ASK A PRIEST
QUESTIONS ABOUT SIN & REPENTANCE
“Ask a Priest: If God Is Love, Why Is There a Hell?”
Q: For many years I have been tormented by the thought of hell, so much so that I have started to rationalize the possibility that it doesn’t exist. It has ruined my life, frankly. I just can’t understand how hell exists if God is love. Couldn’t he figure out a ...
Read More → “Ask a Priest: What If I Think I Failed as a Godparent?”
Q: I recently attended my great granddaughter’s baptism, and it struck me how important being a sponsor for a baptism is. I have five godchildren, all adults now, and only one I know of is still in the Catholic Church. I feel as though I failed as a sponsor, and ...
Read More → “Ask a Priest: Can’t Confessions Be Speeded Up?”
Q: How should I manage my expectations in the confessional line? I have been turned away from confession on several occasions due to time restraints. In each case, the priest had spent an extended time (5 to 10-plus minutes) with particular penitents. I understand that each unique case requires certain ...
Read More → “Ask a Priest: Did Adam and Eve Foresee the Fallout From Their Sin?”
Q: A priest in a video said, “Have you ever wondered why God allowed the devil to tempt Adam and Eve?” Yes! There’s nothing in the Bible said about God telling Adam and Eve that their complete obedience was crucial, that there would be permanent consequences for their descendants. Did ...
Read More → “Ask a Priest: Why Do Some in Sin Die Young, and Others Repent Late in Life?”
Q: I need help explaining something to my teenage and early-20s sons. It is so hard to understand how some people have a lifetime to make mistakes and live outside God’s will, turn their backs on their Catholic upbringing, and then have a beautiful reversion story late in life, while ...
Read More → “Ask a Priest: Could I Still Mix With People Who Might Lead Me to Sin?”
Q: Yesterday I went to confession. I was hesitant to enter because I read on the pamphlet that I would have to avoid the people, places, and things that cause me to sin. This for me would be to avoid my friends of many years (since seventh grade, I’m 21 ...
Read More → “Ask a Priest: Must We Tell Everything in Confession?”
Q: Do we have to say everything in a confession? Thank you. – Adelaide Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC A: It depends on what you mean by “everything.” At the very least, we need to tell all our mortal sins and the number of times we committed them. We also ...
Read More → “Ask a Priest: Any Tips on Finding a Good Confessor?”
Q: Do you have any tips on finding a good confessor and the qualities to look for? We’re at a parish with many priests. Is there a correct etiquette where it doesn’t come across as picky, seeing you don’t always know when certain priests will be there? – Bridget Answered ...
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