Hawaii Catholic Herald

Newspaper of the Diocese of Honolulu

Father Kenneth Doyle: Priest, monsignor: What’s the difference?

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QUESTION CORNER Q: Could you explain for me the difference (if any) between “priest” and “monsignor”? Under what circumstances is a priest given the title of “monsignor”? (Burke, Virginia) A: ”Monsignor” is a title bestowed on a priest who has distinguished himself by exceptional service to the church. It is a title granted by the […]

Father Kenneth Doyle: What’s the church’s position on the transgendered?

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QUESTION CORNER Q: There has been a lot in the news lately about people who identify with the gender opposite the one listed on their birth certificate. Some take hormones of the opposite sex; some even have surgery to “change” their sex. What is the Catholic Church’s position on such transgender people? Is it OK […]

Father Kenneth Doyle: Did Jesus feel abandoned?

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QUESTION CORNER Q: When Jesus was dying on the cross, according to the Gospel, he cried out, “My God, why have you abandoned me?” Why was he saying this? Did he really feel that his Father had abandoned him? (Coxs Creek, Kentucky) A: Half a century ago, when I first began to think about the […]

Father Kenneth Doyle: How’s a vegetarian to abstain?

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QUESTION CORNER Q: I have always observed the fast and abstinence rules during Lent, but this year I find myself in a weird situation. Last summer, I decided no longer to eat any animal products — a decision I made for my health. So abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent is no longer a […]

Father Kenneth Doyle: Why the name change when parishes merge?

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QUESTION CORNER Q: Why do names of churches have to change when parishes merge? I understand that they might not want to have a St. Mary’s/St. Joseph’s, but the new names are nothing like what we were used to; they are more complicated and difficult to remember. (Latham, New York) A: Names of churches do […]

Father Kenneth Doyle: May I go shopping on Sunday?

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QUESTION CORNER Q: Genesis 2:3 says that, after creating the universe, God “rested from all the work he had done.” Since the church has always viewed the seventh day (Sunday) as holy, a day of rest and worship, is it right to go shopping on Sunday (which means that store clerks have to work on […]

Father Kenneth Doyle: When did we stop paying for indulgences?

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QUESTION CORNER Q: When did the church stop asking for money for indulgences? And why did they ask for money in the first place? (Wichita, Kansas) A: I am almost reluctant to answer your question because, as asked, a simple response would imply a serious admission. Though it has been accused for centuries of having […]

Father Kenneth Doyle: When will we act on the priest shortage?

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QUESTION CORNER Q: I am very saddened now whenever I read the obituary notice for a priest — even if I haven’t known him personally — because I feel that this continues the downward spiral for the Catholic Church which has meant so much to me. (I am now 73.) When is the church going […]