I witnessed a priest anoint a dying women. She looked at him so sincerely and said, "Father, I haven't been to church in a very long time." The priest replied, "Well, sometimes we go to church and sometimes the church comes to us." That woman received her last sacrament full of faith and trust in God"s love and mercy. The way she folder her hands and closed her eyes...she looked just like a little girl receiving her First Communion with full knowledge of what the effect the sacrament has. What a beautiful, powerful thing to see.
That is so wrong in many ways. of that priest saying that ti her. It was good she confessed that and sounded as she was sorry for that. But if she was physically and mentally able to confess the rest of her sins before receiving viaticum ( last holy communion). . . We have to confess at last rites if we can speak ti priest audibly and soundly to die in state of grace if we are in full knowledge of being in mortal sin especially so. Plus if anyone else in room that was Catholic that’s like telling them you don’t have to go to Mass every Sunday. That’s a mortal sin for him ti tell her that.
Some of our churches in NY ask for a fee for weddings … Ike 750-1000. My third daughter decided that she is getting married in the church where her former HS chaplain is pastor and not in her parish church. She loves the church because it’s a traditional Brooklyn church.She asked him what the fee was . He responded “for you a tray of your delicious cookies”. Heck , not a bad deal. Lol But seriously, sometimes when these couples ask for the sacrament and they are told that there is a fee, they back away. Let’s face it , most are not churched . As per the annulments… ppl do not understand that the church is not asking to fill her pockets but rather must pay for paper work, and any other background measures that must be used. Also, the deacon who sometimes does the initial interview does not get paid , but rather does it as a service. So when he asks for the 1000 or whatever dollars , he has to explain that it goes for the documentation , papers and any other fees that are encountered when the canon lawyer needs to do. On the qt I use to be my husband’s homing pigeon to the tribunal to deliver the papers … lol
I was born in the 60’s. My parents (both Catholic) got divorced soon after my birth. My mother wanted to send me and my sisters to Catechism, the priest told my mother we weren’t allowed, since my parents were divorced. Fast forward, as an adult with 2 kids of my own, I attended RCIA, got confirmed, and got both my children baptized and confirmed. Even though all those years ago that priest told my mom he wouldn’t allow us to attend catechism, she MADE all of us still attend Mass. God bless my mother (may she rest in peace).
I was raised in the 70's, and the happy clappy days. I drifted away, but my mother instilled a love of Mary. That love brought me back to the church who holds our Immaculate Mother in the highest office a mortal can occupy, and she delivered me to her son. God is in our hearts waiting for us to call, regardless of our upbringing.
In the electrician trade we have a phrase we use for inspectors that inspect beyond our code book standards; we call them “shirt pocket inspectors”. They inspect for what they want to see instead of what the code book dictates. It is good to be principled and have a full development of understanding of what we know, but we cannot hold others accountable to more than what Jesus dictates. Their development under Christ may not be the same as our “shirt pocket” codes, but that is a personal thing between them and Jesus. The Church is there to get us to Jesus. Using it to deny our approach… …that priest was faulty. I am sure he will hold sorrow once he comes to understand what he did to your mother and you kids. Surely your wonder to Christ is something you can put in your “shirt pocket”… …and your kids, they are fortunate kids that you held fast to the truth, just like your Mom taught you to!
These guys are so good. Fun to listen to while conveying church teaching in a conversational way. They are joyful Catholics and it comes across and it’s contagious. 😊
Yes, we do need more priests. We need to raise more holy and self sacrificing sons. If we don't have enough man power in the parish office, that's on us, the parishioners.
@@carolyndutton2851 It's less the fact that a priest is available and more that the office hours are sometimes impossible for working parishioners to get there. Example: I love my parish, but the hours are from 9-4, and closed at lunch. I work from 8-5. When can I stop by?
@@DesertRat2001 RIGHT? I had a priest friend of mine complain that daily masses were always only attended by old people. Um, yeah. If you want the rest of us to attend, have one at 6:30 or 7. We had a 6:30 mass in a city parish that people going to work attended. It was awesome, amazing, and sadly an exception to the rule that priests want to treat their mass-saying like a job like all others. They're kinda stingy with it sometimes. For instance, now I live in the boonies, and there is no daily mass on Mondays because ALL the priests in the diocese have Monday off. Monday, by the way, is the only day I and many in the town could go to daily mass - many of us have Monday off. It's so weird.
Years ago my daughter had a baby out of wedlock, she was turned down by more than 1 priest turned her down. She did finally find a priest who did baptize her.
Pope Francis when he was a cardinal in Argentina would chastise priests who refused to baptize these children. When a priest refuses to baptize a child its like saying you should have had an abortion and then we would not be confronted with problems such as these. Jesus will ask those priests who made you judge and jury. An unmarried person who did not care about the faith would not bother to even have their child baptized. If I were a priest I would ask the person do you plan to raise the child in the faith and if the answer is yes, I would baptize them.
As soon as one priest turned me down, I'd have baptized her myself in an emergency baptism, and then kept looking. What in the WORLD? Talk about an apparent lack of charity, a lack of mercy, for an innocent soul!. You said more than one said not, though, so in all charity to the priests, I will ask my priest what the reason may have been for a priest to have done that. Too scary, imo, to have not done it, though, for the sake of the soul of the child.
When my first baby was born 40 yrs ago I contacted the Catholic Church in the new town I moved to to have my baby baptized. He told me it would cost $400-500 to do a records search for all my Catholic records. As a young struggling couple we were not in a position to pay that kind of money. I was only 20 and had been a lifelong Catholic but hadn’t attended mass since I was 18. I didn’t return to the church for over 20 years as I was so affected by what I was told ! I knew it didn’t sound right.
@@CherubChick1221 YES, CherubChick! We ALL need encouragement. Soemtimes we feel ike the Church is a solid black line with a white collar. Priests are humans, and sssoooo many of them are corrupted, in little and big ways, like all of us. We have to chase it down; we have to have the courage to do that.
When mom died, the parish priest said he would NOT accept a donation for the funeral because we did so much for the parish all the time. It was a gift from him. The day of the funeral, get a call from the mortuary "we're here at the church, they won't let us set up until we pay a $50 stipend" was it Linda or Fran? Yeah, pay it, be there soon. It's not always the priest that "charges" the fee.
When my mom passed 12 years ago this Feb 27 , I asked a Church in Miami to do her mass, and they said it would be 500 for the mass. I obviously was sad about my moms passing and didn't want to argue with them but I was very disappointed , especially because my son's comunion was in that church and I helped with CCD classes. Went to Good Sheppard and the priest was wonderful. He didnt know me but talked beautiful about a woman he never knew. He explained about the 3 angels that comes thru our life and till this day I have people saying how peaceful they all left after that mass. I didn't have much by I gave a donation that covered the piano and a lovely lady singing 2 songs I requested for my mom. One of the songs it's very old and most people don't sing it and he made sure that "Madre, Mirame" was sang that morning. God Bless him and all the great priests that do care 🙏 for us.
The church I grew up in and the church my dad grew up has written in the funeral planning pamphlet.. "being a parishioner of ______ parish you agree to the guidelines put in this pamphlet. If you don't like it find another parish." We found this planning my mother's funeral this past October. My mom worked as DRE for the parish for 20 something years. My mom became catholic in that parish, my dad was baptized in that parish as well as all of us children. We wanted to plan my mom's funeral like we did so many other family members in the parish but the new priest said they are not allowing parishioners to plan funerals. Or minimally plan the funeral. We had a cousin who was the celebrant priest of the funeral mass. My aunt is a nun. We knew the Canon laws regarding funeral masses but the guidelines were a lot more strict. Very sad they caused more pain in a already painful time.
I LOVE our priest Msg Douglas Raun at St.Thomas Aquinas in Rio Rancho he doesn't require parents to be registered to baptize and no one has to pay for any Sacraments. He also has confession 2 times a day 6 days a week.
It's refreshing to hear this. I was charged 50k naira ($35) %. Then I had to pay the choir same amount for them to sing at the wedding. I was mad because it felt like we were mandated to pay for sacrament. It would have been okay if it came from a request, gift, offertory approach like you said. It was however mandatory much that without the payment, wedding mass wasn't going to be celebrated and choir weren't going to sing at mass. Then I wondered, why didn't the lector, alter servers and church wardens charge? We need to constantly reorient ourselves and nd how we live out our liturgical mission. New subscriber all the way from Nigeria. I love your page.
Thank you for another great episode! If I may put in my 2 cents on a particular matter please everyone feel free to comment if you either agree/disagree with what I'm going to say. Just some background I am a convert and was baptized in 2020 and I dearly love the Catholic faith. I know this lady (through business) who is a cradle Catholic but stopped attending as a teenager, married a non-Catholic not even in the Catholic Church and the Church has NO bearing in her life. She had her first baby and got them baptized in 2021 but never attended before or after the baptism. She then had a second child a couple of years later and got them baptized but again same circumstances. When I asked why she baptized her children she said she wanted them to enter Catholic school as she did as a child. As someone who deeply loves the faith and someone who felt (still feels to this day) overwhelmingly grateful for my reception into the Church I feel saddened by the above case. I know it might sound terrible but I believe they should have been asked to attend Church and been asked to take this seriously or otherwise her child(ren) could not be baptized. She has taken complete advantage of the system and the goodness of the priest to get what she wants. I believe that is wrong and priests must have the right to refuse in these cases...
Yes, it's really sad and happens very frequently. I'm happy that the children will have received this gift of baptism. It's the souls of the parents and godparents that are in danger for having promised in front of God that they would raise their children in the faith, but don't bring them to mass. It is then on the souls of the children if they get confirmed in the faith, but don't participate in Church life.
@@jennamayer Yes, you are right I'm glad that the children receive this beautiful sacrament but it is so sad that the children will never be brought up in the faith. As you say the parents will need to answer to the Lord one day. It just saddens me that people can just walk in, get what they want, walk away and nothing is said/done about it.
I disagree. I mean, I'm sure the priests could have refused, but that is not the fault of the soul waiting for baptism. Until the child/soul is baptized, they are not in the kingdom of God. The other kingdom is a scary place to be. Baptize the child. Don't not baptize because you/the priest is miffed that the parent is an idiot with no conscience. At the very least, the child now has a chance. Sure, work on the parents, encourage them, chastise them, invite them, remind them, all of it, but get the kid baptized. Yeah, the mother took advantage. Okay, it happens. But now, the child, in a twist on the word, can take advantage of the fact that s/he's baptized to use that grace to come home.
Some other things a priest - or any Catholic - should NEVER say: "Masturbation isn't a sin." "It's okay not to be Catholic." "The Catholic Talk Show isn't that great."
This is an excellent summary of the guidelines Catholic priests support regarding values. Sadly, there are others (non-Catholics) who invent their own guidelines only to become political, partisan Christian nationalists.
The priest did not charge for the sacraments 7:097:13 but directed the parishioner to go to the office.Even for the prayer of the dead,we have to go to the office for the donation which is saying indirectly to give the payment to the Secretary.
The problem is when you have both candidates who essentially support different versions of all the non-negotiables. If I'm not mistaken St John Paul II told us that we essentially should vote for the lesser of two evils if I'm not mistaken. There's a difference between voting for a candidate that wants more abortion or would make it easier to access abortion versus a candidate who wants some restrictions on it for example.
For lent I am cutting back on regular tv shows so I was listening to one of your old lent episodes. Could you give an update on Ftr. Nixon at St. Dominics? Thank you for another great show.
Hey! I never even thought of that. I love Hallow because I get so distracted - ugh! So I love that the rosary leader just keeps going and makes me "gently turn my mind back to my prayer" as St. Therese said.
I've had a bad experience on the level of what happened to Dellacrosse, up to and including almost being denied absolution, when I really wanted and needed it. I had to beg for it like a mistreated dog begging for food from a cruel master. Ugh. If it weren't for the Blessed Sacrament, I would have walked away from the Church a long time ago.
!!! I have one for you- I had my child out of wedlock, when I found out I was pregnant, I went to my parish for confession and guidance Spiritual guidance!!! The priest at the time…. ( eh, emmm ) I of course had to make an appointment and at the beginning of our time together, I told him I was pregnant and he follows with “ you do realize you have only tithed $$$$$” in the past year. Exactly what it is you want.” I just cried and left it took me years to go back to that Parrish- once he left ofcourse
Another money grubbing priest. I would not want to be a priest. Why ? God holds them to a much higher standard and many of them fail miserably in their interaction with people. They talk about how many they have baptized but how many have they lost. The United States twenty years ago had 23.5 percent of the population as Catholic in the UNited States. Now it is a twenty percent. The US Bishops have failed with in their evangelization of the people. I like what one parish's mission statement is. We want to make cultural Catholics into disciples of Christ. Well said.
😮😮😮 Horrible man. Horrible. I've got enough crap on my soul, but that guy is going to have to answer to the almighty for a serious lack of charity. I'm so glad that he didn't crush your spirit entirely. You did the right thing and then you came back. I'm still stunned. BUT. I'm going to say with ... I don't know, some commenter above ... we should all have a SPINE. If something is wrong, if we know it in our soul, we need to chase it down. It's right to respect authority, and it takes courage to ask someone else (because you might get the same answer), but I think we all need to stand up to people like that. The question is how, right? Hmm. I think we need a more clear line of, what's the word, appeal. We need to be able to appeal to someone higher in the hierarchy or at least another priest.
When our daughter’s marriage was annulled in the late 1980’s our administrative cost was $250. We also had to pay civil legal divorce fees. We did not consider either costs to be excessive nor exploitative. I have many negative issues with the Catholic Church, this is not one of them.
Hearing this talk, I'd love for you guys to do a react to the Korwan drama "The Fiery Priest" as there's some moments in it where I'd have to say the writer did a great job portraying certain aspects of faith and theology and what turmoil priests go through.
❤ I love being Catholic. But all the bad stuff is disheartening. I went to confession when I was 8 or 10 years old and this is back when they focused alot on avoiding HELL. So I was already afraid to go to confession. But my mom made me go. I'm 61 years old now but, I still remember the priest asked me in the dark confessional. Do I masturbate? And how often? All I remember was running out of there. My mom asked what happened and like everytime I said "nothing" which was my answer everytime. I was sexually abused as a child. It felt like it was happening in church. I was sure I was going to HELL if I died. The Church should be a safe place, not scary. I remember going back to church around 20 years old and I swear I felt that I was not supposed to be there. I felt the devil was there so I had to leave. Now I'm 61 and I go to church when I can and my reason for going is to be with Christ. I'm still being let down by the people. I'm in a new part of town and it's hard to find friendly people. But I am Catholic. Because it's Christ and the Holy Spirit, plus my mom's spirit keep me believing. Thanks if you read all of this. Stephen
That priest perverted the sacrament of Penance. When you do not even mention a sin and he brings it up something is wrong with him. This is especially true of sexual sins. There is a priest in Kansas who started talking to a woman about what she did sexually. This was outside of the confessional. He is now being investigated by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.... this is only one of many allegations against him. Some of them involved minors.
Hey Stephen, just a thought. If you feel like you're called to do this, go to the parish office and ask the secretary or the priest if they have an opportunity for you to get spiritual direction. If you trust this priest, or at least don't have a reason to distrust him, a short few weeks of spiritual direction with him or whoever the spiritual director is, may soothe your soul and mind. It may unite you more closely with Christ in His Church. Peace, Stephen. God bless.
32:53 I think this is interesting because my first mass as a convert was when our old priest retired and I’ll often say I’m “one of Fr. Silva’s boys” because in many ways he’s defined the priesthood for me. I’ve only gone to three masses that haven’t been served by him and come the end of lent he’ll be the priest who baptizes me. However it’s interesting to hear from people who are used to the way Fr. Javier did things. (Shout out to my St. Joseph The Worker fam if you recognize those names)
We hung out with a different priest at a party and the first thing he said to us when we told him who our parishes priest was, I know all his secrets, and he has a lot of secrets. Then told us he got fired. Maybe that's something a priest shouldn't say. It was really bizarre, maybe they have a rivalry going 😅 a one sided rivalry 😂
A significant breach of "boundaries" by a priest or bishop should be reported directly to local law enforcement. Relying only on diocesan representatives & church hierarchy is what led to the church crisis in the first place.
A pet peeve is making teens do tens of hours of service to be confirmed. Some just can't due to family obligations. Church offices seem to be run like the DMV... These are the rules and there are no exceptions. If you can ask a priest you can sometimes get around the ridiculous requirements. (Not all requirements are unreasonable.)
I disagree almost entirely. BUT, there are a few family obligations that MAY trump a community service requirement if the family obligation is a charitable act. So, what I'm about to say is no judgment on your family obligations, but an opinion about that excuse in general. So, generally speaking ... If a family is going to be part of a community, they need to contribute to the community, not just to the family. The Church, as it should, serves neighbors, not just family. This is all generally speaking, like I said, Circumstances vary. Your family obligations may be very much more important and time-sensitive than other people's. It happens.
Thank you for your show. Who is the woman or man in the painting behind Fr. Ryan? I have frozen the frame many times and can’t figure out what the person is doing, or who it is. Enjoy your show: learn and feel blessed.
Two of my son’s friends are not going to get their confirmation because their parents could not afford the payment for the confirmation classes ($100 per child- they are siblings) and retreat ($95 per child). The father is a disabled veteran and mother was unable to work due to having to work due to having to care for him. It was heartbreaking to see this. 😢
I understand what you mean and I agree. But I also wonder about the part of 'cast not pearls before swine.' If parents are not baptized, or are public sinners, wouldn't it be a kind of disregard for the sacrament of baptism to baptize their child? I mean, they would not teach their kid any Catholic doctrine. This is an authentic question, I really wonder about it.
I may be naive, but I think if someone asks to have their child baptised, there is some level of beliefs, and looking for the protection of God there. I hear your point, though. So, perhaps a " yes, and in preparation for this and so we all have the same understanding of baptism, and, hey, are you baptised" type of conversation. I do know personally of cases where a priest refused a baptism for seriously stupid reasons which could have been remedied if he wanted to. But, no. So now we have an entire extended family that cannot abide even a reference to church. Our faith is very dear to us, so when wounded, those cuts are so extremely deep and can take a lifetime to heal. I do truly commend priests like Fr. Rich who try so earnestly to represent honestly Christ and the church, all through the lens of Christ's love and mercy. It is not an easy tightrope to walk.But if we are all to one day be united in Christ, then we all have to try and walk this.
Yes, they do have to refuse to baptize a baby if the parents are not going to raise them in the Faith, lest the child grow to be an apostate which would be a worse state than being a pagan.. This is Church teaching. Also, I know a very good priest who did this. He is 86 years old and was formed properly in the Faith
@@michellemailloux2483 oh thats an interesting notion i hadn't considered. when my son was conceived i had a moment in my living room when the message "this child will bring you closer to my son" was seared into my mind. I was struggling with even going to mass regularly then. totally helped hearing that and now i'm in it to win. My kid is relying on it. i couldn't imagine wanting to baptize a child and not raise them in the faith.
@@michellemailloux2483 see, I assume that if they want the child baptised that they would raise it in the faith. Of course, you have a conversation to confirm this, There is a process, a relationship, on all that we do. You also don't just walk up to have your first communion either. There is instruction that goes along with this;do that we know that they understand the real presence of Christ. One is baptised into the family of Christ.
Thank you for this video. I’m a revert after being away from the church for about 15 yrs..started going back to mass and wanted to be back in full communion with the church especially now that it’s Lent. I have been calling my church for an appt for Confession but the secretary has constantly been saying the priest is either sick or his schedule is packed. This has been going on for 2 months. Unless I go to another parish over 1 1/2 a way, I can’t get someone available to save my life. Is this a typical problem other people are facing in the church?
All at different parishes at very different times: I know multiple people who couldn’t get their kids baptized. They were told they didn’t donate enough to the church. I had to pay $250 to get married. It was a “clean-up” fee.
We had a priest who was feeling lots of pressure to "tell people how to vote" and he resisted even bringing up politics. Finally, he got up at the pulpit and told everyone to form their conscience and remember that when they get into the voting booth it's just them and God at that point--no one can tell them how to vote.
I voted 1 time in my life after Bush and to this day I have yet to make it out safe healthy not financially stable much less alive.😢 Good grief. I hadn't learned who I truly was in God due to all the traumatic confusion until this show and the Catholic Church in Rome quietly gave me silence. OMG thank you 🙏😊
Many years ago I went to a priest at his office to request guidance for marriage to a Catholic man with the probability that I would go through catechism. Because I had been married previously he said why would you even want to get married and denied any suggestions or mercy to me. I was so crushed that it was 5 years before I sought catechism and we were not married in the church. I still sting from that denial.
Here is my grievances I have against the Catholic church. It is not about doctrine it is about how I have been treated from various priests, nuns, and parish administrators. Here's the list...... I registered as a parishoner over the phone with the church secretary. She asked my marital status and I said single. She asked if I had any children. I said no.. Her response well, not being married you should not have any children. What if I had been divorced and had children. How would that make me feel. As a 10 year old boy I confessed the sin of masturbation. The priest told me you are in the state of mortal sin. The way I understand mortal sin anyone below the age of 14 does not have the resonable maturity to commit a grave sin. By the way he was on the list of having sex with a minor. Back in those days he got away with it. I emailed the parish secretary a question about giving on line with credit cards. They never answered back. They used to accept credit cards online but now it only pay pal. Its whatever is easiest for them. I moved and registerd with another parish years later. I contributed money to the parish. In the six months I have been registered there I have never received a welcome letter. I was accused of not paying for a brisket meal the men's club offered after church. Another man spoke up and said that I had paid the $12. Ask me if the first man ever gave me an apology. The usher at the parish says hello to me and said isn;t it terrible how the Supreme Court limited abortion access in the Goodosn. I was shocked that someone in the sanctuary of the church would say such a thing. Talk about committing sacrilege.. I said it was the right decision. He walked away. A pirest told my sister that she should go to confession more often. She had not been to confession in three months. I informed her that he was notorious for being in gay bars and having male pornography on his home computer. (This was public knowledge as the FBI did a search of his home.) He is retired and living in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware,a gay conclave. I live in the Archdiocese of Galvestion-Houston. I asked that they start a Courage chapter. It took them nine months to get it together. They never advertise in the diocesan newspaper. I wrote again to the Archdiocesan office and they said how they notified every priest in the diocese. Well, in the three months we have had meeting the most we have ever had is four members. Talk about hiding your light under the bushel basket. I went to Dallas one weekend and they had a speaker at the Courage meeting with 75 people attending. They advertised. ( Courage is an organization for those with same sex attraction. It encourages prayer, friendship, and chaste living.) I read the Catholic Catechism of the Catholic Church. It says those with same sex attraction is a rather large minority. It states that people with same sex attraction should be treated with dignity and respect. Tell me how this is happening in Houston by the Catholic Church. It is estimated there are 1,7 million Catholics in the archdiocese. Even if only one percent (17,000) have same sex attraction that is a significant number. Let's be honest.... its more like 50 to a hundred thousand. Talk about a grave sin of ommisson. I could give you numerous other storied where I had priests come onto me sexually and I said no thanks. Sometimes I wonder why I remain Catholic. There a few reasons... I believe in that Christ founded the Catholic Church and we have the sacraments of penance and the Eucharist. Let me put it this way....... I do not expect much in the way of support from the church. This way I am not disappointed. I ask God to give us holy priests. So far my prayers have not been answered. A disappointed Catholic. Praise be Jesus Christ now and forever! Amen.
You need to question the doctrine of the Catholic Church that puts ceremony over people. How many Catholics are encouraged to work in a soup kitchen or feed the hungry by their church. No! Catholicism is all about being in a pew on Sundays, watching a priest do ceremony! Period! Sometimes I feel that the vestments of the priests are more important than the people of the church. Also, the Catholic Church is ignoring the gay members of their congregation by only tolerating them, not accepting them. Gay people have the same rights as heterosexual people to find a partner to live their lives with. Science testifies that gay people are born the way they are. It is not a choice for them. Yes, the choice is living morally with a partner, but gay people are excluded from doing this.
I remember In Catholic elementary school both priests and nuns teaching that any catholic can baptize. You must recite the correct words without ending an amen. Please correct if I’m wrong.
Fr Richard, How about “ that is not a sin. Not paying bills on time but a weakness!” I know it is not a mortal sin; however, I confess same to receive the Graces from the 🤗 Sacrament to overcome same. ❤🎉PTL snd “ Thank you for 28:17 the Gift of ur Priesthood🤗!” It is The Gift that keeps on giving unto death snd beyond 🎉 We are so very blest yo gave Priest 🎉🎉🎉 Rosemarie
Under the category of what a Catholic Priest should never say: A 4:06 priest should not assume or judge others. The priest who married my husband and I thought I was pregnant when we came to see him about the ceremony. Yes, I was a few pounds overweight but definitely not pregnant! He went on to tell my Dad "they (meaning us) were lucky that he even agreed to marry us", when my Dad invited him to the reception this priest replied that he "couldn't do that under the circumstances".😢 We have been married almost 44 years and gone through infertility, cancer, brain surgery, spine surgery and many troubled times. And no, we never were blessed with children even though we wanted a family. To this day what that priest said still hurts. 😢😢😢
Another example of a self-righteous assumption. I will pray for you so the pain goes away. It is hard to forget when it involves your wedding and your life. God knows how much you have gone through. May he bless you and your husband.
Hey y'all, for anybody who enjoys Catholic podcasts, we're a new podcast trying to get off the ground! If you like conversations relating to theology, philosophy, or prayer, give us a listen!
if it wasn't for you guys i wouldnt know about 'sockreligious' i got my daughter some saint socks and she loves them. i'll get a hoodie from u guys someday!! :D Fr Rich Pagano is one of my favourite priests i appreciate how he words things he's very very sincere faithful & knowledgeable. i would be comfortable asking him anything.
I was told to pay $500.00 for the sins of my family. This was by a text message pretending to be the bishop. When I checked where the money was going it was a odd club for sking. When I asked about that they said they had no control where the funds were going. I did not give the funds. I contacted the Bishop office next day and left message but no one would return my calls. I also asked help with demonic activity in home but was denied. Someone told the diocese not to help me. When I asked the priest for help and wanted him to fast and come to my home fir help he scolded me for not acting in a loving way. I was upset but having this type of activity in one's home causes you to be upset. I am not attending church now. Only attending mass spiritually online. I am sad and very unclear how to proceed. I have lost trust with priest and bishops.
Sorry that happened to you, but please don't lose trust in all priests and bishops. Unfortunately you may have run into a couple of bad ones, but you may want to seek going to another Parish.
When I got married, u couldn’t drink wine bc it wasn’t allowed, nor could u dance. This I think has made me very angry and my husband also feels let down , so he went and found another bt, that is going to have what he didn’t have at our wedding! I’m broken, heart broken that he has done this to me!
I'm a bit confused as to how our wedding was handled. We were never told there was a charge for the sacrament per say but we were told there was a fee and there was a payment plan. Then when we asked for a donation receipt for tax purposes we were told we could not have one as we got a service. So this sounds like wedding ceremony equals seevice, therefore there was a charge for it.
I was upset when my parish decided to no longer announce what priest is holding what mass on their calendar. Now I can no longer avoid the priest who uses the pulpit as a political cudgel. :(
my church growing up was so crowded they had two masses at once - one upstairs in the church, one next door in the school gymnasium - my parents would often peek in to see which priest was in each and choose the one who had the shortest homilies
Yeah, that's awful. I also have tough times enduring political speeches and, at other times, liturgical abuses by some priests during Mass. But what I learned from many church teachings is: when this happens, pray for the conversion of the priest. And when you go to communion, besides communing for your own conversion and for the consolation of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, as usual, also commune for his conversion. Remain steadfast in this purpose as it will make all the difference in his life - and in the lives of other priests, you can be sure.
I’d appreciate hearing your thoughts on speaking to the parish on propositions that promote moral decay in our communities, like a state proposition increasing the availability of abortion. I agree that promoting specific candidates is ill-advised, but this seems different yet likely to bring about division.
Honestly, for someone to hold it against the church for one clergy member saying something 30 years ago (to his uncle and not even himself) is stunning. That excuse gets old.
@catholictalkshow On the subject of denying absolution, I have a question. As Christ said what you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, doesn't follow that priests should almost always allow absolution? In my thinking, Christ is going to honor His statement, so if we even hope Christ will forgive this person, we have to. Or am I over thinking this?
As far as baptism: Canonically they have to be registered in a parish (not necessarily the parish where the baptism is taking place) and the only reason a priest can say no is that the family has no intention to raise the child Catholic or a third party wants to have the child baptized against the will of the legal guardians. Some priests like me do not accept stipends for weddings, baptisms, and funerals from practicing parishioners. Remember that there are sins that an average priest does not have authority to absolve without permission: three have to have to have papal permission for absolution ( physical attacks on the pope, breaking the seal of the confessional, and desecration of the Blessed Sacrament. Still canonically true) As a priest for 27 years I have never had to deny a baptism save when a third party did not have the permission of the primary guardians) and only once for needing the pope's permission.
I was listening to a homily and a priest repeated what someone said to him in confession. He did not use the person's name. He was trying to use it as a teaching moment. I thought that in most cases priests were not allowed to repeat any sins that they hear in confession.
Where does the responsibility lie within the diocese, and leaving priest for a priest change, when the diocese and among priests there was a belief/knowledge that the incoming priest has issues, but the staff at the church were not warned. We thought we were to have a "younger" vibrant priest and ended up with a grenade with pin pulled. I have come to not be angry at the diocese, and I do understand the idea of personal privacy as the reason we were not informed. But this resulted in one staff member on an extended leave, and 3 leaving - while the new priest was present , or after the arrival of a new administrator.
My pastor yelled at me and told me I shouldn’t go to Mass twice a day and many more outrageous and irrational things. I Told the bishop and he hasn’t done anything !!! This pastor is mean and egotistical It’s very upsetting and I feel it’s wrong. What else can I do ?
I have to disagree with one thing… I had a priest deny me absolution once, and it was an eye opening experience that changed my course. As much as it hurt me, it’s what I needed to hear to acknowledge the depth of my sin, I wouldn’t have changed if he hadn’t held me accountable. I am thankful now for his harshness because it was truthful and loving, it’s not loving to affirm someone that is doing wrong. He honestly led me closer to Jesus by doing this.
The mention of voting for candidates who support the issues we Catholics support is very difficult in the U.S. today. I am Pro Life, but a politician or party who only supports life prior to being born will NEVER get my vote. I see too many children suffering due to illness, abuse, hunger, etc in one of the richest country in the world. It is a very sad, difficult decision to make. I pray 🙏 and do my best to listen to God. No party and few politicians will check all the boxes but I Will Vote my conscience.
Murder (abortion) is one of the commandments. Giving to the poor is not. There are gradations of sin. Supporting the party of abortion is high on the sin scale.
Ive experienced some priests who are truly mericiful, humble, wise, and vicars of Christ, but still regular guys...and ive experienced absolute soul crusher priests. These soul crushers dont necessarily have to be predators, but so awful they really make you consider the religion, and sadly some faith in God.
I appreciate that it is a donation but I would like to know what is the norm, or what does it cost or a guideline on what to donate. If I can donate the full cost I would if I could give more I would it is just for me such an unknown and I'm sure I'm not the only one. It would be nice if there was a guideline.
O my gosh, yes! I would probably get sarcastic and reply, " I can't remember that far back." Simply because this, to me , sounds like a priest wanting to find someone to condemn, and I will not play that game. I have been through too much over too many years with the church to let someone push me out now.
Prior to Vatican II, one of the precepts of the church used to be tithing. Willfully not following the precepts of the church is a mortal sin. I’m not trying to argue about the decision of the priest, but thought this could use some context. Perhaps the priest recognized and urged him to confess this sin, and withheld absolution before doing so?
Is there a cannon law that says for funerals, weddings sacramentals, you may charge a certain amount? Our pastor charges $400 for a funeral.we are a rural area and have a congregation of under a 100 parishioners who live on social security pensions or are farming families..
So is it that they want the conversion of souls? Or is it that we only want particular souls? I really want to join the church. But I don't wanna be nickeled and dimmed. To have Sacramento or to prove that I'm worthy of his heavenly Kingdom.
The good priest want to walk with you on our road to Christ. But as they said, priests are people, too. And let's face it, some have more people skills than others. I was away from the church for 30 years based on what a priest said. Then we got a new bishop who did a series of interviews on who we were to be as church. That gave me the courage to come back. I would suggest spend time with the catechism, some of the lives of the saints, and have a good sense of who you are in Christ and of course, try to find a priest that you connect with. There are incredibly good priest that I love, but I won't personally talk to just because they misread me. That's a personality thing, but it can be important. I hope this isn't too long winded. May the grace of God be with you.
Try to find a local monastery. The Brothers and Father's there have way more time to help you than a local parish priest. Went to one and asked a young priest to go over the "examination of conscience" with us, and he willingly did. Half way through, he admitted it was helping him as much as it was helping us!
From Canon Law:§2. As a rule an adult is to be baptized in his or her parish church and an infant in the parish church of the parents unless a just cause suggests otherwise. Am I being a hinderance to Baptism if I ask that a parent (or both) register at our parish before a Baptism? And that I suggest that they come to Mass regularly and support the Church? I bet there are some people with whom I spoke said that I wouldn't schedule a Baptism until they gave money. And that isn't true, I believe in encouraging participation at a parish church.
When trying to get our firstborn baptized, the parish required, we pay for classes. Then they had to "approve" the God parents. Then they had to have proof that we were "active" members (found out later that meant consistent tithe checks) At about the 4 year mark, the baptism still hadn't been approved and a priest came in said there was a new parish in town and of you lived in this area, you had to move to that parish. The next week we made an appointment with that parish priest and asked for a baptism. He was kind and said "parish staff is thin, and we're trying to get ready for Easter, so come back after Easter and we'll get it scheduled" made an appointment right then and there for after Easter. Show up on time ready to get this done, & he said "CHILDREN OF THAT AGE NEED TO BE BAPTIZED AT EASTER! WHY DID YOU WAIT UNTIL NOW!!!! You'll have to wait until next Easter for the baptism. Please leave, I'm busy" Yeah like that. About a year later, dad asked "why isn't this baby baptized?" Explained entire situation. He said "let me make some phone calls" Called me back & says"get to MY parish right now, go see Sister ____ " walked in, she was waiting, with the paperwork filled out for a baptism in 4 days. Signed the papers and it was that easy.
I witnessed a priest anoint a dying women. She looked at him so sincerely and said, "Father, I haven't been to church in a very long time." The priest replied, "Well, sometimes we go to church and sometimes the church comes to us." That woman received her last sacrament full of faith and trust in God"s love and mercy. The way she folder her hands and closed her eyes...she looked just like a little girl receiving her First Communion with full knowledge of what the effect the sacrament has. What a beautiful, powerful thing to see.
Amazing... What a joy it brings to the heart to see such a thing.
Thank you for sharing... I just felt that joy only of imagining.
That is so wrong in many ways. of that priest saying that ti her. It was good she confessed that and sounded as she was sorry for that. But if she was physically and mentally able to confess the rest of her sins before receiving viaticum ( last holy communion). . . We have to confess at last rites if we can speak ti priest audibly and soundly to die in state of grace if we are in full knowledge of being in mortal sin especially so. Plus if anyone else in room that was Catholic that’s like telling them you don’t have to go to Mass every Sunday. That’s a mortal sin for him ti tell her that.
@@michelletavakoli As "last sacrament" I understood "confession".
If she did not confess, then it's really sad.
Beautiful
Some of our churches in NY ask for a fee for weddings …
Ike 750-1000.
My third daughter decided that she is getting married in the church where her former HS chaplain is pastor and not in her parish church. She loves the church because it’s a traditional Brooklyn church.She asked him what the fee was . He responded “for you a tray of your delicious cookies”. Heck , not a bad deal. Lol
But seriously, sometimes when these couples ask for the sacrament and they are told that there is a fee, they back away. Let’s face it , most are not churched . As per the annulments… ppl do not understand that the church is not asking to fill her pockets but rather must pay for paper work, and any other background measures that must be used. Also, the deacon who sometimes does the initial interview does not get paid , but rather does it as a service. So when he asks for the 1000 or whatever dollars , he has to explain that it goes for the documentation , papers and any other fees that are encountered when the canon lawyer needs to do. On the qt I use to be my husband’s homing pigeon to the tribunal to deliver the papers … lol
I was born in the 60’s. My parents (both Catholic) got divorced soon after my birth. My mother wanted to send me and my sisters to Catechism, the priest told my mother we weren’t allowed, since my parents were divorced. Fast forward, as an adult with 2 kids of my own, I attended RCIA, got confirmed, and got both my children baptized and confirmed. Even though all those years ago that priest told my mom he wouldn’t allow us to attend catechism, she MADE all of us still attend Mass. God bless my mother (may she rest in peace).
Priest was sadly mistaken about the rules of attendance to Catechism I believe.
I was raised in the 70's, and the happy clappy days. I drifted away, but my mother instilled a love of Mary. That love brought me back to the church who holds our Immaculate Mother in the highest office a mortal can occupy, and she delivered me to her son. God is in our hearts waiting for us to call, regardless of our upbringing.
Did your mother ever get to receive Holy Eucharist after you were confirmed??
RIP Mom ❤
In the electrician trade we have a phrase we use for inspectors that inspect beyond our code book standards; we call them “shirt pocket inspectors”. They inspect for what they want to see instead of what the code book dictates. It is good to be principled and have a full development of understanding of what we know, but we cannot hold others accountable to more than what Jesus dictates. Their development under Christ may not be the same as our “shirt pocket” codes, but that is a personal thing between them and Jesus. The Church is there to get us to Jesus. Using it to deny our approach… …that priest was faulty. I am sure he will hold sorrow once he comes to understand what he did to your mother and you kids. Surely your wonder to Christ is something you can put in your “shirt pocket”… …and your kids, they are fortunate kids that you held fast to the truth, just like your Mom taught you to!
These guys are so good. Fun to listen to while conveying church teaching in a conversational way. They are joyful Catholics and it comes across and it’s contagious. 😊
I was so lucky to attend the church where Fr Pagano preached here in Florida and what a great human being he is! God bless him
I dearly love The Catholic talk show and each one of you. I have learned a lot listening to TCTS. You each contribute so much.
I was married in the Catholic Church and we made a donation to the priest/church. Happy to give. ❤🙏🏻
“Sure, stop by the parish office. Someone’s always available!”
Ah ha. Hahahaha xD
Yes, we do need more priests. We need to raise more holy and self sacrificing sons. If we don't have enough man power in the parish office, that's on us, the parishioners.
@@carolyndutton2851 It's less the fact that a priest is available and more that the office hours are sometimes impossible for working parishioners to get there. Example: I love my parish, but the hours are from 9-4, and closed at lunch. I work from 8-5. When can I stop by?
@@DesertRat2001 RIGHT? I had a priest friend of mine complain that daily masses were always only attended by old people. Um, yeah. If you want the rest of us to attend, have one at 6:30 or 7. We had a 6:30 mass in a city parish that people going to work attended. It was awesome, amazing, and sadly an exception to the rule that priests want to treat their mass-saying like a job like all others. They're kinda stingy with it sometimes. For instance, now I live in the boonies, and there is no daily mass on Mondays because ALL the priests in the diocese have Monday off. Monday, by the way, is the only day I and many in the town could go to daily mass - many of us have Monday off. It's so weird.
Years ago my daughter had a baby out of wedlock, she was turned down by more than 1 priest turned her down. She did finally find a priest who did baptize her.
Pope Francis when he was a cardinal in Argentina would chastise priests who refused to baptize these children. When a priest refuses to baptize a child its like saying you should have had an abortion and then we would not be confronted with problems such as these. Jesus will ask those priests who made you judge and jury. An unmarried person who did not care about the faith would not bother to even have their child baptized. If I were a priest I would ask the person do you plan to raise the child in the faith and if the answer is yes, I would baptize them.
I'm so sorry to hear this. 😢 God bless all 3 of you and the priest who did the work of our Lord. 🙏
As soon as one priest turned me down, I'd have baptized her myself in an emergency baptism, and then kept looking. What in the WORLD? Talk about an apparent lack of charity, a lack of mercy, for an innocent soul!. You said more than one said not, though, so in all charity to the priests, I will ask my priest what the reason may have been for a priest to have done that. Too scary, imo, to have not done it, though, for the sake of the soul of the child.
I agree with you guys on the Baptism…that is a perfect opportunity to evangelize.
When my first baby was born 40 yrs ago I contacted the Catholic Church in the new town I moved to to have my baby baptized. He told me it would cost $400-500 to do a records search for all my Catholic records. As a young struggling couple we were not in a position to pay that kind of money. I was only 20 and had been a lifelong Catholic but hadn’t attended mass since I was 18. I didn’t return to the church for over 20 years as I was so affected by what I was told ! I knew it didn’t sound right.
I am glad you came back... some priests are just money grubbers. They have no idea what the average person has to go through.
If something ever "doesn't sound right" again, don't let it go. Have a SPINE!! It WILL be worth it.
@@CherubChick1221 YES, CherubChick! We ALL need encouragement. Soemtimes we feel ike the Church is a solid black line with a white collar. Priests are humans, and sssoooo many of them are corrupted, in little and big ways, like all of us. We have to chase it down; we have to have the courage to do that.
When mom died, the parish priest said he would NOT accept a donation for the funeral because we did so much for the parish all the time. It was a gift from him.
The day of the funeral, get a call from the mortuary "we're here at the church, they won't let us set up until we pay a $50 stipend" was it Linda or Fran? Yeah, pay it, be there soon. It's not always the priest that "charges" the fee.
Sometimes it is the funeral home. This was my experience. Though, we were more than happy to give. The church was wonderful to us.
It's the funeral home.
😮
My priest encourages us to vote. He also says we should seek God's guidance as we make our decisions in the voting booth.
God Bless you Ryan, Ryan, and Father Rich.”Yous guys” have been an encouragement to me as I make my journey across the Rubicon.
When my mom passed 12 years ago this Feb 27 , I asked a Church in Miami to do her mass, and they said it would be 500 for the mass. I obviously was sad about my moms passing and didn't want to argue with them but I was very disappointed , especially because my son's comunion was in that church and I helped with CCD classes. Went to Good Sheppard and the priest was wonderful. He didnt know me but talked beautiful about a woman he never knew. He explained about the 3 angels that comes thru our life and till this day I have people saying how peaceful they all left after that mass.
I didn't have much by I gave a donation that covered the piano and a lovely lady singing 2 songs I requested for my mom.
One of the songs it's very old and most people don't sing it and he made sure that "Madre, Mirame" was sang that morning.
God Bless him and all the great priests that do care 🙏 for us.
The church I grew up in and the church my dad grew up has written in the funeral planning pamphlet.. "being a parishioner of ______ parish you agree to the guidelines put in this pamphlet. If you don't like it find another parish."
We found this planning my mother's funeral this past October. My mom worked as DRE for the parish for 20 something years. My mom became catholic in that parish, my dad was baptized in that parish as well as all of us children. We wanted to plan my mom's funeral like we did so many other family members in the parish but the new priest said they are not allowing parishioners to plan funerals. Or minimally plan the funeral. We had a cousin who was the celebrant priest of the funeral mass. My aunt is a nun. We knew the Canon laws regarding funeral masses but the guidelines were a lot more strict. Very sad they caused more pain in a already painful time.
Let's tell it like it is, the priest is a narcissist. It's all about him and what's easiest for him!
I LOVE our priest Msg Douglas Raun at St.Thomas Aquinas in Rio Rancho he doesn't require parents to be registered to baptize and no one has to pay for any Sacraments. He also has confession 2 times a day 6 days a week.
😯 Jealous!!!
It's refreshing to hear this. I was charged 50k naira ($35) %. Then I had to pay the choir same amount for them to sing at the wedding. I was mad because it felt like we were mandated to pay for sacrament. It would have been okay if it came from a request, gift, offertory approach like you said. It was however mandatory much that without the payment, wedding mass wasn't going to be celebrated and choir weren't going to sing at mass. Then I wondered, why didn't the lector, alter servers and church wardens charge? We need to constantly reorient ourselves and nd how we live out our liturgical mission. New subscriber all the way from Nigeria. I love your page.
Thank you for another great episode! If I may put in my 2 cents on a particular matter please everyone feel free to comment if you either agree/disagree with what I'm going to say. Just some background I am a convert and was baptized in 2020 and I dearly love the Catholic faith. I know this lady (through business) who is a cradle Catholic but stopped attending as a teenager, married a non-Catholic not even in the Catholic Church and the Church has NO bearing in her life. She had her first baby and got them baptized in 2021 but never attended before or after the baptism. She then had a second child a couple of years later and got them baptized but again same circumstances. When I asked why she baptized her children she said she wanted them to enter Catholic school as she did as a child.
As someone who deeply loves the faith and someone who felt (still feels to this day) overwhelmingly grateful for my reception into the Church I feel saddened by the above case. I know it might sound terrible but I believe they should have been asked to attend Church and been asked to take this seriously or otherwise her child(ren) could not be baptized. She has taken complete advantage of the system and the goodness of the priest to get what she wants. I believe that is wrong and priests must have the right to refuse in these cases...
Yes, it's really sad and happens very frequently. I'm happy that the children will have received this gift of baptism. It's the souls of the parents and godparents that are in danger for having promised in front of God that they would raise their children in the faith, but don't bring them to mass. It is then on the souls of the children if they get confirmed in the faith, but don't participate in Church life.
@@jennamayer Yes, you are right I'm glad that the children receive this beautiful sacrament but it is so sad that the children will never be brought up in the faith. As you say the parents will need to answer to the Lord one day. It just saddens me that people can just walk in, get what they want, walk away and nothing is said/done about it.
Agree. It’s not fair to the child.
I disagree. I mean, I'm sure the priests could have refused, but that is not the fault of the soul waiting for baptism. Until the child/soul is baptized, they are not in the kingdom of God. The other kingdom is a scary place to be. Baptize the child. Don't not baptize because you/the priest is miffed that the parent is an idiot with no conscience. At the very least, the child now has a chance. Sure, work on the parents, encourage them, chastise them, invite them, remind them, all of it, but get the kid baptized.
Yeah, the mother took advantage. Okay, it happens. But now, the child, in a twist on the word, can take advantage of the fact that s/he's baptized to use that grace to come home.
Some other things a priest - or any Catholic - should NEVER say:
"Masturbation isn't a sin."
"It's okay not to be Catholic."
"The Catholic Talk Show isn't that great."
This is an excellent summary of the guidelines Catholic priests support regarding values. Sadly, there are others (non-Catholics) who invent their own guidelines only to become political, partisan Christian nationalists.
I just watched my first video of TCTS today and I've just realized Fr. Pagano is in my diocese 😄
Could you please include timestamps in the description to make it easier to find where you talk about each point?
My Bishop graciously did away with fees for annulment to remove any financial impediment. Financing now comes from Bishop's Appeal for Charities.
The priest did not charge for the sacraments 7:09 7:13 but directed the parishioner to go to the office.Even for the prayer of the dead,we have to go to the office for the donation which is saying indirectly to give the payment to the Secretary.
Exactly!
Hi Fr. Rich, Ryan D, Ryan S, thank you for this topic...
Hey guys, is there an address to mail a check of support to instead of Patreon? Excellent episode. Is it a repeat?
You could probably mail it to the Church with their names on it. ST John Paul ll Nocatee Florida.
when a person is struggling with their spiritual or personal lol life that's when they need their priest the most
The problem is when you have both candidates who essentially support different versions of all the non-negotiables. If I'm not mistaken St John Paul II told us that we essentially should vote for the lesser of two evils if I'm not mistaken.
There's a difference between voting for a candidate that wants more abortion or would make it easier to access abortion versus a candidate who wants some restrictions on it for example.
For lent I am cutting back on regular tv shows so I was listening to one of your old lent episodes. Could you give an update on Ftr. Nixon at St. Dominics? Thank you for another great show.
Really enjoyed this. Thank you!
I love hallow reason I like this app I do not know the rosary prayer because I have a learning disability learning disability.
Hey! I never even thought of that.
I love Hallow because I get so distracted - ugh! So I love that the rosary leader just keeps going and makes me "gently turn my mind back to my prayer" as St. Therese said.
I've had a bad experience on the level of what happened to Dellacrosse, up to and including almost being denied absolution, when I really wanted and needed it. I had to beg for it like a mistreated dog begging for food from a cruel master. Ugh. If it weren't for the Blessed Sacrament, I would have walked away from the Church a long time ago.
Love the bleeps at the intro , foul mouth Pagano indeed 😂😂
!!! I have one for you-
I had my child out of wedlock, when I found out I was pregnant, I went to my parish for confession and guidance
Spiritual guidance!!! The priest at the time…. ( eh, emmm )
I of course had to make an appointment and at the beginning of our time together, I told him I was pregnant and he follows with
“ you do realize you have only tithed $$$$$” in the past year.
Exactly what it is you want.”
I just cried and left it took me years to go back to that Parrish- once he left ofcourse
That's awful! I'm sorry that happened to you. Some priests have zero 'bedside manner' skills.
Another money grubbing priest. I would not want to be a priest. Why ? God holds them to a much higher standard and many of them fail miserably in their interaction with people. They talk about how many they have baptized but how many have they lost. The United States twenty years ago had 23.5 percent of the population as Catholic in the UNited States. Now it is a twenty percent. The US Bishops have failed with in their evangelization of the people.
I like what one parish's mission statement is. We want to make cultural Catholics into disciples of Christ. Well said.
😮😮😮 Horrible man. Horrible. I've got enough crap on my soul, but that guy is going to have to answer to the almighty for a serious lack of charity. I'm so glad that he didn't crush your spirit entirely. You did the right thing and then you came back. I'm still stunned.
BUT. I'm going to say with ... I don't know, some commenter above ... we should all have a SPINE. If something is wrong, if we know it in our soul, we need to chase it down. It's right to respect authority, and it takes courage to ask someone else (because you might get the same answer), but I think we all need to stand up to people like that. The question is how, right? Hmm. I think we need a more clear line of, what's the word, appeal. We need to be able to appeal to someone higher in the hierarchy or at least another priest.
When our daughter’s marriage was annulled in the late 1980’s our administrative cost was $250. We also had to pay civil legal divorce fees. We did not consider either costs to be excessive nor exploitative. I have many negative issues with the Catholic Church, this is not one of them.
I was gone from the church 13 years can I return to the church I'm so grateful I came back I've been back 15 months .
Hearing this talk, I'd love for you guys to do a react to the Korwan drama "The Fiery Priest" as there's some moments in it where I'd have to say the writer did a great job portraying certain aspects of faith and theology and what turmoil priests go through.
Father Pagano, we miss you!
what happened to Father Pagano? I don't always watch the show and was curious.
❤ I love being Catholic. But all the bad stuff is disheartening. I went to confession when I was 8 or 10 years old and this is back when they focused alot on avoiding HELL. So I was already afraid to go to confession. But my mom made me go. I'm 61 years old now but, I still remember the priest asked me in the dark confessional. Do I masturbate? And how often? All I remember was running out of there. My mom asked what happened and like everytime I said "nothing" which was my answer everytime. I was sexually abused as a child. It felt like it was happening in church. I was sure I was going to HELL if I died. The Church should be a safe place, not scary. I remember going back to church around 20 years old and I swear I felt that I was not supposed to be there. I felt the devil was there so I had to leave. Now I'm 61 and I go to church when I can and my reason for going is to be with Christ. I'm still being let down by the people. I'm in a new part of town and it's hard to find friendly people. But I am Catholic. Because it's Christ and the Holy Spirit, plus my mom's spirit keep me believing. Thanks if you read all of this. Stephen
That priest perverted the sacrament of Penance. When you do not even mention a sin and he brings it up something is wrong with him. This is especially true of sexual sins. There is a priest in Kansas who started talking to a woman about what she did sexually. This was outside of the confessional. He is now being investigated by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.... this is only one of many allegations against him. Some of them involved minors.
Hey Stephen, just a thought. If you feel like you're called to do this, go to the parish office and ask the secretary or the priest if they have an opportunity for you to get spiritual direction. If you trust this priest, or at least don't have a reason to distrust him, a short few weeks of spiritual direction with him or whoever the spiritual director is, may soothe your soul and mind. It may unite you more closely with Christ in His Church. Peace, Stephen. God bless.
32:53 I think this is interesting because my first mass as a convert was when our old priest retired and I’ll often say I’m “one of Fr. Silva’s boys” because in many ways he’s defined the priesthood for me. I’ve only gone to three masses that haven’t been served by him and come the end of lent he’ll be the priest who baptizes me. However it’s interesting to hear from people who are used to the way Fr. Javier did things. (Shout out to my St. Joseph The Worker fam if you recognize those names)
We hung out with a different priest at a party and the first thing he said to us when we told him who our parishes priest was, I know all his secrets, and he has a lot of secrets. Then told us he got fired. Maybe that's something a priest shouldn't say. It was really bizarre, maybe they have a rivalry going 😅 a one sided rivalry 😂
A significant breach of "boundaries" by a priest or bishop should be reported directly to local law enforcement.
Relying only on diocesan representatives & church hierarchy is what led to the church crisis in the first place.
Love you guys!
kinda bizzare that of all those bobble dolls you've got on the desk, the Jesus one seems to be the only one functioning!
🤣
A pet peeve is making teens do tens of hours of service to be confirmed. Some just can't due to family obligations.
Church offices seem to be run like the DMV... These are the rules and there are no exceptions. If you can ask a priest you can sometimes get around the ridiculous requirements. (Not all requirements are unreasonable.)
I disagree almost entirely. BUT, there are a few family obligations that MAY trump a community service requirement if the family obligation is a charitable act. So, what I'm about to say is no judgment on your family obligations, but an opinion about that excuse in general. So, generally speaking ...
If a family is going to be part of a community, they need to contribute to the community, not just to the family. The Church, as it should, serves neighbors, not just family.
This is all generally speaking, like I said, Circumstances vary. Your family obligations may be very much more important and time-sensitive than other people's. It happens.
Thank you for your show.
Who is the woman or man in the painting behind Fr. Ryan? I have frozen the frame many times and can’t figure out what the person is doing, or who it is.
Enjoy your show: learn and feel blessed.
Two of my son’s friends are not going to get their confirmation because their parents could not afford the payment for the confirmation classes ($100 per child- they are siblings) and retreat ($95 per child). The father is a disabled veteran and mother was unable to work due to having to work due to having to care for him. It was heartbreaking to see this. 😢
I totally agree you cannot refuse to baptize a baby. That would be just this side of unforgivable. That baby has done nothing wrong.
I understand what you mean and I agree. But I also wonder about the part of 'cast not pearls before swine.' If parents are not baptized, or are public sinners, wouldn't it be a kind of disregard for the sacrament of baptism to baptize their child? I mean, they would not teach their kid any Catholic doctrine.
This is an authentic question, I really wonder about it.
I may be naive, but I think if someone asks to have their child baptised, there is some level of beliefs, and looking for the protection of God there. I hear your point, though. So, perhaps a " yes, and in preparation for this and so we all have the same understanding of baptism, and, hey, are you baptised" type of conversation. I do know personally of cases where a priest refused a baptism for seriously stupid reasons which could have been remedied if he wanted to. But, no. So now we have an entire extended family that cannot abide even a reference to church. Our faith is very dear to us, so when wounded, those cuts are so extremely deep and can take a lifetime to heal. I do truly commend priests like Fr. Rich who try so earnestly to represent honestly Christ and the church, all through the lens of Christ's love and mercy. It is not an easy tightrope to walk.But if we are all to one day be united in Christ, then we all have to try and walk this.
Yes, they do have to refuse to baptize a baby if the parents are not going to raise them in the Faith, lest the child grow to be an apostate which would be a worse state than being a pagan.. This is Church teaching.
Also, I know a very good priest who did this. He is 86 years old and was formed properly in the Faith
@@michellemailloux2483 oh thats an interesting notion i hadn't considered. when my son was conceived i had a moment in my living room when the message "this child will bring you closer to my son" was seared into my mind. I was struggling with even going to mass regularly then. totally helped hearing that and now i'm in it to win. My kid is relying on it. i couldn't imagine wanting to baptize a child and not raise them in the faith.
@@michellemailloux2483 see, I assume that if they want the child baptised that they would raise it in the faith. Of course, you have a conversation to confirm this, There is a process, a relationship, on all that we do. You also don't just walk up to have your first communion either. There is instruction that goes along with this;do that we know that they understand the real presence of Christ. One is baptised into the family of Christ.
Thank you for this video. I’m a revert after being away from the church for about 15 yrs..started going back to mass and wanted to be back in full communion with the church especially now that it’s Lent. I have been calling my church for an appt for Confession but the secretary has constantly been saying the priest is either sick or his schedule is packed. This has been going on for 2 months. Unless I go to another parish over 1 1/2 a way, I can’t get someone available to save my life. Is this a typical problem other people are facing in the church?
Shout out to Mitch Hedberg. LOL😊
All at different parishes at very different times: I know multiple people who couldn’t get their kids baptized. They were told they didn’t donate enough to the church. I had to pay $250 to get married. It was a “clean-up” fee.
😱
What the other commenter said. That's literally my facial expression.
My sister was trying to get an annulment. The priest told her that a larger donation would speed it up.
We had a priest who was feeling lots of pressure to "tell people how to vote" and he resisted even bringing up politics. Finally, he got up at the pulpit and told everyone to form their conscience and remember that when they get into the voting booth it's just them and God at that point--no one can tell them how to vote.
I voted 1 time in my life after Bush and to this day I have yet to make it out safe healthy not financially stable much less alive.😢 Good grief. I hadn't learned who I truly was in God due to all the traumatic confusion until this show and the Catholic Church in Rome quietly gave me silence. OMG thank you 🙏😊
We definitely made a donation for all sacraments for our children and our wedding. Its a tradition as we see it not a cost.
Fun fact: Tom Araya, the singer and bassist for SLAYER is a devout Catholic.
RIP ROBBIN WILLIAMS 🕊
Many years ago I went to a priest at his office to request guidance for marriage to a Catholic man with the probability that I would go through catechism. Because I had been married previously he said why would you even want to get married and denied any suggestions or mercy to me. I was so crushed that it was 5 years before I sought catechism and we were not married in the church. I still sting from that denial.
Here is my grievances I have against the Catholic church. It is not about doctrine it is about how I have been treated from various priests, nuns, and parish administrators. Here's the list......
I registered as a parishoner over the phone with the church secretary. She asked my marital status and I said single. She asked if I had any children. I said no.. Her response well, not being married you should not have any children. What if I had been divorced and had children. How would that make me feel.
As a 10 year old boy I confessed the sin of masturbation. The priest told me you are in the state of mortal sin. The way I understand mortal sin anyone below the age of 14 does not have the resonable maturity to commit a grave sin. By the way he was on the list of having sex with a minor. Back in those days he got away with it.
I emailed the parish secretary a question about giving on line with credit cards. They never answered back. They used to accept credit cards online but now it only pay pal. Its whatever is easiest for them.
I moved and registerd with another parish years later. I contributed money to the parish. In the six months I have been registered there I have never received a welcome letter.
I was accused of not paying for a brisket meal the men's club offered after church. Another man spoke up and said that I had paid the $12. Ask me if the first man ever gave me an apology.
The usher at the parish says hello to me and said isn;t it terrible how the Supreme Court limited abortion access in the Goodosn. I was shocked that someone in the sanctuary of the church would say such a thing. Talk about committing sacrilege.. I said it was the right decision. He walked away.
A pirest told my sister that she should go to confession more often. She had not been to confession in three months. I informed her that he was notorious for being in gay bars and having male pornography on his home computer. (This was public knowledge as the FBI did a search of his home.) He is retired and living in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware,a gay conclave.
I live in the Archdiocese of Galvestion-Houston. I asked that they start a Courage chapter. It took them nine months to get it together. They never advertise in the diocesan newspaper. I wrote again to the Archdiocesan office and they said how they notified every priest in the diocese. Well, in the three months we have had meeting the most we have ever had is four members. Talk about hiding your light under the bushel basket. I went to Dallas one weekend and they had a speaker at the Courage meeting with 75 people attending. They advertised. ( Courage is an organization for those with same sex attraction. It encourages prayer, friendship, and chaste living.) I read the Catholic Catechism of the Catholic Church. It says those with same sex attraction is a rather large minority. It states that people with same sex attraction should be treated with dignity and respect. Tell me how this is happening in Houston by the Catholic Church. It is estimated there are 1,7 million Catholics in the archdiocese. Even if only one percent (17,000) have same sex attraction that is a significant number. Let's be honest.... its more like 50 to a hundred thousand. Talk about a grave sin of ommisson.
I could give you numerous other storied where I had priests come onto me sexually and I said no thanks. Sometimes I wonder why I remain Catholic. There a few reasons... I believe in that Christ founded the Catholic Church and we have the sacraments of penance and the Eucharist.
Let me put it this way....... I do not expect much in the way of support from the church. This way I am not disappointed.
I ask God to give us holy priests. So far my prayers have not been answered. A disappointed Catholic. Praise be Jesus Christ now and forever! Amen.
You need to question the doctrine of the Catholic Church that puts ceremony over people.
How many Catholics are encouraged to work in a soup kitchen or feed the hungry by their church.
No! Catholicism is all about being in a pew on Sundays, watching a priest do ceremony! Period!
Sometimes I feel that the vestments of the priests are more important than the people of the church.
Also, the Catholic Church is ignoring the gay members of their congregation by only tolerating them, not accepting them.
Gay people have the same rights as heterosexual people to find a partner to live their lives with.
Science testifies that gay people are born the way they are. It is not a choice for them.
Yes, the choice is living morally with a partner, but gay people are excluded from doing this.
I remember In Catholic elementary school both priests and nuns teaching that any catholic can baptize. You must recite the correct words without ending an amen. Please correct if I’m wrong.
That’s correct. They taught you right.
Fr Richard, How about “ that is not a sin. Not paying bills on time but a weakness!” I know it is not a mortal sin; however, I confess same to receive the Graces from the 🤗 Sacrament to overcome same. ❤🎉PTL snd “ Thank you for 28:17 the Gift of ur Priesthood🤗!” It is The Gift that keeps on giving unto death snd beyond 🎉 We are so very blest yo gave Priest 🎉🎉🎉 Rosemarie
I could add some things to this list that I've experienced first hand.
Same!
Same.
Same
Under the category of what a Catholic Priest should never say: A 4:06 priest should not assume or judge others. The priest who married my husband and I thought I was pregnant when we came to see him about the ceremony.
Yes, I was a few pounds overweight but definitely not pregnant! He went on to tell my Dad "they (meaning us) were lucky that he even agreed to marry us", when my Dad invited him to the reception this priest replied that he "couldn't do that under the circumstances".😢
We have been married almost 44 years and gone through infertility, cancer, brain surgery, spine surgery and many troubled times. And no, we never were blessed with children even though we wanted a family.
To this day what that priest said still hurts. 😢😢😢
May the Lord reward your suffering in heaven.
Another example of a self-righteous assumption. I will pray for you so the pain goes away. It is hard to forget when it involves your wedding and your life. God knows how much you have gone through. May he bless you and your husband.
I just finished Bible in the year with father Mike.
Hey y'all, for anybody who enjoys Catholic podcasts, we're a new podcast trying to get off the ground! If you like conversations relating to theology, philosophy, or prayer, give us a listen!
if it wasn't for you guys i wouldnt know about 'sockreligious' i got my daughter some saint socks and she loves them. i'll get a hoodie from u guys someday!! :D Fr Rich Pagano is one of my favourite priests i appreciate how he words things he's very very sincere faithful & knowledgeable. i would be comfortable asking him anything.
I was told to pay $500.00 for the sins of my family. This was by a text message pretending to be the bishop. When I checked where the money was going it was a odd club for sking. When I asked about that they said they had no control where the funds were going. I did not give the funds. I contacted the Bishop office next day and left message but no one would return my calls. I also asked help with demonic activity in home but was denied. Someone told the diocese not to help me. When I asked the priest for help and wanted him to fast and come to my home fir help he scolded me for not acting in a loving way. I was upset but having this type of activity in one's home causes you to be upset. I am not attending church now. Only attending mass spiritually online. I am sad and very unclear how to proceed. I have lost trust with priest and bishops.
Sorry that happened to you, but please don't lose trust in all priests and bishops. Unfortunately you may have run into a couple of bad ones, but you may want to seek going to another Parish.
When I got married, u couldn’t drink wine bc it wasn’t allowed, nor could u dance. This I think has made me very angry and my husband also feels let down , so he went and found another bt, that is going to have what he didn’t have at our wedding! I’m broken, heart broken that he has done this to me!
Father Rich, do you know Father Leonard? Hes an amazing Priest here in Florida!
I'm a bit confused as to how our wedding was handled. We were never told there was a charge for the sacrament per say but we were told there was a fee and there was a payment plan. Then when we asked for a donation receipt for tax purposes we were told we could not have one as we got a service. So this sounds like wedding ceremony equals seevice, therefore there was a charge for it.
That sounds…wrong! Did you get married in some beautiful, sought-after Cathedral? Still weird, but would make a little more sense.
The "fee" is for cleanup. I work in a parish and you can't believe the work to set up and clean up.
@@clareomalley5644 The fee was over $2,000 in 2014. That seems like a large fee for cleaning up, doesn't it?
@@BabsFan-lw1yh Not a cathedral, it was a chapel next to a mission (because we couldn't afford the mission price tag).
@@maribellopez3149 Was it a historical church? Curious!
When I was a baby the priest refused to baptize me because my parents weren’t married.
Half of the children would not be baptized today if that were the case.
I was upset when my parish decided to no longer announce what priest is holding what mass on their calendar. Now I can no longer avoid the priest who uses the pulpit as a political cudgel. :(
my church growing up was so crowded they had two masses at once - one upstairs in the church, one next door in the school gymnasium - my parents would often peek in to see which priest was in each and choose the one who had the shortest homilies
what are you going to do when we don't have a priest???
Yeah, that's awful. I also have tough times enduring political speeches and, at other times, liturgical abuses by some priests during Mass. But what I learned from many church teachings is: when this happens, pray for the conversion of the priest. And when you go to communion, besides communing for your own conversion and for the consolation of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, as usual, also commune for his conversion. Remain steadfast in this purpose as it will make all the difference in his life - and in the lives of other priests, you can be sure.
@@ulysses_grant Thank you, that is a very meaningful message and I will take it to heart.
I’d appreciate hearing your thoughts on speaking to the parish on propositions that promote moral decay in our communities, like a state proposition increasing the availability of abortion. I agree that promoting specific candidates is ill-advised, but this seems different yet likely to bring about division.
Can anybody receive ashes?
Yes!
Yes
Yes!
Honestly, for someone to hold it against the church for one clergy member saying something 30 years ago (to his uncle and not even himself) is stunning. That excuse gets old.
That's also where I have to work on. Make sure I treat my wife am I children like a for fatherly love
You can't have it both ways.. May God grant them the grace to see their errors..
I believe all priests should have a relationship with the Mama Mary.
Pray 3 hail Mary's every day for the priests!
8. "You don't have to believe everything I tell you." An Episcopalian priest told that to a guy named Obergefell. Guess what he ended up doing.
@catholictalkshow On the subject of denying absolution, I have a question. As Christ said what you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, doesn't follow that priests should almost always allow absolution? In my thinking, Christ is going to honor His statement, so if we even hope Christ will forgive this person, we have to. Or am I over thinking this?
As far as baptism: Canonically they have to be registered in a parish (not necessarily the parish where the baptism is taking place) and the only reason a priest can say no is that the family has no intention to raise the child Catholic or a third party wants to have the child baptized against the will of the legal guardians. Some priests like me do not accept stipends for weddings, baptisms, and funerals from practicing parishioners. Remember that there are sins that an average priest does not have authority to absolve without permission: three have to have to have papal permission for absolution ( physical attacks on the pope, breaking the seal of the confessional, and desecration of the Blessed Sacrament. Still canonically true) As a priest for 27 years I have never had to deny a baptism save when a third party did not have the permission of the primary guardians) and only once for needing the pope's permission.
For the intentions of Pope Francis, Fr Rich and all priests and religious that they proclaim the Gospel in Truth through Christ our Lord. Amen. ❤🙏❤
Amen!🙏❤️
Yeah, you have to give something for a wedding or Baptism.. In the scheme of a Wedding it's not the most expensive part..
The statue of Jesus….his head is going… He’s agreeing with you guys. The other statues are still
I was listening to a homily and a priest repeated what someone said to him in confession. He did not use the person's name. He was trying to use it as a teaching moment. I thought that in most cases priests were not allowed to repeat any sins that they hear in confession.
Unless he mentioned a name I am not that concerned. There are no new sins only variations of the same ones.
Where does the responsibility lie within the diocese, and leaving priest for a priest change, when the diocese and among priests there was a belief/knowledge that the incoming priest has issues, but the staff at the church were not warned. We thought we were to have a "younger" vibrant priest and ended up with a grenade with pin pulled. I have come to not be angry at the diocese, and I do understand the idea of personal privacy as the reason we were not informed. But this resulted in one staff member on an extended leave, and 3 leaving - while the new priest was present , or after the arrival of a new administrator.
In Australia, voting over the age of 18 is mandatory.
If you don’t vote in elections or referendums, you get fined.
So much for an anonymous vote 😂
@@mrsducky3428 fortunately, the Australian Electoral Commission only keeps a record THAT we voted, not how we voted.
That is one thing I really like about the United States. You vote if you want to. Mandatory voting sounds like something from a Communist regime.
My pastor yelled at me and told me I shouldn’t go to Mass twice a day and many more outrageous and irrational things. I Told the bishop and he hasn’t done anything !!! This pastor is mean and egotistical It’s very upsetting and I feel it’s wrong. What else can I do ?
I have to disagree with one thing… I had a priest deny me absolution once, and it was an eye opening experience that changed my course. As much as it hurt me, it’s what I needed to hear to acknowledge the depth of my sin, I wouldn’t have changed if he hadn’t held me accountable. I am thankful now for his harshness because it was truthful and loving, it’s not loving to affirm someone that is doing wrong. He honestly led me closer to Jesus by doing this.
my main one would be, "Oh hello, Timothy! You're looking especially well since you turned the big 1-3."
Can a lay person ask a bishop for a blessing ? My pastor said I had no right to ask the bishop for a blessing. And yelled at me about it.
Where can I get a Fr. Mike candle?
The mention of voting for candidates who support the issues we Catholics support is very difficult in the U.S. today. I am Pro Life, but a politician or party who only supports life prior to being born will NEVER get my vote. I see too many children suffering due to illness, abuse, hunger, etc in one of the richest country in the world. It is a very sad, difficult decision to make. I pray 🙏 and do my best to listen to God. No party and few politicians will check all the boxes but I Will Vote my conscience.
Murder (abortion) is one of the commandments. Giving to the poor is not. There are gradations of sin. Supporting the party of abortion is high on the sin scale.
Ive experienced some priests who are truly mericiful, humble, wise, and vicars of Christ, but still regular guys...and ive experienced absolute soul crusher priests. These soul crushers dont necessarily have to be predators, but so awful they really make you consider the religion, and sadly some faith in God.
I appreciate that it is a donation but I would like to know what is the norm, or what does it cost or a guideline on what to donate. If I can donate the full cost I would if I could give more I would it is just for me such an unknown and I'm sure I'm not the only one. It would be nice if there was a guideline.
in confession asking a women if she ever had an abortion i was taken aback and im 71
O my gosh, yes! I would probably get sarcastic and reply, " I can't remember that far back." Simply because this, to me , sounds like a priest wanting to find someone to condemn, and I will not play that game. I have been through too much over too many years with the church to let someone push me out now.
Ummmm...that's good that the priest asked that! I had a priest ask me that. It's fine.
Wow I would be flabbergasted I would call your diocese and report him. unbelievable!!
No that priest is an A$$ sorry.
How did you handle that? And did you notify your bishop?
Prior to Vatican II, one of the precepts of the church used to be tithing. Willfully not following the precepts of the church is a mortal sin. I’m not trying to argue about the decision of the priest, but thought this could use some context. Perhaps the priest recognized and urged him to confess this sin, and withheld absolution before doing so?
It still is a precept of The Church.
@@mattmackinnan8557 My mistake, you are correct.
What about charging for a funeral? We were going to gift the priest, but he told us he charges 250.00 for a funeral?????
Is there a cannon law that says for funerals, weddings sacramentals, you may charge a certain amount? Our pastor charges $400 for a funeral.we are a rural area and have a congregation of under a 100 parishioners who live on social security pensions or are farming families..
So is it that they want the conversion of souls? Or is it that we only want particular souls? I really want to join the church. But I don't wanna be nickeled and dimmed. To have Sacramento or to prove that I'm worthy of his heavenly Kingdom.
The good priest want to walk with you on our road to Christ. But as they said, priests are people, too. And let's face it, some have more people skills than others. I was away from the church for 30 years based on what a priest said. Then we got a new bishop who did a series of interviews on who we were to be as church. That gave me the courage to come back. I would suggest spend time with the catechism, some of the lives of the saints, and have a good sense of who you are in Christ and of course, try to find a priest that you connect with. There are incredibly good priest that I love, but I won't personally talk to just because they misread me. That's a personality thing, but it can be important. I hope this isn't too long winded. May the grace of God be with you.
Try to find a local monastery. The Brothers and Father's there have way more time to help you than a local parish priest.
Went to one and asked a young priest to go over the "examination of conscience" with us, and he willingly did. Half way through, he admitted it was helping him as much as it was helping us!
From Canon Law:§2. As a rule an adult is to be baptized in his or her parish church and an infant in the parish church of the parents unless a just cause suggests otherwise. Am I being a hinderance to Baptism if I ask that a parent (or both) register at our parish before a Baptism? And that I suggest that they come to Mass regularly and support the Church? I bet there are some people with whom I spoke said that I wouldn't schedule a Baptism until they gave money. And that isn't true, I believe in encouraging participation at a parish church.
When trying to get our firstborn baptized, the parish required, we pay for classes. Then they had to "approve" the God parents. Then they had to have proof that we were "active" members (found out later that meant consistent tithe checks)
At about the 4 year mark, the baptism still hadn't been approved and a priest came in said there was a new parish in town and of you lived in this area, you had to move to that parish. The next week we made an appointment with that parish priest and asked for a baptism. He was kind and said "parish staff is thin, and we're trying to get ready for Easter, so come back after Easter and we'll get it scheduled" made an appointment right then and there for after Easter. Show up on time ready to get this done, & he said "CHILDREN OF THAT AGE NEED TO BE BAPTIZED AT EASTER! WHY DID YOU WAIT UNTIL NOW!!!! You'll have to wait until next Easter for the baptism. Please leave, I'm busy"
Yeah like that. About a year later, dad asked "why isn't this baby baptized?" Explained entire situation. He said "let me make some phone calls"
Called me back & says"get to MY parish right now, go see Sister ____ " walked in, she was waiting, with the paperwork filled out for a baptism in 4 days. Signed the papers and it was that easy.
Situations like yours are why so many have gotten fed up and left the church. Glad your dad could help out.