting and detracting. — Name withheld, Milwaukee, Wis. Answer: At the outset, it needs to