The Papists

Because, the Church believes in truth.  Because gay marriage is impossible, just like a square circle is impossible, the government’s claim that it is, is a lie.  It is the Church’s duty to oppose governments which lie to their people, and to preserve the truth.

Also, it’s not true that civil acceptance of gay marriage will not force it on the Church.  Already, the Church has been forced to close orphanages and other organizations because they refused to allow gay couples to adopt.  So, in some ways, it is forced on the Church.

Adopt A Cardinal →

An initiative launched to ensure that all the members of the Conclave will be well taken care of in terms of prayers and mortification. Adopt your cardinal now! :D

Some FAQ's on the Pope's Resignation →

1.What will be Benedict XVI’s last public appearance as Pope?

A: Benedict XVI’s last public appearance as Pope will be the General Audience on February 27, 2013, in Saint Peter’s Square. Exceptionally, the general audience will include a liturgy of the Word and moments of prayer. The next day, Thursday the 28th, there will be a private audience in the Clementine Hall of the Holy See with some cardinals. This will be the last audience of his pontificate.

2. Does Benedict XVI have some serious illness in particular?

A: No, Benedict XVI does not have a serious illness in particular.

3. Is it true that Benedict XVI has a pacemaker?

A: Yes, it is true that Benedict XVI has a pacemaker. He has had it since he was cardinal prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. A few weeks ago the batteries of his pacemaker were changed.

4. Will the encyclical on faith be published that Benedict XVI has been writing?

A. No, there is no plan to publish the encyclical, as Benedict XVI was unable to finish it. Eventually, if he decides to publish it, it will not be ranked as an “encyclical.”

5. Why did Benedict XVI choose 8:00 pm on February 28 to end his ministry as Pope?

A: Because it is the time in which he usually ends his work day.

6. Where will Benedict XVI live after he retires as Pope?

A: Initially, for a period of two months, in the papal residence of Castel Gandolfo. Afterward he will return to the Vatican to live in the Mater Ecclesiae cloistered convent.

7. Is it true that Benedict XVI decided to resign during his apostolic journey to Mexico?

A: During his apostolic journey to Mexico and Cuba, Benedict XVI matured in the matter of his resignation as one more stage in his long process of reflection and discernment on this subject. However, the trip had no other particular relevance in this regard.

8. What will Benedict XVI’s name and title be after February 28?

A: It is a matter that is still being reflected upon. There is a certain unanimity that he should keep the name Benedict XVI and that his title should be “Bishop Emeritus of Rome.” In the Pontifical Yearbook Benedict XVI will continue to be the official name used.

9. Will Benedict XVI take part in the Conclave to elect his successor?

A: No, Benedict XVI will not take part in the Conclave to elect his successor and he will not be part of the College of Cardinals.

10. How will Benedict XVI dress after February 28?

A: It is not yet known how Benedict XVI will dress after February 28.

11. Is provision made in the Church for a Pope’s renunciation?

A: Yes, a Pope’s resignation is provided for and regulated by the Code of Canon Law.

12. What will happen to Archbishop Georg Gänswein, Benedict XVI’s private secretary and prefect of the Papal Household over the last few months?

A: Archbishop Georg Gänswein will continue to be Benedict XVI’s private secretary. He will accompany him to Castel Gandolfo (and later to the Mater Ecclesiae convent), and he will also continue to be prefect of the Papal Household. Similarly, it is possible that his second private secretary will go to Castel Gandolfo and accompany Benedict XVI for a time.

13. Who will live with Benedict XVI in the Mater Ecclesiae convent inside the Vatican after his retirement?

A: The Memores Domini (a group of consecrated women, who help the Pope in the ordinary needs of a home), and his private secretary, Archbishop Georg Gänswein, will live with and assist Benedict XVI after his retirement.

14. Did the subject of the so-called Vatileaks scandal influence the Pope’s decision?

A: It had no relevance. If one wants to receive correct information, one must limit oneself to what the Pope has said about his renunciation.

15. When, approximately, will the conclave begin?

A: The most likely dates are that it will begin between March 15-20.

16. Did Benedict XVI change the norms for the election of a Pope in the last weeks?

A: No, Benedict XVI did not change recently the norms for the election of a Pope. He made a small change in 2007 to modify the system of voting. The modification of 2007 establishes that a two-thirds majority will always be necessary in the voting carried out in the Conclave. However, the rest of the norms in force continue to be those of the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis.

17. Are there power struggles in the Vatican?

A: In all institutions there is a dynamic that leads to different opinions, which is always good. The difference and diversity of opinions are positive if they lead to the good of the institution itself. However, such differences should not be given too much weight as they would not correspond to the reality or to persons’ intentions. To say that there are power struggles does not correspond to the reality of what is happening in the Church at this time.

18. Did journalist Peter Seewald interview Benedict XVI before his renunciation?

A: German journalist Peter Seewald, who has interviewed Joseph Ratzinger-Benedict XVI several times in the past, interviewed Benedict XVI two and a half months ago. The interview is to be included in Benedict XVI’s official biography, on which Seewald is working.

19. Will Benedict XVI meet with the new Pope?

A: There is no plan for Benedict XVI to meet with the new Pope.

20. Why has Benedict XVI decided to stay in a convent in the Vatican, after his two months at Castel Gandolfo, and not return to his native Bavaria?

A: Although Benedict XVI has not explained it clearly, his presence and prayer in the Vatican gives spiritual continuity to the papacy. Moreover, Benedict XVI has been living in the Vatican for more than three decades.

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Grazie, Papa Benedetto!

I, for one, know that reblogging a picture of “Share if you love Jesus” DOES NOT make me love Jesus more. Doing things that make me love Jesus more, like performing spiritual and corporeal works of mercy, on the other hand, DO make me love Him more.

In conclusion: you don’t have to prove your love to God to other people. You only have to prove it to Him (and reblogging that photo only proves it to other people, but keeping the commandments proves it to God).

Your friend,

Olivier

Dear anon,

I found this good article that hopefully gives a clear answer to your question.

Here are the best bits:

1. The book Catholic Replies sums up the teaching of the Church concerning what it means to be “saved” through the Church: What the doctrine of no salvation outside the Church does mean is that everyone is saved through the Catholic Church either as faithful members of that Church, or as members of churches which contain some significant elements of truth and sanctification found in the Catholic Church, or as persons who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or His Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do His will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience (Catechism n 847).  Those churches which contain some elements of truth would be, for example, protestant churches that practice Trinitarian baptism.
2. But just because the Church recognizes the validity of Baptism in some Christian churches it does not mean that all Christian denominations are equally true as stated in the Decree on Ecumenism. Even though the Catholic Church states that those who believe in Christ and have been properly baptized are brought into a certain, though imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church and are properly regarded as brothers in the Lord by the sons of the Catholic Church (Decree on Ecumenism, n.3), the Church in the documents of Vatican II stops short of calling these separated Christians as members of the “Body of Christ,” mindful of the statement issued in the 1943 encyclical of Pope Pius XII On the Mystical Body (Mystici Corporis):  Only those are to be included as real members of the Church who have been baptized and profess the true faith and have not been so unfortunate as to separate themselves from the unity of the Body or been excluded from it by legitimate authority for serious faults.

TL;DR salvation is accessible to all people, including evangelicals and other non-Catholic Christians. God does not punish people for their ignorance of the truth, but he does leave them the choice to accept or reject his love (i.e. choose either heaven or hell).

I hope this helps!

Your friend,

Olivier

Hi Anon,

I think the contributors to this blog have different opinions, but I’ll link you to something Father Angel wrote recently. I hope it can shed light on your questions!

Your friend, 

Olivier

Yes.  Venial sins may be forgiven by private acs of contrition, good works, and reception of the Eucharist. 

However, it is still good to confess venial sins when one goes to confession, for it is a healing sacrament.  Here is a good link.  Does this answer your question?

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Catholics-955/Confession-13.htm

- Niko

It’s definitely wrong. It is always ill to wish that someone should commit suicide.

All life is sacred, including the life of the shooter or potential shooter. I know it sounds hard to believe, but it’s true.

We must pray for the mental health of these people, and indeed work towards implementing real, effective social programs that will help them and protect society. I’m sorry I have to be vague about this, but I don’t know if anyone has the answer to solving this problem yet.

Your friend,

Olivier

I don’t see why not, anon.

Basically, the Church teaches that 1) purgatory exists and 2) prayers for the souls in purgatory are good. So if God answers your prayers in a certain way, then who are we to contest it?

However, it wouldn’t be unwise to set an alarm, too (just in case)!

Your friend,

Olivier