Question Corner: Why did Jesus descend into hell if he was sinless? April 1, 2026By Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Question Corner After his death on the cross, Jesus descended into the “hell” that was simply the netherworld in order to free the dead who had sought to love and honor God despite the original sin that bound them, in order that Jesus might bring them into the fullness of life
Question Corner: Does holy water ‘absolve’ us from venial sin? March 25, 2026By Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Question Corner With respect to holy water in particular, St. Thomas Aquinas specifically identifies the “sprinkling of holy water” as a means for the remission of venial sin in question 87, article 3 of the “Third Part” of his work the “Summa Theologica.”
Question Corner: How do you proceed if an ex refuses to be a part of the annulment process? March 19, 2026By Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Question Corner An important principle in the Church’s law regarding the marriage nullity process is treating both spouses as fairly as possible.
Question Corner: Can you use a deconsecrated altar for other purposes? March 11, 2026By Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Question Corner while a church building that could no longer be used for its original purpose might in some cases lawfully be sold and re-purposed as something like a museum or private residence, this relegation or re-purposing would not affect the status of the altar it once contained.
Question Corner: Does my ex have to be involved in the annulment process? March 5, 2026By Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Marriage & Family Life, Question Corner Practically speaking, when a respondent is willing to participate in the nullity process, this greatly helps the canon lawyer judges in a trial come to a fair and accurate decision, insofar as hearing from the respondent gives the judges a fuller picture of what actually happened.
Question Corner: Should I give up prayers of petition this Lent as my priest suggested in his homily? February 25, 2026By Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Lent, Question Corner Prayers of intercession, where we ask God to help other people in their needs, are also prayers of petition. Since praying for both the living and the dead is a spiritual work of mercy, it wouldn’t seem fitting to give this up for Lent!
Question Corner: Why doesn’t the Church require more demanding fasting for Lent? February 18, 2026By Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Lent, Question Corner A more demanding common discipline would require far more exceptions, which could make it difficult for the majority of the Church to observe them together as one spiritual family.
Question Corner: Why is it a problem for the SSPX to ordain new bishops? February 11, 2026By Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Question Corner SSPX’s proposed episcopal ordinations are a problem because ordaining new bishops without the permission of the pope (technically called a “mandate”) is gravely injurious to Christian unity.
Question Corner: Why are there so many different kinds of convents out there? February 4, 2026By Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Consecrated Life, Question Corner We believe God gives us the kinds of consecrated life we need for the good of all the people of God.
Question Corner: Do Catholics have a theological problem with a woman being the Archbishop of Canterbury? January 28, 2026By Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Question Corner Insofar as some Anglicans might indeed see themselves as “ministers” rather than sacramental “priests,” in a certain sense we might even “agree” with them about a female archbishop of Canterbury, since the Catholic Church has always acknowledged that women are capable of non-sacramental teaching and leadership.
Question Corner: Should girls be altar servers? January 21, 2026By Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Question Corner Some might point out the pastoral benefits of an all-boys altar server team in promoting priestly vocations, while others might appreciate how allowing female altar servers emphasizes our common baptismal priesthood.
Question Corner: Is confession required for obtaining a plenary indulgence if there is no mortal sin? January 14, 2026By Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Question Corner It’s useful to observe that the Church presumes that one seeking an indulgence will already be in a state of grace, meaning free from unconfessed mortal sin.
