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Q u i c k Q u e s t i o n s
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This Rock
Volume 17, Number 6
 July-August 2006 
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Is Artificial Insemination Ever Permitted?
Q: Can homologous artificial insemination be permitted as a licit treatment for male infertility?
A: Homologous artificial insemination and fertilization are generally immoral. The Catechism of the Catholic Church specifically defines and addresses these techniques: Techniques involving only the married couple (homologous artificial insemination and fertilization) are perhaps less reprehensible [than techniques that require the intrusion of a donor or surrogate] yet remain morally unacceptable. They dissociate the sexual act from the procreative act. The act that brings the child into existence is no longer an act by which two persons give themselves to one another but one that "entrusts the life and identity of the embryo into the power of doctors and biologists and establishes the domination of technology over the origin and destiny of the human person. Such a relationship of domination is in itself contrary to the dignity and equality that must be common to parents and children." (CCC 2377; cf. Donum Vitae 5) That said, the Church does recognize an exception "for those cases in which the technical means is not a substitute for the conjugal act but serves to facilitate and to help so that the act attains its natural purpose" (DV 6).
—Jim Blackburn
Q: I am a homosexual. I am also a Catholic who loves my religion but feels that it is against me. Should I abandon my Catholic beliefs, since I will never be accepted within the Church?
A: First of all "homosexual" is not your identity. You are a Catholic who has same-sex attractions, and your Church is not "against" you.
Like every other human being, you have been blessed with existence not because you deserve it but because God in his generosity has given it to you. It is such a basic gift that most of us ordinarily don’t even think of it as such. If God wanted to take it back, he would not have to do anything; he would have to stop doing something. It’s a gift that he keeps giving, without which we would simply cease to exist. There is no way that we could ever pay him for this.
So from the start, we owe. Besides life itself, we all have many other gifts. Some of us can paint portraits or play the piano. None of us has every gift. Some of the greatest gifts God gives us are the individual crosses that he places in our lives that offer us the opportunity to grow in our love for him.
Dear friend, you have a special place in the Church. The world does not understand this. It speaks as if Good Friday never happened. But by the gift of faith that you do have, you know that almighty God chose to favor you with the gift of himself in a unique way. Selfless love is not easy for us, but he is so worth it! I suggest that you check out Courage (www.couragerc.net) and this web site on reparative therapy (www.narth.com) should this cross of yours be for only a temporary period of time.
—Fr. Vincent Serpa
Q: I frequently bump into beggars on the street who ask me for small change. Is it okay to refuse to give them money?
A: There is no obligation to give money to panhandlers, especially those who do not appear to need it or who appear as though they would waste it. If your personal safety is not at risk, you could politely offer them information on the nearest homeless shelter. Since you regularly meet panhandlers, you might ask a nearby shelter for business cards with contact information that you could distribute instead of money.
In any event, if you meet your obligation to support the Church and you give to reputable charities, you need have no qualms about gently refusing to give spare change to panhandlers.
—Michelle Arnold
Q: When does gossip become grave enough to be considered a mortal sin?
A: Unless the matter under discussion is a common news item, when someone’s gossip negatively alters the opinion another has regarding a third person, one has committed a grave action. If it is done with full knowledge and deliberate consent, the grave action then becomes a mortal sin. Gossip is a far more serious matter than most of us like to consider.
—Fr. Vincent Serpa
Q: Why have past pontiffs referred to themselves with a plural "we" in many papal documents?
A: The "royal we" is a custom borrowed from the monarchy. Traditionally, the pope has been considered a monarch and so has used some of the protocols appropriate to sovereigns. Recent popes have moved away from using the outward trappings of monarchy, and so the "royal we" is now less common in translations of papal texts.
—Michelle Arnold
Q: What does being baptized "on behalf of the dead" mean?
A: In 1 Corinthians 15:29, Paul writes, "What do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf?" The phrase "on behalf of the dead" is not actually in the Greek. The Greek word can mean "for" or "for the sake of," not necessarily "on behalf of."
Paul has been discussing the resurrection of the dead, and he brings up this custom of which we know little to help make his point. The Navarre Bible ("Corinthians," 148) explains: [Paul] makes reference to a strange custom that implicitly indicates belief in resurrection. No other source provides information about this custom, and therefore it is not possible to say exactly what it involved. . . . The apostle is neither approving [nor] condemning this custom; he is simply saying that it demonstrates Christian belief in the resurrection of the dead. It is not clear that Paul envisioned one person being baptized in the place of a dead person. He may have meant something else, such as being baptized in order to be united with one’s Christian loved ones who had died.
—Jim Blackburn
Q: I was raised Baptist, and when I entered the Catholic Church I did not go through the RCIA program. My priest privately instructed me and then received me into the Church outside of the RCIA process. Am I a Catholic if I didn’t go through RCIA?
A: Yes, you are indeed a Catholic. Your priest’s method of receiving you into the Church is actually preferred for non-Catholic Christians. RCIA’s primary purpose is to catechize and sacramentally initiate those who are unbaptized. Many parishes lump adult catechumens (non-Christians awaiting baptism), candidates (non-Catholic Christians awaiting confirmation), and adult confirmands (Catholics seeking confirmation) into the same RCIA program for practical reasons. This can be done, but your priest’s method better conforms to the purpose of RCIA.
—Michelle Arnold
Q: As a child I was taught that a person who goes to heaven could fall back into hell because of free will to sin even when in heaven. Is this true?
A: No. A person’s eternal destination is determined at death. While it is true that there is free will in heaven, that free will won’t allow a saint to do what will then be impossible for him to do (e.g., reject God).
—Michelle Arnold
Q: The RCIA director at our parish said it was liturgically improper to bless yourself with the sign of the cross after receiving Communion. Can you point me to a Church document defining the appropriateness of this gesture?
A: The burden of proof lies with your RCIA director. Ask him or her to show you a Church document that states that the sign of the cross is improper after receiving the Eucharist. Such a document does not exist. The sign of the cross is always appropriate.
—Fr. Vincent Serpa
Q: My elderly mother was told that when you reach your golden years you are excused from attending Sunday Mass. Does the Catholic Church excuse people from their Sunday Mass obligation based solely on their age?
A: No. The Sunday obligation can be dispensed for just cause, which may include physical illness or an inability to go to Mass, but there is no age limit on the Sunday obligation.
Perhaps there has been a confusion of the Sunday obligation with the fasting obligations during Lent, for which there is an age limit after which the person is automatically dispensed.
—Michelle Arnold
Q: I understand that the requirements for a plenary indulgence include confession. Is the requirement for confession contingent on having serious sin, or do you need to go in any case?
A: The Apostolic Constitution on Indulgences states that sacramental confession is required to acquire a plenary indulgence. There is no exception for one who is not conscious of mortal sin: To acquire a plenary indulgence, it is necessary to perform the work to which the indulgence is attached and to fulfill three conditions: sacramental confession, eucharistic Communion, and prayer for the intentions of the supreme pontiff. It is further required that all attachment to sin, even to venial sin, be absent. If this disposition is in any way less than complete, or if the prescribed three conditions are not fulfilled, the indulgence will be only partial. (ACI 7) —Jim Blackburn
Q: In the Memorare the claim is made that the Virgin Mary has never left unaided a soul who asked her intercession. But when I prayed the Memorare for my intention, the situation for which I prayed got worse, not better. This has shaken my faith. What happened?
A: The wording of the Memorare is not intended to oblige the Blessed Mother or God to answer your prayer in the exact manner that you specify. It is a statement of utter trust, said with faith that the Blessed Mother and God will always answer the prayers of the faithful, even if the answer given is not the one for which the supplicant hoped.
It is possible that the Blessed Mother did help you in your particular trial. Perhaps she obtained for you the grace to carry your burden with courage and patience. Perhaps she obtained for you the grace to delve more deeply into your Catholic faith through prayer, which is what you did in fact do. By all means, keep praying the Memorare for your intention, keeping in mind Jesus’ example of prayerful supplication for the relief of trials: "Father, if thou art willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done" (Luke 22:42).
—Michelle Arnold
Q: How do we know that St. Anne was the Virgin Mary’s mother, since she’s not mentioned in the Bible?
A: Although she is not mentioned in the Bible, we know the name of Mary’s mother from other sources. The earliest known record is found in the Protoevangelium of James, which dates back to the second century.
—Jim Blackburn
Q: At the Mass I attend, soft music is played in the background when the priest is praying the eucharistic prayers. Is this permitted?
A: No. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal says the following: The nature of the presidential texts demands that they be spoken in a loud and clear voice and that everyone present listen with attention. While the priest is speaking these texts, there should be no other prayer or liturgical song, and the organ or other instruments should not be played. (GIRM 32) —Peggy Frye
Q: Can you explain why baptism outside the Church is valid but marriage outside the Church is not?
A: When administered outside of the Church, both of these sacraments may be considered valid. But Church law imposes on Catholics an obligation to wed in the Church or to obtain formal permission to wed outside of it (Code of Canon Law 1108). The New Commentary on the Code of Canon Law explains the reasons behind Church law concerning the form of marriage: At a pastoral level, the requirement of canonical form provides a privileged opportunity for the Church’s ministers to help couples to assess their suitability and readiness for marriage and to provide them with the appropriate catechesis and immediate preparation for marriage and its liturgical celebration. At a more theological level, the mandatory form ensures that celebration of marriage will embody at least the minimal ecclesial and liturgical dimensions consistent with the celebration of a sacrament of the Church. (New Commentary on the Code of Canon Law, Paulist Press, 1327) While the Church sees the necessity for laws concerning the form of marriage, baptism is a different story. Jesus willed that everyone be baptized (Matt. 28:19). Issues surrounding marriage (e.g., public character, one’s suitability and readiness, appropriate catechesis, immediate preparation, minimal ecclesial and liturgical dimensions) are not applicable to baptism. Therefore, any baptism administered according to Jesus’ instructions is valid.
—Jim Blackburn
Q: Does a baptized Catholic who has received first confession and First Communion need to be confirmed to be married in the Catholic Church?
A: While it is not an absolute requirement that Catholics be confirmed before they are married in the Church, confirmation before marriage is something the Church strongly urges. The Code of Canon Law states: Catholics who have not yet received the sacrament of confirmation are to receive it before being admitted to marriage, if this can be done without grave inconvenience. (CIC 1065)
—Michelle Arnold
Q: Is the power of your prayers lost or diminished if your mind wanders while praying?
A: The more fully we give attention to prayer, the more we are praying. But it is good to remember that praying lies in the will. The will to pray is a prayer in itself. Certainly it is wrong to deliberately encourage distractions while at prayer. But unwanted distractions do not take away the value of prayer. Mother Teresa’s sisters pray the rosary as they walk down busy city streets. They are certainly distracted by the need to navigate, but a part of them is still in prayer.
—Fr. Vincent Serpa
Q: Can God do literally anything? Make square circles? Make 1 + 1 = 72? If he can’t do these things, is it safe to say that he cannot do literally "anything"?
A: God can do all things that are possible (Matt. 19:26). He cannot do what is, for him, impossible, including to sin or to create logical impossibilities (e.g., square circles, mathematical errors, rocks too heavy for him to lift). While God can do things that are impossible for man (Luke 18:27), he cannot do what is impossible for himself. This does not mean that God is not omnipotent; it means only that his power does not negate itself.
—Michelle Arnold
Q: Is the story of the good thief in Luke 23:39–43 proof that baptism isn’t necessary?
A: First, it isn’t clear that baptism had yet been mandated by Jesus before he met the thief. If it had been, we do not know for certain that the thief hadn’t already been baptized. In any case, the thief clearly underwent a conversion at some point during his crucifixion, and it seems evident that he would have desired baptism before his death had he known of its necessity. That would have been sufficient, because the Church recognizes that, in such a case, the desire for baptism brings about the fruits of baptism (CCC 1258).
—Jim Blackburn
Q: A radio talk-show host said: "The medieval Catholic Church was corrupt. The institutional Church was corrupt. Its doctrine was corrupt. It needed to change its doctrine; it needed a reformation. Thank God it got one." Did the Church change its doctrine?
A: The reformation the Church received came from the Council of Trent. It changed discipline but not doctrine. It formed seminaries, regularizing the education of the clergy. It unified the liturgy. It clarified doctrine but did not—and could not—change any of it. As a result, the Catholic Church remained consistent in what it had always taught. Such consistency remains to the present day.
The Protestant Reformation resulted in the continuous division of churches over the interpretation of Scripture, each new denomination insisting on its own as authentic. But of course, since they all contradict each other, they can’t all be correct. The divisions continue to this day—thousands of them. If this is reformation, I’d hate to see chaos!
—Fr. Vincent Serpa
Q: Is marrying a relative allowed by the Church?
A: Consanguinity in the direct line (e.g., father-daughter, grandmother-grandson) always prohibits marriage. In the indirect line, those related only as closely as first cousins are impeded from marrying (CIC 1091), but such an impediment for first cousins may be dispensed by the bishop.
—Jim Blackburn
Q: Is it required that the bodily remains or cremains be present at a Catholic funeral?
A: No, but it is good for the remains to be at the funeral if possible, because they can then be blessed. If the remains are not present at a funeral Mass, then the Mass that is offered is a memorial Mass.
—Michelle Arnold
Q: When distributing Communion, my priest says, "Receive Jesus Christ" instead of "The body of Christ." Is this okay?
A: The General Instruction of the Roman Missal states: [The minister] raises the eucharistic bread slightly and shows it to each one, saying: "The body of Christ." The communicants reply: "Amen." (GIRM 117) The liturgy is not private property. No one individual, including the priest, has the authority to change the rubrics according to personal taste or whim.
—Fr. Vincent Serpa
Q: Can a person gain an indulgence without intending to do so?
A: No. The Code of Canon Law states, "To gain indulgences . . . a capable subject must have at least the general intention of acquiring them" (CIC 996).
—Jim Blackburn
Q: The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ by Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich mentions that Jesus and his disciples celebrated the Passover a day before the rest of the Jews did. Is this true?
A: The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ is not a reliable guide to the events of the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ. The book is attributed to Anne Catherine Emmerich but contains enough theological problems that the attributed writings were specifically excluded from the study of Emmerich’s life before her cause for beatification proceeded. The book gained public attention when Mel Gibson used it as a source for his movie The Passion of the Christ. While it was fine for Gibson to use theologically unproblematic stories from the writings as literary embellishment to the Gospel narratives, the writings cannot be considered authoritative.
As to the question of whether Jesus ate the Passover meal with the disciples early, this is something we do not know for sure. It is implied though by the Gospel narratives, which recount that Jesus was crucified on the day of preparation for the Passover (John 19:14), which would have been during the day before the Seder meal was celebrated by the Jews. In Judaism, the holy days start at sundown the previous day. So, if Passover began on Saturday that year (John 19:31), the Jews would have prepared for it during the day on Friday and eaten the Seder meal on Friday evening. Since it was important to Jesus to share the Passover meal with his disciples before his crucifixion (Luke 22:15–16), by his authority as God the Son he could have chosen to eat the Passover meal a day early in anticipation of the traditional start of the Passover (Matt. 7:28–29).
—Michelle Arnold
Q: I occasionally hear about the Church imposing a "censure." What is that?
A: A censure is a type of penalty imposed by the Church. Imposition of such a penalty is intended to motivate a change in behavior and to reintegrate an offending party back into the Church. For this reason a censure is called a medicinal penalty (CIC 1312) as opposed to an expiatory penalty that is compensatory in nature.
—Jim Blackburn
Q: Can you provide an actual quote by Pope John Paul II that states that life begins at conception?
A: Sure: Some people try to justify abortion by claiming that the result of conception, at least up to a certain number of days, cannot yet be considered a personal human life. But in fact, "from the time that the ovum is fertilized, a life is begun that is neither that of the father nor the mother; it is rather the life of a new human being with his own growth." (Evangelium Vitae 60, quoting Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Declaration on Procured Abortion 12) —Michelle Arnold
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