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Catholics/Questions Answered by Expert Father Dave Bechtel
| Subject | Date Asked |
| dating | 5/26/2012 |
| Q: how are you? I am dating this girl named Christina, and we have been kissing, and would it be ok to ... A: That is not something I can answer. How far is too far is something unique to every couple---you ... | |
| Insest? | 5/6/2012 |
| Q: My friend half Filipino and half German. He first visited the Philippines last year and apparently ... A: Canon 1091 section 1 says: "In the direct line of consanguinity marriage is invalid between all ... | |
| CCC Paragraph 100 | 4/27/2012 |
| Q: In paragraph 100 in the CCC it says, "The task of interpreting the Word of God authentically has ... A: Your personal view may or may not be subjective. Just because something is subjective does NOT ... | |
| CCC Paragraph 100 | 4/27/2012 |
| Q: In paragraph 100 in the CCC it says, "The task of interpreting the Word of God authentically has ... A: There IS a subjective understanding of God's Truth in ALL of us. The Church has never claimed that ... | |
| Accepted Bibles | 4/17/2012 |
| Q: I was wondering if you can answer this. It's a fairly straight question. Is the Douay–Rheims Bible ... A: Yes, it is still acceptable for Catholics to read the Douay-Rheims. The Douay-Rheims is an English ... | |
| confused... | 4/14/2012 |
| Q: I understand confession from what the Church has taught and what the Bible instructs, but...... ... A: The Church can only judge external acts, the Church nor I can judge hearts. Only God can judge a ... | |
| confused... | 4/14/2012 |
| Q: I understand confession from what the Church has taught and what the Bible instructs, but...... ... A: Yes modern psychology says a lot of things--and basically the essence of modern psychology in my ... | |
| Why pray to the saints? | 4/12/2012 |
| Q: I am writing on behalf of my friend who was raised Fundamentalist Protestant. I am a Catholic. He ... A: Saint Anthony apparently had a vision of the Christ Child, which is why he is depicted in that ... | |
| confused... | 4/12/2012 |
| Q: I understand confession from what the Church has taught and what the Bible instructs, but...... ... A: I like to answer this question with aWhy does it matter? I do not mean to suggest the question is ... | |
| Why pray to the saints? | 4/10/2012 |
| Q: I am writing on behalf of my friend who was raised Fundamentalist Protestant. I am a Catholic. He ... A: I am not sure what a satisfactory answer would be but I will give it my best. If your friend is ... | |
| Original Sin | 4/6/2012 |
| Q: Father Bechtel, I am a life long Catholic and my wife is a convert. During her RCIA class over ... A: That John the Baptist was sinless is not a dogma of the Church, but it is pious tradition. What the ... | |
| indulgences | 4/5/2012 |
| Q: I am having a difficult time explaining indulgences to my protestant friends. Can you give me an ... A: An Indulgence is defined as: The Remission of the temporal punishment of Sin which has been ... | |
| Holy Water | 3/28/2012 |
| Q: Pax! What is the difference between Holy Water blessed in Novus Ordo and Holy Water blessed in 1962 ... A: I am not a Liturgy expert, but what your friend said sounds correct to me. When you asked me "What ... | |
| Holy Water | 3/28/2012 |
| Q: Pax! What is the difference between Holy Water blessed in Novus Ordo and Holy Water blessed in 1962 ... A: Absolutely nothing. The only difference perhaps may be in the solemnity of the blessing---but Holy ... | |
| Mass wording | 3/18/2012 |
| Q: The first wording is in the Nicene Creed and the sentence is as follows: He will come again in ... A: Since there is only one true God all people, not just Catholics will be judged. Those judged worthy ... | |
| Mass wording | 3/17/2012 |
| Q: The first wording is in the Nicene Creed and the sentence is as follows: He will come again in ... A: Remember that the Church teaches there is one judgement, but this one judgement finds expression in ... | |
| Preist/Reverend | 3/12/2012 |
| Q: I am a Methodist who has done work for a Catholic Preist in the church. In one letter to me he ... A: Reverend is simply a title which means "Revered." It applies to Catholic priests as much as to ... | |
| Odd occurence | 3/11/2012 |
| Q: I am a member of the congregation of Church "A" and also a Eucharistic Minister in that church. I ... A: What is possible is that the pastor of church B called the pastor of Church A and perhaps told him ... | |
| married priests | 3/5/2012 |
| Q: Today if the church has a priest who is married, it is because he was a married priest from a ... A: As far as I understand it under the Old Order and the New Order this is allowed by papal fiat--that ... | |
| devotion to Mary | 3/5/2012 |
| Q: Some Protestant groups accuse Catholics of worshiping Mary. I know that is forbidden by the church. ... A: That, Al, is a great question! It is a question I am sure any Protestant would expect would stump a ... | |
| Confused... | 2/23/2012 |
| Q: I have been a convert to the Catholic Church for nearly 3 years now... I have read books, tracts, ... A: You have been to many a priest, read multiple apologetic works on the subject, prayed, etc, and say ... | |
| mass intention | 2/20/2012 |
| Q: My family asked for mass to be said for my brother, who is in a lot of trouble. The stipend was ... A: The General Intercessions which are prayed at Mass are just that: General. The Mass is offered ... | |
| commuion | 2/20/2012 |
| Q: Is it a mortal sin to receive communion at a Protestant church if it's for a relative on a special ... A: Let me present this to you, and you decide. My extended family is a mix of denominations. My ... | |
| catholic beliefs | 2/15/2012 |
| Q: My girlfriend is catholic and I am not. I am a Christian. We have been discussing these subjects and ... A: Before I answer your specific questions, it is necessary to explain to you how Catholics view the ... | |
| willing money to priest | 2/14/2012 |
| Q: My aging mother-in-law has changed her will to give all of her money to her priest. Not the church, ... A: In light of your reaction to my first answer I will revise my answer to give you my original gut ... | |
| Male Fertility Testing | 2/13/2012 |
| Q: Bechtel, How are you? I hope all is well. I have a question regarding the morality of male ... A: Yes there is a way to obtain a sample that is morally acceptable. You can speak with a medical ... | |
| mass | 2/6/2012 |
| Q: Laudetur Jesus Christus! In some monasteries they offer private Masses and conventual Masses. If the ... A: I am not sure that the Church says anything "official" about this. What I do know is this: The ... | |
| relic of St. John Neumann | 2/5/2012 |
| Q: A friend bought a bracelet (roses with saints on the back of each) on ebay, and along with the ... A: First, about classes of relics: A First Class Relic is a part of the saint's body--such as a chip ... | |
| conception | 2/2/2012 |
| Q: I asked this question of another priest on this forum and got a one sentence answer that had ... A: Joan, I am sorry to hear all of this. Certainly you would understand "Our Lady of Sorrows." ... | |
| curious | 2/1/2012 |
| Q: I am a practitioner, born and raised, of the Asatru religion. I am curious about different ... A: Our beliefs such that they are very different, yet at first glance do not seem to be that far apart. ... | |
| addiction | 1/30/2012 |
| Q: i experianced sex and homo sexuality ever since i was small first i was too little to know that it ... A: First we need to define the terms: Homosexual (same sex) attraction refers to a person who ... | |
| How to teach stepdaughter (whose mom is SDA) catholic beliefs | 1/12/2012 |
| Q: I have two step-daughters (ages 12 and 14) that stay with us throughout the week and in the weekend ... A: I am not saying not to evangelize, and I commend your desire to share the Faith---but evangelization ... | |
| Catholic vs Protestant | 1/10/2012 |
| Q: We doing a project for National History Day. We are doing our project of The Revolution Reaction and ... A: In a sense the Catholic Church brought the Reformation on itself because of the rampant moral ... | |
| Catholic vs Protestant | 1/10/2012 |
| Q: We doing a project for National History Day. We are doing our project of The Revolution Reaction and ... A: Dustin, Before I answer this I need to know if by "Revolution, Reaction and Reform" you mean ... | |
| lack of form | 1/6/2012 |
| Q: I got married 7 years ago to guy who had 2 previous marriages that were both divorced before we got ... A: This does not sound like a simple "Lack of Form" Annulment to me. Who told you this? If your ... | |
| Baptist view on Catholicism | 1/3/2012 |
| Q: Grew up in a loving, Catholic home. Recently my 56 year old brother, baptized Catholic, got engaged ... A: I am not sure that we can label all Baptists together and say "All Baptists hate Catholics." Some ... | |
| The Birth of Christ according to Catholic Teaching | 12/29/2011 |
| Q: I was watching the live midnight mass from Southwark Cathedral (as I do every Christmas Eve) when ... A: The answer to your question depends on who you ask. If you as a Baptist Fundamentalist the Baptist ... | |
| Jehovah's Witnesses | 12/24/2011 |
| Q: A Jehovah's witness friend of mine said that they are connected to the apostles throughout history. ... A: The Jehovah's Witness organization (The Watchtower) is basically the fourth century Arian heresy ... | |
| (Lumen gentium 14) | 12/23/2011 |
| Q: Greetings, I was wanting some insight on this, thanks! "...if you believe that the Catholic ... A: I don't know if the average lay person knows more about the Faith then some priests so much as it is ... | |
| (Lumen gentium 14) | 12/22/2011 |
| Q: Greetings, I was wanting some insight on this, thanks! "...if you believe that the Catholic ... A: Here is the relevant citation in content from Lumen Gentium 14: "This Sacred Council wishes to turn ... | |
| Marriage to a non-Catholic and possibility of divorce | 12/22/2011 |
| Q: I am a Catholic married to a non-Catholic man (Protestant). We got married in a non-denominational ... A: Catherine, I appreciate your question and the difficult situation you find yourself in. ... | |
| copyright violation | 12/15/2011 |
| Q: I was doubting whether hearing covers of violins or any other instrument over an artist's song was a ... A: Karen, The Church gives us general principles with which to inform our Conscience. It is up to us ... | |
| inter religious marriage | 12/13/2011 |
| Q: Why inspite of knowing the threats it can pose to christianity ,the church is so linient on the ... A: Marriage is a natural right. A man and a women have a fundamental and natural right to Marry. The ... | |
| confession and past sins | 12/12/2011 |
| Q: I have a question regarding confession. I know you are supposed to confess all mortal sins. What ... A: Here is what you do if you want certainty regarding the issue: Make an appointment with a priest, ... | |
| Re: Priesthood | 12/10/2011 |
| Q: I am 42 years old married man with 1 child. I have always wanted to be a priest just was not sure ... A: Let's reverse the"You know, I know I am a priest, but I really feel like God is calling me to ... | |
| Genetic Modification | 12/7/2011 |
| Q: I am doing some research on a project for school centered around my main question of, "Should ... A: Life is not a commodity to be "designed" by our personal taste and desires. Every life is a unique ... | |
| Valid Baptism? | 12/6/2011 |
| Q: I wanted to know if since I took the sacrament willingly, to follow god in his church my sins were ... A: Baptism is valid for someone unwilling, but the grace is not efficacious unless or until the person ... | |
| Can you explain this to me? | 12/2/2011 |
| Q: Can you explain to me what this link says about restitution and when it is obligatory to pay back ... A: In making restitution, the point is not whether someone got hurt. The point is justice. Justice is ... | |
| This got me worried | 11/30/2011 |
| Q: So the reason I started getting freaked out about counting our sins is that I found this website ... A: Karen, Stop being so legalistic. This is not a court room and I am not a lawyer. The spirit of ... | |
| Advice? | 11/30/2011 |
| Q: I encouraged lying in taxes and I got money from taxes because of this and others got money for me ... A: Karen, If you came to me to discuss this personally instead of giving you advice, I would probably ... | |
| Venial sins? | 11/29/2011 |
| Q: Getting out of pe class at the end of class when the teacher said we were not supposed to, and ... A: When confessing sins you should state the number or at least give an indication of whether there is ... | |
| Gov. of NY still receiving communion | 11/29/2011 |
| Q: The Bishop of Albany, and Bishop Dolan of New York City, who is also President of the American ... A: First, whether I agree with the bishop's you mention or not---as a priest I am in no position to ... | |
| Venial sins? | 11/28/2011 |
| Q: Getting out of pe class at the end of class when the teacher said we were not supposed to, and ... A: First, just because something involves "Grave Matter" does not entail the sin is Mortal. Grave ... | |
| Restitution | 11/27/2011 |
| Q: for restitution for violating copyright, like downloading illegal music and movies etc. do we have ... A: Let me ask you this: Why do you have reason not to trust the advice your priest gave you? It seems ... | |
| questions | 11/25/2011 |
| Q: is this venial sin or mortal? -damaging some school books because i was careless, but the damage is ... A: First, all Sin is to be avoided whether it is "Mortal" or "Venial." Sometimes I think people have ... | |
| Manger scene. | 11/24/2011 |
| Q: This time of year many people place the manger scene in their front lawns. Usually Mary, Joseph, ... A: I don't think it is necessary that the Manger Scenes have to be historically accurate (Which they ... | |
| Confession question | 11/23/2011 |
| Q: I have a question about numbering our sins in kind in number. I can say about how often a did ... A: I think there are things we should pick our battles on and the things you mention above are not ... | |
| Plenary indulgences | 11/19/2011 |
| Q: I am an expert in another area on this site (for four years). I am a devout Roman Catholic and ... A: I can only assume that the person you corresponded with when you brought up the thief and "Today you ... | |
| Confession question | 11/18/2011 |
| Q: I have a question about numbering our sins in kind in number. I can say about how often a did ... A: I have said it before and I will say it again: Confession is NOT meant to be a legalistic burden on ... | |
| Plenary indulgences | 11/18/2011 |
| Q: I am an expert in another area on this site (for four years). I am a devout Roman Catholic and ... A: (If I leave something out that you feel I did not address, or want more detail just ask---for now I ... | |
| Faith | 11/11/2011 |
| Q: Father, recently I have found myself on a difficult journey of understanding what being a Christian ... A: First, that the popes beginning with John XXIII were held hostages to the New Age Mother Earth ... | |
| Talking to the dead | 11/9/2011 |
| Q: I read you're answer for a recent question and you said Bible speaks against talking to the dead. ... A: When the Bible forbids contact with the dead the Bible is forbidding summoning them back from the ... | |
| Concern about unpardonable sin | 11/7/2011 |
| Q: In the past, I have despaired and believed out of weakness that God doesn't love me and forgive me ... A: Those who commit the "Unpardonable Sin" or "Sin against the Holy Spirit" don't care they have ... | |
| Questions | 11/4/2011 |
| Q: I hope things are going well with you and yours whereever you may be. I am 52, living in Canada. ... A: First, not only should you get to Mass more often, you MUST get to Mass more often. This is to say ... | |
| Golf on Sunday | 10/31/2011 |
| Q: I enjoy taking my two children out for golf on Sundays after Mass. We never miss mass. I enjoy the ... A: As long as you are getting to Mass and not missing Mass for the purpose of playing golf this kind of ... | |
| My conversion | 10/21/2011 |
| Q: For 35 years I was a very loyal Roman Catholic. I was even an extra-ordinary minister of the ... A: First, I am aware that Catholics do not as a whole read the Bible. This is especially true among ... | |
| uncertainty | 10/19/2011 |
| Q: I'm sure you must get some regular amount of these questions but here goes: I'm a teenage boy who ... A: First, I have answered a similar question before on this site. I would invite you to go over that ... | |
| Saturday mass | 10/10/2011 |
| Q: Is it a sin to attend Saturday mass for the sole purpose to play golf on Sunday morning? A: The original concept behind Saturday Mass was to offer Catholics who had to work on Sunday a means ... | |
| Vatican | 10/9/2011 |
| Q: Ave Maria! Why does the Catholic Church need an own country? What the purpose of this? A: Actually the Catholic Church does not "need" to "own" a country, it just so happens that the head of ... | |
| godparents | 10/8/2011 |
| Q: My wife recently gave birth to our son, so now the next step is to get him baptized. The only ... A: The best suggestion I can offer is that you bring this concern to your priest and discuss it with ... | |
| Salvation | 10/8/2011 |
| Q: 1. Are non-Catholics or non-Christians not going be saved just because they were born non-Catholics ... A: 1) God desires the salvation of all. The reason Catholics want to evangelize people and bring them ... | |
| Veneration of the cross. | 9/28/2011 |
| Q: I am a catholic from birth.i was taught that catholic do not worship idol, i don't understand the ... A: We need to know the difference between an act of worship and an act of veneration before the ... | |
| Religious Spirituality | 9/25/2011 |
| Q: What is Religious Spirituality based on the teachings of Vatican II documents? ANSWER: Do you mean ... A: First there appears to be varied ways in which those who are professed live out their vows. All who ... | |
| Relationship of the Church to Non -Christians | 9/20/2011 |
| Q: Can you help me to summarize 'LG-16,GS-92 and Declaration on the Relationship of the Church to Non ... A: Lumen Gentium 16 deals with the plan of salvation for non-christian religions and those who through ... | |
| Salvation of non-Catholics | 9/20/2011 |
| Q: My husband and I are "cradle" protestants who believe in Christ Jesus and agree that salvation is ... A: This is a bit of a tough question because there are subtle nuances to it. In the history of the ... | |
| What is 1st and 2nd Aorist? Can you expalin this in pure "English"? | 9/18/2011 |
| Q: I have been an Active Apologist for 3 years now; trying and aiming to defend the Catholic Faith from ... A: I bet you would like a nice explanation from me, and let me say I would love to give you one! ... | |
| Creation | 9/15/2011 |
| Q: We say God created man, but the process for creation of other animals like us depend on 200-500 ... A: If you are trying to tell me this is amazing, then I agree. I can say that the physical creation of ... | |
| bible | 9/6/2011 |
| Q: How does one take care of something like the Bible? A: You should treat the Bible with respect and dignity. Bibles should not be simply discarded with ... | |
| Idol Worship | 9/5/2011 |
| Q: As the subject says i wanted to ask some things bout idol worship. We Catholics use idols and ... A: First, Catholics use images in worship and devotion, we do not use "idols." The difference lies in ... | |
| annulment | 9/4/2011 |
| Q: my mother was a virgin, which is the only reason my dad married her back in the 60's. my mom told ... A: First, let me say that I am sorry to hear of this. This is very hurtful to you I am sure. The ... | |
| Title : Very Reverend | 9/1/2011 |
| Q: Can a priest/pastor lose the title of "Very Reverend" simply because his official title in a ... A: The title "Very Reverend" is usually used as a title for the Dean. The Canonical Title for dean is ... | |
| Hell or Purgatory | 8/20/2011 |
| Q: I hope you do not take the following question offensively; however its a question that has recently ... A: If Purgatory exists as the Catholic Church teaches, then all those who die with attachments to sin ... | |
| Protestantism vs. Catholicism | 8/19/2011 |
| Q: Father, I am a Roman Catholic and my fiance is a Fundamentalist Christian. When we first became ... A: First, let me state that in situations such as this my primary concern as a priest is whether or not ... | |
| Hell or Purgatory | 8/19/2011 |
| Q: I hope you do not take the following question offensively; however its a question that has recently ... A: The person you talked to is probably well intentioned but sadly misinformed. Indeed, the Catholic ... | |
| mortal sin | 8/13/2011 |
| Q: i committed the sin of masturbation and i didnt no it was a mortal sin but i knew it was bad so is ... A: The Church teaches that masturbation is a Mortal Sin. However there can be factors which mitigate ... | |
| i don't know what it all ment | 8/2/2011 |
| Q: I have been having problems with my oldest daughter, I sent her to visit her father for the weekend ... A: Kimberly, I am sorry I can't offer you some kind of peace here, I have no idea what any of this ... | |
| communion | 8/2/2011 |
| Q: I am a catholic but like to learn about the beliefs of other denominations.I have just attended a ... A: There are certain things we can profess together with the Protestants: that Jesus Christ is Lord, ... | |
| Interfaith Marriage | 7/29/2011 |
| Q: I am muslim male and I have a catholic girl friend. We are looking to get married next year but we ... A: This is certainly going to have to be something the two of you are going to have to work out and ... | |
| communion | 7/27/2011 |
| Q: I am a catholic but like to learn about the beliefs of other denominations.I have just attended a ... A: First, you were right to decline communion in a Protestant Church. Catholics do not profess the ... | |
| bible | 7/19/2011 |
| Q: How does one protect/preserved/archived the Bible in heaven? ANSWER: We will not need to protect ... A: The Bible is a valuable item, indeed the most valuable item a Christian can possess. Nevertheless ... | |
| bible | 7/19/2011 |
| Q: How does one reprint the Bible? How is the original copy preserved so well? ANSWER: Actually we no ... A: I am sorry, but I really don't understand the question. The Bible is not a source of power, God is ... | |
| bible | 7/18/2011 |
| Q: How does one protect/preserved/archived the Bible in heaven? A: We will not need to protect the Bible in heaven because we will not need the Bible in heaven. The ... | |
| bible | 7/17/2011 |
| Q: How does one reprint the Bible? How is the original copy preserved so well? ANSWER: Actually we no ... A: If you are asking about whether there are "transmission errors" in the copies we have available, the ... | |
| bible | 7/16/2011 |
| Q: How does one reprint the Bible? How is the original copy preserved so well? A: Actually we no longer possess the original autographs on which the Inspired Word of God was written. ... | |
| Sins | 7/11/2011 |
| Q: Hey Well I'm a teenager who is very open to every type of person. My question is kinda hard to ... A: Abby, Lust is not a natural human feeling, lust is a sinful desire because Lust objectifies a ... | |
| Illness and priesthood | 6/25/2011 |
| Q: I'm currently trying to decide my vocation, whether God is calling me to marriage or to the ... A: In some ways, joining the priesthood is like joining the military---that is to say there are certain ... | |
| Sexual attraction | 6/23/2011 |
| Q: I read on a Protestant website that physical attraction and sexual attraction are two different ... A: What Protestant website did you read this on? What was the name of the article? What was the ... | |
| ranks of priesthood | 6/22/2011 |
| Q: In the ranks of the priesthood, where do Reverend,Very Reverend, Most Reverend & Right Reverend come ... A: A Vicar General is analogous to the senior executive management of a corporation. Again depending ... | |
| Invalid confession-stealing | 6/22/2011 |
| Q: Years ago a person gave me a computer program that was not paid for. recently i have confessed ... A: It would not make the Confession invalid. In order for a Confession to be invalid the person would ... | |
| Feel like a "floor mat" | 6/21/2011 |
| Q: I read your spiritual counsel to the recent Q&A dated 18 June 2011 – Catholics / Forgiveness with ... A: Jesus does not call us to be floor mats. He calls us to fight evil with love. Fighting evil with ... | |
| ranks of priesthood | 6/21/2011 |
| Q: In the ranks of the priesthood, where do Reverend,Very Reverend, Most Reverend & Right Reverend come ... A: Reverend is a title that all priests carry. It is a title which simply means "Revered." When I ... | |
| Forgiveness | 6/18/2011 |
| Q: Father Bechtel! I am a devout Catholic. Forgiveness is very important. Forgiveness, I believe, is ... A: First, I see a bit of a contradiction which I need to point out. You claim forgiveness is very ... | |
| help | 6/17/2011 |
| Q: I'm a teenage boy and I really need some guidance. I've been trying to stop masturbating for a while ... A: First, let me clarify what a Mortal Sin is: A Mortal Sin is sin unto death. In order to comfit a ... | |
| Stem cells vs society | 6/16/2011 |
| Q: If there was a technology out there, currently being researched, that potentially had the ability to ... A: As I understand it Embryonic Stem Cell Research involves research and the utilization of embryos. ... | |
| Catholic Funeral Customs | 6/16/2011 |
| Q: What is presumed about life after death? What is values and symbolic representations are evident ... A: What is presumed about life after death? What is always presumed is that the person who died is in ... | |
| City Hall/ Church Wedding | 6/15/2011 |
| Q: I am having a church wedding October 2012, but I wanted to ask if the Catholic church is okay with ... A: I understand your intentions are good, the problem is that while in the eyes of the state you would ... | |
| Catholics and Designer Babies | 6/12/2011 |
| Q: I am currently working on a research assignment for Study of Religion and was hoping that you could ... A: As I understand it (correct me if I am wrong)the concept of Designer Babies means that parents can ... | |
| Lost of faith.... | 6/8/2011 |
| Q: Greetings Father, I was wanting to know what does one do when they have lost their faith? To be ... A: The subject of Justification/Salvation is a quite complex subject. The problem is talking with ... | |
| Lost of faith.... | 6/7/2011 |
| Q: Greetings Father, I was wanting to know what does one do when they have lost their faith? To be ... A: In order for me to deal precisely with your question, we need to cut through the fog and get to the ... | |
| Lost of faith.... | 6/7/2011 |
| Q: Greetings Father, I was wanting to know what does one do when they have lost their faith? To be ... A: Let me assure you that with all due respect to Gandhi God indeed has a religion and it is the Church ... | |
| Marriage | 6/4/2011 |
| Q: Father- my Catholic nephew is marrying another catholic whose anullment is not completed. I ... A: This is unfortunately characteristic of modern day Catholicism for many people. People want God, ... | |
| Being accomplice | 6/3/2011 |
| Q: Father Dave, I have a question regarding being accomplice to sin. Someone in my life had sex out ... A: What you can say is that we commend her soul to a just and loving God. Unfortunately there are ... | |
| Marriage | 6/3/2011 |
| Q: Father- my Catholic nephew is marrying another catholic whose anullment is not completed. I ... A: I need to update my answer after further research and consideration. First, the advice given by ... | |
| I swore to God | 6/2/2011 |
| Q: Father, I swore to God that if my husband looked at impure things on the computer again that I ... A: let's get off the subject of Heaven and Hell for a moment. Many times people want to reduce ... | |
| Immaculate Conception | 5/31/2011 |
| Q: Father, your guidance and answer are helping me a lot, but I need a better understanding on the ... A: I will reply to your points by number so you can follow: 1)If one reads through the entire OT/NT ... | |
| Immaculate Conception | 5/27/2011 |
| Q: Father, your guidance and answer are helping me a lot, but I need a better understanding on the ... A: The Immaculate Conception is defined thusly: in the first instance of [Mary's] conception, by a ... | |
| tattoos | 5/27/2011 |
| Q: I was wondering what the Catholic stance on tattoos is. I have several tattoos (praying hands, a ... A: As far as I am aware, the Catholic Church has no specific stance on tattoos. I think with regard to ... | |
| Catholics and organ donations | 5/27/2011 |
| Q: I am recently doing and assignment for study of religion involving that of the acceptability of ... A: Xenotransplantation as I understand it involved the placing of foreign animal tissue into the human ... | |
| Catholic Church's position on Common-law relationships | 5/26/2011 |
| Q: I am simply looking for some clarity as to what is the Catholic Church's position on Common-Law ... A: The women should not receive holy communion because she living with this man as though they are ... | |
| My struggle with my faith, Priests fighting evil and my Catholic friend. | 5/26/2011 |
| Q: My name is Taylor and I'm a non-denominational Christian but raised Protestant. I'm not really what ... A: You have certainly been through the ringer my friend, and I can perfectly understand why you would ... | |
| My struggle with my faith, Priests fighting evil and my Catholic friend. | 5/25/2011 |
| Q: My name is Taylor and I'm a non-denominational Christian but raised Protestant. I'm not really what ... A: First, I think we need to get our terminology down: All non-denominational Christians are ... | |
| Man-made catholic traditions | 5/23/2011 |
| Q: I wanted to ask you about "man made catholic traditions" like the saints who said that the virgin ... A: I apologize---you are correct on the date. The Immaculate Conception was defined on December 8, ... | |
| Man-made catholic traditions | 5/23/2011 |
| Q: I wanted to ask you about "man made catholic traditions" like the saints who said that the virgin ... A: Not exactly. Yes, it is natural to struggle with certain teachings that are binding---however the ... | |
| Man-made catholic traditions | 5/22/2011 |
| Q: I wanted to ask you about "man made catholic traditions" like the saints who said that the virgin ... A: First of all traditions that are "man made" are not necessarily bad things if they are in accordance ... | |
| CCC 460 | 5/22/2011 |
| Q: Can you explain the CCC 460? What is theosis? CCC 460 states, 460 The Word became flesh to make us ... A: Theosis is divinization. Christ became man so that man might become gods. We need, however to ... | |
| The Glorious mysteries- Rosary | 5/18/2011 |
| Q: The 4th and 5th Decade in the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary are very confusing to me...I know we ... A: We say that the Rosary is a prayer focused on Christ precisely because it is a meditation on the ... | |
| Divorce | 5/16/2011 |
| Q: I am paul writing from the island of malta in the middle of the mediterranean. This month in Malta ... A: It depends on the reason for divorce. If the husband is beating the children and his wife, ... | |
| Divorce | 5/16/2011 |
| Q: I am paul writing from the island of malta in the middle of the mediterranean. This month in Malta ... A: I am not sure I can tell you how to vote. That is a decision you have to make guided by the ... | |
| Consent of will..help! | 5/12/2011 |
| Q: I hope all is well with you. I have a question dealing with the "consent of ones will" in committing ... A: Shawn, Thank you for your question. First, let me clarify what a Mortal Sin is: The essence of a ... | |
| maria | 5/10/2011 |
| Q: Pax et bonum! In some prayers I see both Mater and Genitrix. When should we say mater and when ... A: This is quite a unique question. I have never thought of this before, nor has anyone asked me this ... | |
| Islam | 5/9/2011 |
| Q: Is Allah the same as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? If not who is He/he and from whence does ... A: There are three Revealed Monotheistic religions in the world: Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. ... | |
Catholics
Answers by Expert:
Father Dave Bechtel
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I am a Catholic priest in good standing. I am from the Diocese of Scranton PA. I can answer most any questions on the Catholic Faith accurately. My specific area of study is Systamatic/Dogmatic Theology. One of my interests specifically is on the differences between Catholics and Protestants. If you have general questions about the Catholic Faith/issues pertaining to the Catholic Faith, or on Catholic/Protestant issues I feel more then able to answer your questions.
Experience
Formerly I was a member at CARM (Christian Apologetics Research Ministry.) I was a member from 2006 until around 2009. On this website I would respond to many threads attacking or asking questions about the Catholic Faith.
I have also had correspondence with some Protestant apologists over the email. Robert Zinz of a Christian Witness to Roman Catholics and Mike Gendron who wrote a book called "Preparing Catholics For Eternity." I was not a priest at the time of correspondence with these people, nor were they aware of my aspirations to be a priest.
I have had some polite conversations over the email with some Catholic professors of theology, some orthodox, some not so orthodox in their teaching.
I answer questions on Wiki-answers about the Catholic Faith from time to time.
None of this is to mention my day to day experience with people in the parish and in the surrounding community.
Education/Credentials
Bachelors of Science-- University of Scranton PA
Masters of Arts Theology---Saint Mary's Seminary and University Baltimore MD
Masters of Divinity--- Saint Charles Borremeo Seminary Philadelphia PA
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