Expert: Fr. Michael - 8/30/2011

Question
My cousin recently went to a priest and asked him to bless a medal for his niece who is in the service and was leaving to go to Afganastan sp she could take it with her.  

The priest said a very nice blessing, gave it back to my cousin, and then said that will be $5.

I didn't think priests charged for blessings nor did I think this was appropriate.  Please let me know if priests are allowed to do this, should they do this etc.

Any insight on this to share with my cousin, who is not really involved with the Church, is looking to me for answers and I would like to give him, and family, etc. correct information.

Thank you very much,
George Vallas

Answer
This "priest" committed the grave sin of simony, which is outright charging for a sacramental service (I am not talking here about just stipends set for Masses, etc.)  Frankly, I doubt that this man was a "priest" at all.  Almost certainly he was a presbyter of the New Order, which is not Catholic, though it pretends to be to those ignorant of what happened to the true Catholic Church after Vatican II (1962-1965).

You should recommend to your cousin that she attend only a traditional Catholic site.  There is a geographical list of these at www.traditio.com/nat.htm, the Official Traditional Catholic Directory.