What Really Happened to Judas?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
July 29, 2026
What happened to Judas? Is Judas in hell? He despaired. What happens when other people fall into despair and kill themselves?
Posts from:
Pat McCloskey, OFM
Pat McCloskey, OFM, is the Franciscan advisor for St. Anthony Messenger and the writer of its "Ask a Franciscan" column.
Did Mary Have Real Freedom?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
July 28, 2026
A friend of mine believes that Mary did not have free will as other humans have. Therefore, she had no choice but to say yes to the angel at the Annunciation.
Origins of the Celibacy Rule
Pat McCloskey, OFM
July 27, 2026
When did the Roman Catholic Church begin to require celibacy before a man could be ordained a priest? Why? Doesn’t this suggest that marriage is inferior to celibacy?
Excommunicated for an Abortion?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
July 24, 2026
Our diocese distributed a pamphlet on examining your conscience. It states that having an abortion or encouraging a woman to do so would mean automatic excommunication from the Catholic Church. If I do that, is this so?
Forgiveness from One’s Spouse
Pat McCloskey, OFM
July 23, 2026
If a person commits adultery and then goes to confession, does that person have to ask forgiveness from his or her spouse?
Avoiding Public Prayer
Pat McCloskey, OFM
July 22, 2026
My 49-year-old daughter left the Catholic Church several years ago. She loves praying by herself to God the Father but avoids public prayer. How can she not recognize Jesus’ presence in the Blessed Sacrament?
Fearing God the Father
Pat McCloskey, OFM
July 21, 2026
I find the infant Jesus and the adult Jesus very approachable. When I think of God the Father, however, I am very afraid.