AboutFr. 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, and so am entering into my 7th year of Sacred Ministry.
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.
Question Dear Father, I know the Catechism states that excessive smoking of cigarettes is a sin. I am not addicted to cigarettes and enjoy a few sticks each day of the weekend, particularly over beers with friends. Sometimes on a weekday when my work is particularly burdensome, I do take a cigarette for pleasure. Not much different from relaxing with a glass of wine. However, my conscience tells me that smoking, even a single stick, is a sin. Today's scientific evidence is pretty clear that even a single puff deposits tar and causes damage to the lungs. Not only am I destroying the body God has given me to be a good steward of, but by buying cigarettes, I am also misusing the money God has given me to do His work and good to others. On the other hand, I know that smoking has a social dimension which allows me to bond with my buddies, not to mention the obvious pleasure of smoking in itself. Can I smoke without guilt and still be as holy, pleasing and acceptable to God as a completely non-smoker? Thank you.
Answer Hi, Paul:
Thanks for the question.
Like most anything, moderation in the use of so many things is the key. I guess that the evidence of the long-term harm that cigarettes can do is pretty compelling; and because of this, one would do best to avoid them altogether.
Under the aspect of "cigarette-use", I suppose that objectively a non-smoker would be "holier" than the person who uses cigarettes; but what about overeating and obesity that is such a problem these days? Perhaps this is why one who indulges in moderate smoking might refer to it as their little "vice." I understand that cigarette use has a very addictive property, and once hooked, it is difficult for people to give it up. Perhaps the proportion of imperfection or sinfulness of cigarettes is in the amount consumed, in mush the way that "theft" can be imperfect, venial, or mortal depending on the amount and the circumstances.
Quite frankly, I wish that our anti-smoking society were just as concerned about the evils of contraception. Now there's something that has caused untold harm to true marital love and family life.
