Ask a Franciscan

Is Social Justice Marxism?

Q: I am a big supporter of Glenn Beck and all the work he is doing to save the country. On one of his programs, he was discussing social justice, which is Marxism, and how the government is trying to absorb the churches to run them as everything else—as the Communists do. He said there is a part of our Church that is tied into Marxism. What is it and how can we stop it?

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When Did Jesus become a Catholic?

Q: A few years ago, I overheard a Catholic woman ask her friend, "When did Jesus become a Catholic?" A few of us laughed but did try to explain that Jesus was the Christ. He was born Jewish and died Jewish. ...
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barbed wire fence in a field

Why Does Evil Exist?

If God is all-powerful and all-good, why does evil exist?
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‘Dresser of Sycamores’

Q. In Amos 7:14, at the king’s sanctuary in Bethel, the prophet verbally defends himself against the priest Amaziah by denying that he ever said he belonged to a company of prophets. Amos adds, “I am a herdsman and a ...
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Baptizing Grandchildren Secretly

At a recent meeting, the topic of unbaptized grandchildren came up. I have been told by many priests and deacons that I could not baptize my grandchildren because it can only be administered once. What happens when grandparents baptize their ...
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Why Was Jesus Baptized?

Q. Matthew 3:13-17 describes the baptism of Jesus, including John the Baptist’s objection that Jesus should be baptizing him. Why did Jesus want to be baptized, anyway? A. This question was raised by Christians already in the first century, which ...
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A religious painting

Finding Satan’s Story in the Bible

Where in the Bible can I find the story of Lucifer and the fallen angels? I’ve looked, but without success. Is there some other book that contains this story?
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Do you have a question for Father Pat McCloskey, OFM? The author of our popular "Ask a Franciscan" feature is ready to answer your toughest questions!

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