Blasphemy is any word or action or gesture which shows contempt for or insult to God. It is always a mortal sin. It can be direct or indirect. In this latter case, it is scorn or ridicule or contempt shown to the Church, her doctrines and discipline, or sacred persons or things. Sometimes it is joined to heresy or cursing or anger at God.
Reprinted from May 2, 1997
Does a merchant have a duty to tell a buyer about defects
he knows about in the articles he sells?
Merchants have a duty to inform a buyer about any substantial defects in the articles they sell. A substantial defect would be something which renders an article or property useless for the purpose of the buyer or would make it appear to be something other than what it is. A merchant need not call attention to obvious minor defects unless asked about them by the buyer or his agent. If asked, the merchant must answer truthfully and honestly.
Reprinted from October 10, 1997
My employer does not pay me the wages I truly believe that I am worth. Therefore,
I take things home from the shop to use in other jobs and to use around my
house. Is this what is called "occult compensation?"
No. what you are doing is called stealing.
Reprinted from February 21, 1997
Are organ transplants (such as heart, lungs, kidneys) permitted to Catholics?
Yes. If we may lay down our entire life our a friend (John 15:13), we may donate an organ. Some donations such as a kidney, may be made while the donor is still alive. Vital organs, however, may only be donated after natural death occurs. This means that before doctors may remove, for instance, a heart to transplant into another person, the original owner of the heart must be truly dead in a full clinical and theological sense. To deliberately cause the death of an innocent human being, even for the good cause of saving or healing another, is always illicit. This must be remembered in regard to fetal tissue, which is sometimes extracted from unborn infants, killed by abortion.
Reprinted from January 17, 1997
If I tell a lie, do I have to go to the people that I lied to and tell them
the truth?
Restitution is sometimes a necessary duty for liars. This is particularly the case where slander has resulted in harm being done to someone. For instance, if one were to lose a job because of the slander or to have his or her reputation seriously injured, the liar would have to strive to under the damage and make appropriate recitation. In such cases, even if a liar went to confession, the sin of lying or slander would not be taken away until the restitution was made.
Reprinted from November 1, 1996
Is it a sin to be pro-choice in the matter of abortion?
Most likely it is. Being pro-choice in abortion appears to fall in the category of "cooperation in evil" or aiding another in sin." The Second Vatican Council called abortion an abominable crime and a heinous mortal sin. Cooperation or aiding in such a crime and sin makes one an accomplice and guilty along with the direct perpetrator.
Reprinted from November 29, 1996
I owe some restitution for something I store long ago and
for some property that I damaged. Is it all right to delay this restitution?
I plan to leave something in my will to make up for the theft and damage.
Morally it is wrong to delay returning stolen goods or theft value or to delay paying for property damage. Restitution in these justice cases must be done as soon as possible and in full. If one cannot repay the full value immediately, a partial restitution must be made and the remainder paid as soon as possible. However, some moral theologians would say that one could postpone repayment if the loss sustained by your repaying is much greater than the loss the other party would suffer from the postponement. This opinion can be safely followed. But, it should be remembered that restitution is necessary and not making it or unduly postponing it
Reprinted from July 2, 1999