Question Corner: Can persons with mild intellectual disability be married in the Catholic Church? October 13, 2026By Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Question Corner Q: I have a question about the rules and teachings around Catholic marriage for persons with some mild intellectual disability and English language abilities: Can they be married in the Catholic Church? I’m sure you could answer by saying it depends on the individual case, but are there any general rules and advice? (Limerick, Ireland)
Question Corner: At what point does being a pro-choice Catholic become sinful? October 1, 2026By Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Question Corner Q: Catholic governors commit an obviously sinful act when they sign extremely permissive abortion laws. On the other hand, there is an extraordinary minister of holy Communion in my parish who told me she is pro-choice, but I’m not aware she has done anything to support abortion except maybe vote for a pro-choice candidate. My question is: At what point does being a pro-choice Catholic become sinful? (Indianapolis, Indiana)
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?
