NFP: The Choice for a New Generation
Dear Catholic Exchange:
Overall, I think this article [“To Control or Not Control? — Coming Around on NFP”] has a good point. But there are things about it that I disagree with and that I think should be clarified for Catholic Exchange readers.
I am 22 years old and have been engaged for about 5 months. I have been Catholic all my life, and my fiance was baptized and is now near completion of the RCIA program. The Catholic teaching on contraceptives was something that I learned about just before my Confirmation, and didn't immediately agree with (that's an understatement). But after learning about the reasons behind the teaching and everything around it–and learning about Natural Family Planning, I decided that that was exactly what my marriage would involve, even before I met my fiance! And right now we are right in the middle of learning the method in preparation for our June first wedding.
I am only fairly acquainted with the Catholic Exchange website, so maybe you're already a step ahead of me. But after reading that article, and coming from where I'm coming from, I'd like to see you offer some facts and information on Natural Family Planning that are positive and actually show it for the wonderful, bond-building, effective (for both postponing and achieving pregnancy), natural, method/lifestyle/LIFEchoice that it is.
Thank you.
You're doing a great job,
Diane M. Johnson
Dear Diane:
Thanks for your thoughtful input. We do, in fact, post as much material as we can find on the positive and beneficial aspects of NFP (the method practiced by all of us married couples here at Catholic Exchange!). To that end, we hope to forge a content partnership with the Couple to Couple League sometime later this year.
Congratulations and God's abundant blessings on your upcoming marriage!
In Christ,
Tom Allen
Editor & President
Catholic Exchange
Anointed Hands & the Sacraments
Dear Catholic Exchange:
This is a question for Fr. Landry in regard to his article “Anointed Hands — Reflections on the Boston Priest Scandal.” I don't know if it's possible to get a response from Fr. Landry but I have a question that arises from his statement:
“No matter how sinful a priest is, provided that he has the intention to do what the Church does – at Mass, for example, to change bread and wine into Christ's body and blood, or in confession, no matter how sinful he is personally, to forgive the penitent's sins – Christ himself acts through that minister in the sacraments.”
Relating to the issue of intent, what if through personal conversation with my pastor I was told that he does not believe the Eucharist to be the actual Body and Blood of Christ but rather a spiritual presence. Am I to make a judgment or decision about his intentions when saying Mass and the Consecration? This has been a dilemma for me but I have felt and come to the conclusion through prayer, that as they are priests and within the belief that he does have anointed hands, that all sacraments performed by him are valid and full.
I would appreciate an answer if possible but realize that you may not be able to get to e-mail questions.
Thank you for your time and I found your article to be most helpful and uplifting during this difficult time in the Church, I will pray for the Church in the Boston area as this must be extremely difficult.
Judy Carreon
Dear Judy:
For a sacrament to be valid a priest has to at least intend to do what the Church intends. In other words, he has to at least believe in the action of the Church even if his personal faith regarding the sacrament diverges.
A crude example: The driver of a car will still arrive at his destination even if he believes that the mansion he is supposed to go to is really an empty lot, as long as he follows the directions to get to the right address. The person who gave the driver the address and directions is likened to the Church. The driver will never arrive at his destination if he does not intend to follow directions or get to the address given him. But he will always arrive even if he does not believe he would find what he was told he would find.
I hope that helps.
Fr. Antoine Bakh
Priest Advisor
Catholic Exchange
Loves CE; Prays for Priests
Dear Catholic Exchange:
Some months ago, a priest in a nearby parish recommended your website as a home page. What a blessing this has been to me. I continually recommend it to my friends and hope that some have taken my advice.
Your spirit-filled teachings uplift and encourage, and your wisdom and faith give me courage to continue in the battle to deepen my faith and have the discernment and wisdom to counter the many arrows directed against my Catholic belief.
Catholics in our country have encountered similar problems to those in Boston. When a priest, who had been a close friend, was convicted and jailed, I felt crushed and defiled. To this day I wonder if my son, who died accidentally in 1982 aged 23, had suffered at this man's hands. My faith was sorely tested. However, I was given the grace to pray for this man, that he might acknowledge his sin and turn back to God. I pray now that the same God will raise up saintly people to uplift the faithful in our country; men and women who realize that priesthood and the religious life are a vocation – not just a profession.
God bless you and all on your staff. Please continue this wonderful ministry. May it continue to be a blessing to readers throughout the world.
Marge Smith
Australia
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