Hawaii Catholic Herald

Newspaper of the Diocese of Honolulu

Father Kenneth Doyle: Is there sex in heaven? How do I receive forgiveness?

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QUESTION CORNER Q: It seems odd that genital intercourse is automatically excluded in theological views of heaven — since Christian hope envisions the fulfillment of all things and, therefore, the redemption of our bodies. If God’s love redeems all things, then shouldn’t it redeem sexual life? Do you personally believe that there will be sexual […]

Father Kenneth Doyle: Was author of ‘Hail, Holy Queen’ troubled? Did God create COVID-19?

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QUESTION CORNER Q: The prayer “Hail, Holy Queen” has three phrases in it that trouble me. They are: “to thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve”; “mourning and weeping in this valley of tears”; and “after this, our exile.” The author of this prayer makes life on earth appear to be a punishment. […]

Father Kenneth Doyle: May we pray to Mother Angelica? Are there sins only the pope can pardon?

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QUESTION CORNER Q: I have always had great admiration for Mother Angelica. Would it be wrong of me to talk to her and ask her prayers if she has not yet been declared “blessed” by the church? (Phoenix) A: Mother Angelica died in 2016 at the age of 92. In 1981, she founded the Eternal […]

Father Kenneth Doyle: May we question the pope’s China policy? Is it too late to pray?

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QUESTION CORNER Q: I was surprised to read in the Catholic press an article criticizing Pope Francis’ agreement to allow the Communist government to nominate candidates for bishops in China. So my question is this: Are those under the pope’s authority allowed to question publicly such an arrangement made by the Holy Father? (Newark, Ohio) […]

Father Kenneth Doyle: Sacrament by intention (during the coronavirus) and genuflecting or bowing

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QUESTION CORNER Q: I am a recent (fervent) convert to the Catholic Church. I am also a registered nurse and have held many patients as they passed on to eternity. I am concerned over the issue of priests being “barred” from hospitals during the current coronavirus epidemic; I have heard many Catholics bemoan the fact […]

Father Kenneth Doyle: When Gospel accounts conflict, Politics from the pulpit

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QUESTION CORNER Q: In the Gospel for the feast of the Epiphany, Matthew indicates that the Magi visited with King Herod in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus’ birth and that apparently very soon after their visit, the Holy Family fled to Egypt to avoid the wrath of Herod and stayed there until Herod had […]

Father Kenneth Doyle: Is an annulment required? What do I do if I drop the host?

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QUESTION CORNER Q: I am a Catholic and single father of two. I was not married Catholic originally and was divorced 20 years ago. I am looking to marry a woman who was married in a Catholic ceremony and divorced 20 years ago because of abuse. The paperwork required for her to obtain an annulment […]

Father Kenneth Doyle: What is a good Catholic Bible? What if my family isn’t with me in heaven?

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QUESTION CORNER Q: My wife realized that my Bible is not Catholic when I could not locate the Book of Sirach in it. What is a good Catholic Bible, with a contemporary translation from Greek? (My ultimate preference would be a Catholic Bible with the Old Testament translated from Hebrew and the New Testament from […]

Father Kenneth Doyle: Is the Alpha movement approved? Were there women deacons?

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QUESTION CORNER Q: A number of Catholic parishes here in my archdiocese have hosted programs on the Alpha movement in Christianity. I have found conflicting guidance as to the legitimacy/orthodoxy of this movement. Can you advise me as to whether it is approved for Catholic membership? (Tigard, Oregon) A: Alpha is a program of Christian […]

Father Kenneth Doyle: Why a crucifix instead of a cross? Can medication be used to help this condition?

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QUESTION CORNER Q: Most of my family is Protestant, but I became an adult convert four years ago and was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith. Members of my family often ask me questions about Catholic beliefs, and usually I can answer them, but recently my mother asked me one that I need your […]