Expert: Rick Jackson - 9/17/2008

Question
Dear Jackson,

                   I am a lifetime catholic :) I love the faith. I believe that non catholics are wrong as well. I believe that Catholics are thee Jewish faith of the Bible. Am I right! I am 22 and I am going to be a youth group minister with my friend Fr. Bismarck. He is asking me to start a teen youth group and young adults who either want to convert or learn more about there faith!

I am defending my faith. I wish to see more modesty in the church I mean some girls come in the church with short shorts on! Even mini skirts it is an outrage! I even wish that girls of all ages even women for that matter would were a veil. I mean if I wear one some say you dont have to do that I tell them yes I do it is to be feminine to christ! I am representing Mary my mother.

It says in the bible if a women is praying or prophesying (?) that they should have their head covered or have their hair removed as a punishment.

Is this just not bothered with? It's in 1st Corinthians so I thought it was the part you're not meant to ignore.
2 weeks ago
Additional Details
2 weeks ago

Source: "11.5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven."

1st Corinthians is one of the most used/quotes parts of the Bible. Saul of Tarsus supposedly wrote it and he knew his theological doctrine better than you.

Well the (nuns, traditional catholics,mennonites/amish prayer "caps" just to name a few)wear head coverings so why cant we Catholics. As a Catholic, the Pope, who is a direct descendant of the Apostle Peter whom Jesus Himself appointed, is the highest authority in matters of doctrine.

The Second Vatican Council of Pope John XXIII told us that it was no longer mandatory for a woman to wear a veil while praying. Thanks to him the women of the church are not caring about wearing head coverings at mass!

Do you believe that Jesus the Christ is coming soon? Do you think that the Holy spirit is making an outpouring over the Catholic church? I mean do you see people speaking in tongues were you are? I do, my friend Sr. Marilyn Minter does and I do as well. I only do it when I am in deep prayer! So do you think we are in the endtimes? Is the Catholic church the church of the bible. Is the church the true sheep of Jesus, and all others are wolves in sheeps clothing. Is the catholic church Jewish in teaching practice and spirituality?  

Answer
Hi Jacqueline.

How wonderful to hear of a young person such as yourself so fired up about her faith!  

Be patient about the attire.  Wouldn't we rather see kids in Church in miniskirts than not in Church at all?  Defining what is "over the top" is difficult...

In many Churches women still do wear headcoverings...but like the Biblical prohibition about men trimming their sideburns, some things are practice vs. doctrine...so about some of them we should have an open mind.

Remember that 1 Corinthians was written to a specific group of people at a specific time.  Surely he saw good reason to write those things, but since it is a matter of practice, not doctrine, we can give some lee-way.

I am FIRMLY convinced that the Holy Spirit is working overtime in our day to renew the faith of God's People.  It is fantastic.  I think that 50 years ago 90% of Catholics went to church once a week because it's "mandatory"...but today a huge bunch goes to Church, and is involved in a variety of ministries, not because of an obligation but because they desire to serve the Lord and grow in their faith.

As for the end times, I do not think about it much.  I prefer instead to live each day to it's fullest: to do more and better than I did yesterday and to sin less than yesterday.

Peace and Blessings, Jacqueline.

Rick.