Is it wrong to believe in psychics, such as those who claim
to be able to help the police find missing persons?
It could be a sinful violation of the first commandment to follow or believe in psychics, because the first commandment forbids us to attribute to creatures qualities which belong only to God. Hence, all forms of superstition are forbidden by that commandment. In dealing with the superstitious practices, the possibility of statistical coincidence and even of diabolic activity can never be forgotten. Also, in some instances, there could be some natural possible explanation possible for some things… such as electric al magnetic fields, which empirical science has not yet been able to discover. Someone once remarked, "I am still waiting for the headline which reads: Psychic Wins the Lottery!"
Reprinted from January 9, 1998
How many Catholics are there in the United States?
The Official Catholic Directory for 1997 lists just over 60 million. This is about as accurate a guess as can be obtained. This number would be the Catholics actually registered in parishes. Demographers usually guess there are many more people who would call themselves Catholic in the U.S. than those registered. However, pastors and bishops usually only give the registered figures since many financial assessments are calculated on the census data, and there is a tendency not to report as Catholics any people about whom there might be any uncertainty.
Reprinted from January 9, 1998
Is the number of Catholics in the United States increasing
or decreasing?
Since statistics have been kept, there has been an annual increase in the number of Catholics each year in the U.S.A. In recent years the principal increase has been from immigration and conversions.
Reprinted from January 9, 1998
Is it wrong to believe in psychics, such as those who claim to be able to
help the police find missing persons?
It could be a sinful violation of the first commandment to follow or believe in psychics, because the first commandment forbids us to attribute to creatures qualities which belong only to God. Hence, all forms of superstition are forbidden by that commandment. In dealing with the superstitious practices, the possibility of statistical coincidence and even of diabolic activity can never be forgotten. Also, in some instances, there could be some natural possible explanation possible for some things… such as electric al magnetic fields, which empirical science has not yet been able to discover. Someone once remarked, "I am still waiting for the headline which reads: Psychic Wins the Lottery!"
Reprinted from January 9, 1998
Is it a sin to read other people's letters?
Opening or reading another person's private mail, diaries, notes, etc. can be a sin. It is not a sin if these things are left out in the open where they can be expected to be r3ead. It is not a sin if the permission of the owner can be reasonably presumed and the owner was informed afterward. Also, parents may read these things which belong to their minor children, if they have a reason to suspect this would be for their child's good. If such reading is necessary to avert grave harm to the state, to one's self, or to an innocent third party, this can be done with no sin involved. During war, the government may censor mail and this is not sinful. The degree of sinfulness in reading the private notes, diaries, letters, etc. of another will depend on the harm and injustice done to the offended person.
Reprinted from February 13, 1998
If a woman is threatened with death by a man with a weapon,
is she still required to resist a rape, even if she will probably be killed
if she does not give in?
No, she is not required to resist to the point of death or to the point of likely probability of death.
Reprinted from April 24, 1998
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Is it all right to play sports on Sunday?
Yes, certainly, since sports can add to the joy and relaxation that are suppose to enhance the Lord's Day. Of course, it is wrong and sinful to allow sports to replace our obligation to worship God at Mass on Sunday. It could also be wrong, in my view, to purposely schedule sporting events or practices in such a way that they would interfere with Mass times or with family events.
Reprinted from February 20, 1998