The Cowl Doesn’t Make the Monk
Pat McCloskey, OFM
July 16, 2026
Who decreed that all clergy and the majority of the many orders of brothers and sisters must wear black?
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.
Were Any Soldiers Saints?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
July 15, 2026
Are there any saints who were soldiers? What was their faith journey like?
‘Catholics Seem Obsessed with Mary’
Pat McCloskey, OFM
July 14, 2026
I am an evangelical Christian who is seriously considering conversion to Catholicism. Why do Catholics seem obsessed with Mary?
Was Saint Peter the Bishop of Rome?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
July 13, 2026
In his book The Future of the Catholic Church with Pope Francis, Garry Wills states that there is no evidence before AD 100 that there was any bishop in Rome. Is that true?
How Old Is the Earth?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
July 10, 2026
Does the Catholic Church agree with geologists about the age of the earth? Why would God create dinosaurs, have them roam the earth for millions of years and then create human beings?
To Whom Do Bishops Report?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
July 9, 2026
To whom do bishops and dioceses report their activities? To archbishops? To cardinals? To the pope?
When a Bishop Resigns
Pat McCloskey, OFM
July 8, 2026
What happens to a Catholic bishop when he resigns? Where does he go? Does he still have a rank within the Church? What financial assistance does he receive?