Editor’s Note: In a recent reply from a reader who identified herself as “just a grandmother,” we took note of how vital grandmothers are.
Now a friend has sent us a book entitled A Grandparent’s Gift of Memories: A Pilgrimage With the Saints. Written by Nancy Groves, the book offers the reader an opportunity to compile a journal of the various chapters in one’s life — from infancy through youth, marriage, raising a family, and being grandparents.
Each chapter is introduced by a biographical sketch of an appropriate saint, for example, Gerard Majella, the patron saint of expectant mothers; Aloysius Gonzaga and Maria Goretti, patron saints of youth; Valentine of Rome and Rita Cascia, patron saints of marriage; the Holy Family as patrons of family life; and Anne and Joachim as patrons of grandparents.
“This journal,” says the author, “provides a beautiful way for Catholics to pass on the richness of their faith to their grandchildren, to affirm the assistance they received along the way from the communion of saints, and to record examples of Christian living that grandchildren can emulate. The format of the book invites grandparents to reflect on the milestones of life and to record memories that capture the essence of their journey within the context of their faith.”
A Grandparent’s Gift of Memories can be ordered from Amazon.com. Do an Internet search for other options, or call your local Catholic bookstore.
Q. I have been receiving mail from a Fr. Timothy Ring of Mary, Queen of the Third Millennium, in Houston, Texas. It seems like an orthodox Catholic organization, but I’m not sure. What can you tell me? — E.J.G., Texas.
A. We don’t have enough information to advise you. Can any readers help out?
Q. I understand that Pope Francis has just announced that priests ordained under the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) will be able to hear Confessions during the Year of Mercy. I thought there was a problem with the bishops of the SSPX. I know that their excommunications were lifted by Pope Benedict XVI, but the Society still does not accept some teachings of the Church. If priests were ordained by these bishops, were their Ordinations valid? Will Pope Francis’ concession to SSPX priests to hear Confessions be in perpetuity, or just during the Year of Mercy? — M.B., Iowa.
A. Since the four excommunicated and now reinstated bishops were validly ordained, any priests ordained by them received valid Holy Orders. Pope Francis’ permission for SSPX priests to hear Confessions was for the Jubilee Year that ends on November 20, 2016. Whether he will extend that permission remains to be seen. He did express the hope that “in the near future solutions may be found to recover full communion with the priests and superiors of the Fraternity.”
Q. I thought I knew the difference between liceity and validity of the sacraments, but now I am confused. If Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Communion, Extreme Unction [Anointing of the Sick], and Holy Orders are valid even when done by a priest without faculties, why wouldn’t Confession also be valid when done by a priest without faculties? Why the difference? What is the source for the Pope’s authority to decree that such Confessions are valid or invalid? Can a bishop make the decision for his own diocese?
Your column didn’t mention marriage. My understanding is that the bride and groom actually perform the sacrament, and the priest serves as the required witness. I would agree here that the Church does have the right to determine the qualifications for a priest to witness a Catholic wedding. If two Catholics get married before a priest who doesn’t have the required faculties, is that a valid marriage? Are these decisions made by the Pope? Or is this left for each bishop to decide for his diocese? — S.S., Missouri.
A. Regarding the Sacrament of Penance, canon law (c. 966) says that “for the valid absolution of sins, it is required that, besides the power received through sacred ordination, the minister possess the faculty to exercise that power over the faithful to whom he imparts absolution. A priest can be given this faculty either by the law itself or by a concession granted by competent authority in accord with the norm of canon 969.”
That canon says that “the local Ordinary [bishop] alone is competent to confer upon any presbyters whatsoever the faculty to hear the confessions of any of the faithful; however, presbyters who are members of religious institutes should not use such a faculty without at least the presumed permission of their superior.”
So while priests receive the power to forgive sins at Ordination, the authority to do so must come from their bishop or religious superior because the priest will be imposing a judgment on the penitent. “Since the other sacraments are not conferred in the manner of a judgment and do not have judicial acts,” said Fr. Nicholas Halligan in his book The Sacraments and Their Celebration, “jurisdiction of itself is not required for them, except for their lawful administration. Thus, a priest may never validly impart absolution unless he possesses penitential jurisdiction in the Church from some valid title” (p. 89).
Regarding the Sacrament of Matrimony, you are correct that the parties confer the sacrament on each other. “The priest,” says Fr. Halligan, “is only the qualified or official witness of the validity and lawfulness of the sacramental contract and thus may be called a minister of the judicial and religious solemnity only” (p. 157). Canon law (cf. c. 1108) says that “only those marriages are valid which are contracted in the presence of the local Ordinary or pastor or a priest or deacon delegated by either of them, who assist, and in the presence of two witnesses.”
The one who assists at the marriage, says the same canon, is understood to be only that person who asks and receives the consent of the two parties “in the name of the Church.” This act of assistance is required for the validity of the marriage. If the one assisting has been suspended from office, excommunicated, or placed under interdict, the marriage is invalid. Decisions in these matters are governed by canon law, to which Popes and bishops must adhere.
Q. Given the many critical issues facing our beloved country, I believe that this coming fall election will be the most important, at least in my lifetime. I think that all citizens, but especially Christians and Catholics, are morally bound to diligently investigate the candidates and render prudent decisions when voting.
Unfortunately, in my opinion, I hear and read that many Catholics, Protestants, and some writers in Catholic publications indicate that they would write in a name and not vote for a candidate for president from either of the two major parties. To do that seems to me a bit irresponsible, almost like opting out of the voting process.
For me personally, I try to rely on my own assessment of what I hear the candidates actually say, and not rely on the broad-brush descriptions that the media, pundits, party leaders, and others provide about the candidates.
My question: Are you aware of any reasonable guidelines to assist Catholic voters in these difficult times? — D.M., via e-mail.
A. Fr. Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life, has published a pamphlet entitled Voting With a Clear Conscience (cf. www.PoliticalResponsibility.com). Among other things, he said the following:
Make sure you vote. Know the candidates and reject those who support abortion. Weigh all issues properly by not giving the same weight to issues of racism, poverty, hunger, education, housing, and health care as you would give to such direct attacks on human life as abortion and euthanasia. Keep your loyalty focused on Jesus, not on a candidate or a political party. Consider how the outcome of the election will affect the future balance of power in the country. Voting for the lesser of two evils is not choosing evil, but is rather an effort to limit evil by voting for a candidate who would do less harm to the country. Support a worthy candidate not only with your vote, but also by volunteering, making phone calls, and handing out literature. Mobilize others to vote, focusing on those who agree with you and reminding them to vote, or even offer them a ride to the polls.
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