Do Catholics have a theological problem with a woman being the archbishop of Canterbury?
Q: The Anglican church is elevating its first woman to the role of archbishop of Canterbury, the chief diocese of the Church of England. Theologically, do we as Catholics see this as a problem? A: ...
Should girls be altar servers?
Q: I am a 14-year-old boy, and growing up I learned to serve the Mass. At first I never served with girls (my old church did not allow it). They stated that serving was a gateway to the priesthood and ...
Is confession required for obtaining a plenary indulgence if there is no mortal sin?
Q: Is confession required for obtaining a plenary indulgence if there is no mortal sin? A diocesan hermit, who is homebound, says his ministry is to gain plenary indulgences for the poor souls by various ...
Why is Mary's perpetual virginity so important to Catholics?
Q: Why is Mary's perpetual virginity so important to us Catholics? I've had discussions with my Protestant friends about this, and while they believe Mary was a virgin when Jesus was born, they don't ...
Why is New Year's Day a holy day of obligation?
Q: If the church's new year begins on the first Sunday of Advent, then why is the secular New Year's Day (Jan. 1) a holy day of obligation? A: You are correct that the church's liturgical new year ...
What does the term 'protomartyr' mean?
Q: A Catholic Church near me is named after a certain saint, but has "protomartyr" after the name. What does this term mean? (Indiana) A: My guess is that the church you're thinking of was named "St. ...
When can Catholics sing the Advent hymn 'O Come, O Come, Emmanuel?'
Q: My favorite Advent hymn is "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel." I'm used to singing it all through Advent, but the new choir director at my parish says we're not allowed to sing it now until the fourth Sunday ...
Do Catholics give things up for Advent?
Q: My dad gives up chocolate every year for both Lent and Advent. I always tell him that this is weird and that we're not supposed to give things up for Advent, only Lent. Which one of us is right? ...
