ASK A PRIEST
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SACRAMENTS
“Ask a Priest: What If a Confessor Didn’t Want to Hear of My Forgotten Sins?”
Q: Years ago, I led a sinful lifestyle. I have since returned to the Church and have been going to confession regularly. I still sometimes remember old sins from my past that I have inadvertently left unconfessed. It’s nearly impossible to remember everything I’ve done, though I am truly sorry ...
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“Ask a Priest: Should My Child Be ‘Dedicated’ at a Protestant Service?”
Q: I’m hoping you can help me in my dilemma. My husband and I are married in a civil union but plan to have our marriage blessed in the Catholic Church soon. I am Catholic, he is not. We recently had our first child, and had him baptized in the ...
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“Ask a Priest: What Needs to Be Confessed Before Baptism?”
Q: What does a 7-year-old or adult have to confess, right before a priest will baptize them? – J.S. Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC A: A person who isn’t baptized cannot receive the sacrament of confession. A person must be baptized to be able to receive the other sacraments. Baptism, ...
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“Ask a Priest: What If My Boyfriend Really Isn’t Ready for Baptism?”
Q: My boyfriend has been attending RCIA and is going to be baptized in a month, but he doesn’t believe in anything. He said he is going because he knows it will make me happy and because he wants to marry me and I am Catholic, not because he believes ...
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“Ask a Priest: How Can I Forgive Myself?”
Q: I came back to the Catholic Church after 40 years of being away. First, I was evangelical, then gradually checked out other religions before ending up almost atheist. How can I forgive myself after a lifetime away? – G.M. Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC A: It’s good to ...
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“Ask a Priest: What If Absolution Was Refused for Venial Sins?”
Q: A priest did not give me absolution for my sins because he said they were venial. What should I do, since he only believes that mortal sins should be confessed? – J. Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC A: The short answer is: look for another confessor. Absolution can and ...
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“Ask a Priest: May I Stand as a Godparent at a Protestant Baptism?”
Q: My Lutheran brother is getting their son baptized in that denomination, and has asked my wife and I to be the child’s godparents. My wife and I are Catholic. Is this OK in the eyes of the Church? – B. Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC A: The short answer ...
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“Ask a Priest: Could I Be Baptized in My Wife’s Denomination?”
Q: As a child I was baptized in the Catholic Church. My wife was not raised as Christian, but later as an adult she was baptized in a Christian denomination. I attend her church as well as a Catholic church. She would like me to be baptized in her church, ...
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