Leonard DeLorenzo, in his series on the Ten Commandments, writes on the Seventh Commandment, “Thou shall not steal.” The Catechism says, “The seventh commandment forbids unjustly taking or keeping the good of one’s neighbor and wronging him in any way with respect
A reader asks Monsignor Pope, "Recently I heard a priest say that when our sins are forgiven, they are forgotten. On the other hand we believe that after death comes judgment. Which is it?" Monsignor replied, The sins by which we will
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
In his column this week, Monsignor Pope answers two questions. First, How am I supposed to honor my father and mother who so mistreated me? I have a lot to argue with God over in this commandment. Why should I have to
In the Opening the Word for the First Sunday of Lent, Timothy P. O’Malley writes about sin. As we begin Lent, the Church invites every man and every woman to recognize the good news about sin. Sin is not caused by the
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 Pope this week, "Why do some Protestants treat drinking, smoking and gambling as the epitome of sin?" Monsignor answers that this mindset was likely a result of the American struggle with heavy drinking and addiction from the eighteen
Question: I am having a disagreement with a friend. She says masturbation is a mortal sin. I say it is not. Who is right? — Name, location withheld Answer: When we speak of a sin being mortal or venial, we speak in
Is teasing a sin against the Fifth (thou shall not kill and thou shall not harm) Commandment? Maybe. And to further clarify: sometimes. So what is teasing, what is sinning, and where's the line? In this post you'll find help in determining
Question: In a recent response you wrote that sin darkens the intellect. How and why does this happen? — Peter Tate, Long Beach, California Answer: We have all had the experience of being in a dark room — say a theater —