Question Corner: How can a priest deal pastorally with those who are quick to suspect people of being Freemasons? September 16, 2026By Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Feature, Question Corner Q: As a parish priest, I found your recent article on the Church’s teaching on Freemasonry interesting, and I have a follow-up question: How can one deal pastorally with parishioners who are quick to suspect people of being Freemasons? I can think of one or two parishioners who are convinced the Vatican is infiltrated by Freemasons, and anybody in Church life they in any way disagree with must be a Freemason. They can be frustrating, as it’s hard to argue with them without them turning around and saying that you must be a Freemason! (Ireland)
Question Corner: Can I receive Communion even if I didn’t attend the whole Mass? September 9, 2026By Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Feature, Question Corner Q: I’m a Catholic working at a funeral home and assisting at many Catholic funerals. I’m not always in the church for the entirety of Mass. I’m sometimes out during the Gospel and homily or after Communion since I’m helping with the arrangements. Since it’s not fulfilling my Sunday obligation, is it still OK for me to receive Communion to offer up for the deceased if I’m not there for the entire Mass? (Illinois)
Question Corner: Why wasn’t Jesus clearer in making St. Peter head of the Church? September 4, 2026By Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Question Corner Q: In the Gospel’s account of Peter’s confession of Christ, Jesus responded with: “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church.” I sometimes wonder if it wouldn’t have been better if Jesus would have skipped the wordplay and simply said: “Peter, I’m making you the first head of my Church.” The verse as is, seems subject to a lot of interpretation. When I was Protestant we all said that the verse implied that the Church would be built on a general confession of Christ, and Peter’s was but one example. Could you comment? (Indiana)
Question Corner: What is the Catholic Church’s teaching on the death penalty? August 31, 2026By Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Question Corner Q: I know officially the Catholic Church is against the death penalty, but what about Genesis 9:6? A: It looks like there are two dimensions to your question: the Church’s teaching on the death penalty, and how we are to read the Old Testament as Catholics.
Question Corner: What is the Catholic Church’s current stance on Freemasonry? August 17, 2026By Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Question Corner Could you clarify the Church’s current stance on Freemasonry? Some seem to think that these days it’s “no different than belonging to Rotary” or any other service club. The local church has parishioners that belong to the local Masonic lodge.
Do I need a new civil marriage license for my convalidation ceremony? August 4, 2026By Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Question Corner How does this work if the Church considers Catholic weddings to be valid even without a civil marriage ceremony?
Question Corner: Would it be wrong for a Catholic to attend a nondenominational praise and worship night? July 28, 2026By Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Question Corner The nondenominational church near my house offers praise and worship nights with music. I’ve been interested in attending, not because I want to convert, but because I like that style of music and any opportunity to join in prayer with others. Would it be wrong for a Catholic to attend this event?
Question Corner: Are weddings at SSPX chapels valid? July 21, 2026By Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Question Corner What is the current situation with marriages and the SSPX? I have heard different things about whether or not weddings at SSPX chapels are valid.
Question Corner: Why are SSPX confessions invalid? July 14, 2026By Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Question Corner Why is it that when the SSPX says Mass, it’s only illicit, but now going to confession with them would be not only illicit but also invalid?
Question Corner: How do I know if I’m excommunicated due to my past support of the SSPX? July 6, 2026By Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Question Corner I used to be supportive of the SSPX and have regularly attended Mass at their chapels at different points in my life. How do I know if I’m excommunicated now?
Question Corner: Would a vow renewal impact a future annulment? June 29, 2026By Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Question Corner Hypothetically, would a vow renewal like this have any impact if a couple were to try for an annulment later?
Question Corner: Should a priest do a Mass intention ‘for the people of the parish’ when there are more specific intentions waiting? June 24, 2026By Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Question Corner The short answer is that your priest isn’t offering Mass for the people of the parish because he personally wanted to or because he thought it was a good idea (although he probably is happy to do this and praying for the people of the parish is indeed a good idea)! Rather, he was offering this specific Mass intention because the Church’s canon law specifically requires him to do so.
