Question Corner

Heresy consists of an obstinate — that is, persistent and stubborn — rejection of Catholic teaching by a person after they were baptized.

As Catholics, we believe that God created us with free will, meaning that we decide for ourselves to love God and seek to follow his commandments; or we can choose to reject or ignore God.

When Catholics request a copy of their baptismal certificate, their parish of baptism issues a new hard copy based on the information in the baptismal register.

Religious life is a call to follow Christ more closely by living a vowed life in community according to the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

You are not required to make your own confession out in the open. You can always ask your priest to hear your confession in a more discreet place.

While the law is strict about avoiding any semblance of commercializing Mass intentions, it’s just as strict about ensuring that the faithful’s intentions in this context are respected as a matter of basic justice.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church readily acknowledges that original sin is not the same as a personal choice to commit some evil act on our part.

Catholics believe in a state called purgatory, which is a place of purification specifically in preparation for heaven.