Catholics/What will become of them?

Advertisement

Expert: Fr. Timothy Johnson - 7/29/2009


Question
Dear Father,I wonder about the duty of those who suffer from a disorder called 'fetishism' that is being sexualized by innocent objects and things that are not related to body or procreation at all! Given the fact that everybody must avoid the occasion of sin, must such people avoid the innocent and ordinary object of their disorderly desires? What if they have a spiritual fetish (feeling arousal by hearing or thinking about certain ideas and concepts)?What if it is a religion related idea or thing?

Answer
Hi, Farnaz:
I actually should not even be attempting to answer this question, as honestly it is getting "way out there" and outside my field of expertise...
I suppose that about the best I can say is that everyone has some "struggle" or cross in their life, and must fight by the grace of God not to let it take them over and control them, be it whatever kind of sexual things that would tend to draw them away from a proper context of sexuality within the Covenant of Marriage.
One must lay things on the line with the LORD, and if nothing else, express their willingness to always strive to love, know, and serve HIM in spite of their weaknesses.  Even if individuals do not experience 100% "success", so to speak, in avoiding sin, perhaps it is good to reflect that without the healing power of God's Grace, that person's life could be all the more out of control and miserable without God and the Church.  What do you think?

Fr. Timothy Johnson

Catholics

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Fr. Timothy Johnson

Expertise

A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.

Experience

I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.

Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)

Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology; MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary; 2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality. BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy; BA - Liberal Arts; AA - General Studies.

Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15. Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office. I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church. Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.