Comments on: The Pope Answers Questions from Journalists

By: Mary A. Whitley

Mary A. Whitley — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 01:15:19 +0000

I wish to thank Fr. Morris for his blogs and his fair commentary during the Pope’s visit to the U.S.
I was pleasantly surprised at Fox News’ abundant coverage of the Pope’s visit compared to its competing networks.(If there was biased /controvery-seeking coverage at Fox, I didn’t observe it, i.e. “Lou Dobbs” etc.)

Thanks again…it was a life-changing event for me, and I appreciated your part in providing access to many of the events (epecially without commercial interuption.)

God Bless Fr. Morris and the staff at Fox News.

By: Jean Goncalves

Jean Goncalves — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 21:25:17 +0000

Father Johnathan, Thank you and Fox News Channel for the wonderful coverage given to our Pope’s visit! I watch Fox News constantly to get the real unbiased news. Father Johnathan, you are the best advertisement for the Catholic church. Your easy to understand answers to all questions is refreshing. I know you have many (especially young people) looking at the Catholic church in a more favorable light. God Bless you and Fox News Channel and keep up the good work!

By: tom chastain

tom chastain — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 13:52:33 +0000

fox news correspondent father jonathan morris has been doing a great job covering pope benedicts vist to america. I have really been blessed by father jonathan morris book “the promise” he has a web site that is http://www.fatherjonathan.com and it is on harper collins books. if you have ever gone through some tough times in life this book will get you through them.
I think pope benedicts vist to the us will benefit us all. I think it will get us thinking about our faith and strenthen our courage and possibly forget about some of the things that we hurt about and deal with.
he has some great books out : Jesus of nazereth, saved in hope,truth and tolerence, on the way to Jesusus christ, without roots, Gods revolution,values in a time of upheaval, God is near us, God is love

great gift idea for friends and family dont mothers day or a great birthday gift or a wonderful gift for a highschool or college gift for a student

By: S. Lopez

S. Lopez — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:41:56 +0000

Response to Aurdrey Cross;

On your comment concerning the small crowd at the White House. Remember this was the White House Lawn, not a football stadium. Also, this was the largest crowd assembled at the White House lawn for the reception of a foreign head of state during the Bush years.

As I understand from the media reports, the Mass at the Nationals baseball Park was “sold out”, and I would bet the Mass at Yankee Stadium will be like wise.

By: Alexander Adlai Arrington

Alexander Adlai Arrington — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:01:51 +0000

We should all look to God for help, I have and he literally spoke to me, as I stared in the sky with tears, if we all did the same, think of how changing the world could be.

By: Alexander Adlai Arrington

Alexander Adlai Arrington — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:00:38 +0000

Yay for the pope, most like Jesus on the earth, he has great holy love, for all.

By: Terri

Terri — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 12:31:35 +0000

I am delighted to follow this generous visit of our Holy Father. I would like to offer a different perspective on the abuse scandal. I left the Catholic church for 12 years to practice my faith with the Episcopalians. Liberal and modern, it was an attractive answer to my perceived injustices of an anti-woman, pro rules church. I have come to see I was wrong, and our Church is beautifully correct..
Many people are angry that “the church covered the abuse up” And I agree that was wrong. However, compare that stance with the Episcopal position of preaching immorality from the pulpit as good, right and God’s highest will for a human life! At least the RCC always knew what happened was wrong.

By: Saul Padilla

Saul Padilla — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 03:03:54 +0000

Father Jonathan,

It should not come as a surprise to any of us that the media, maily liberal, focuses more on the abuses than in what has been done by the church to prevent this to happen again. Many times, we catholics, find ourselves in informal conversations at work or elsewhere, in which priests are severely critized by the behavior of a few. It is hard to defend the church and the vast majority of priests without facts. I humbly suggest that bulletins at churches include such information and followup updates to keep us informed. Perhaps it should even be mentioned at the pulpit every now and then.

On a different matter, one third of catholics attending mass on any given Sunday sounds like the low end of the range. By that I don’t mean it is not true, but perhaps we need more religious education, a better understanding and knowledge of the bible. Since I started to read the daily meditations published on the Regnum Christi web page http://www.regnumchriti.org my understanding of the readings and the word of God has improved by many folds.

Keep up the good work and God bless you and the Legionaries.

By: Stacey

Stacey — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 20:00:15 +0000

Fr. Jon,

I forgot to mention in my previous comment…I was recently told of a study done comparing sex abuse within the Catholic Church to that of other denominations, and the numbers were astounding. Where the Catholic Church in the US has that 4%, I was told that protastants (cumulatively) have a rate of nearly 20% for sexual preditors! I had rather put that conversation on the back burner, until reading this blog today, and also the big media bliz about the sex abuse scandals. Why hasn’t the media put this information out there? I guess it is easiest to hit the largest target.

Again, God bless you…

By: Diane in Brown County

Diane in Brown County — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 18:27:09 +0000

First of all I would like to thank Pope Benedict XVI for coming to the U.S. and for his blessings. I would also like to thank President Bush and his family for being so gracious to someone who is so precious to us (Catholics ).

Here in Indiana, we are surrounded by the goodness and generosity of the Catholic Faith. I know in Indianapolis alone we have St. Vincent and St Francis hospitals , numerous Catholic grade schools and high schools and colleges. There is the St. Vincent Depaul to help the displaced and poor, St. Augustine Nursing Home run by the Sisters of the Poor. These various organizations and their volunteers help millions of people OF ALL FAITHS each year .

There is a goodness that permeates our church and faith and is personified by Pope Benedict XVI.

By: Dan Adams

Dan Adams — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 17:31:41 +0000

Fr. Jonathan,

I am a cradle Catholic who came back and when I did, I brought my new wife with me. I have never seen someone embrace the Catholic Church like my wife. I have been attending Baptist churches for 7 years when I married my wife and the first day I went back to Mass I cried like a baby. IT was like I had been reunited with God.

My point is, do you think the Pope will address the apathy we have in the Church in America? To me, that’s as big a problem as any we have. I see Catholics taking for granted what we have every Mass and not taking it very seriously. My wife, as a new Catholic who is studying everything about our Church is appalled! I for one feel we need re-education in our Church in America.

Dan

By: Nellie

Nellie — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 17:29:35 +0000

Dear Father Jonathan,

I am so encouraged by the Pope’s visit and his words. It gives me new strength and a love of my church.

I am really worried that Nancy Polosi, John Kerry and others who claim they are Catholic are setting up the Pope by receiving the Holy Sacrament of Communion while they actively support abortion and the homosexual agenda for America. I am praying that as the leader of the Catholic Church the Pope honors and upholds the law of the church and refuses these lawmakers communion. I pray that the Pope shows a strength of character not shown by these Politian’s’ local church leaders. But what if no one informs him. Shame, Shame, Shame on Kennedy, Durbin, Kerry, and Pelosi for thinking they are above church law. For trying to exploit the Holy Father and not honoring the Pope’s visit. They are taking actions that will harm our church. Do you think anyone will inform the Pope of what they are planning to do?

God Bless

By: FOX News Religion Contributor Father Jonathan

FOX News Religion Contributor Father Jonathan — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 17:03:46 +0000

When you say I don’t speak over people’s head, I kind of laugh. Unfortunately, I don’t try to speak simply…I just don’t know how to get any more complicated!!! Yikes!

God bless, Father Jonathan

By: audrey cross

audrey cross — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:45:39 +0000

I am not Cathiloc but I do believe that there is a god, and I do pray, and I also make sure I keep up on events with the Pope because I believe he is a very important man. But one thing I do not believe is the size of the crowd at the White house. There are about ten thousand people there, which is supposedly the biggest crowd every that has been there before, so this is a big event for the President. But for the Pope I believe this crowd is nearly a very small gathering, because at the Vatican City there are tens of thousand of people there! Honestly I think if this is the Popes FIRST visit to the US and there are only ten thousand people there it is almost an embarrassment. You can gather 60 thousand people EASILY for a football game so why can’t the Pope on his first visit to the US get 60 thousand people at the White House? This is making me assume that the US is not as highly as appreciative of the Pope as other countries. I mean no disrespect to the US or the Pope, but I do believe the size of this crowd is just too small for such an important event in World History.

Sincerely, Audrey Cross
Upstate New York

By: Carolyn Ross

Carolyn Ross — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 13:30:20 +0000

The pope is finally here, and I’ll be glad when he is finally gone.
I find the blasphemy incredibly offensive. I cringe when I consider what God in Heaven must be thinking when people worship this man, who claims to be god on earth.

What I wonder- is what will be the long-lasting affects of this pope’s visit?
Why did he come here? I’m sure he came here for much more than to discuss immigration reform or their sex abuse scandals. Time will reveal the true intent of this visit.

I see the pope is visiting the White House today. There is a good visual example of “uniting” church and state.

As a fox news viewer, I cringe every time I hear someone calling this man the “Holy Father”.
The pope is not MY Father.

My Holy Father - is the one and only Father in Heaven. God spoke of this in the 10 commandments.
1. You shall not have any other gods before Me. (The pope is a ‘god’… is he not?)

How do people reconcile what the God of heaven says in His very first commandment to this worshipping of the Pope? According to “Romanism As It Is”, p 124, 125, “The canon law… and the canonists say that ‘the pope is the one God who has all power in heaven and in earth”.

As for me and my house… we will worship Jesus Christ and God the TRUE Father… only.

By: Jan from Iowa

Jan from Iowa — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 08:01:29 +0000

I have a question that is troubling. I heard Bill Maher on HBO say that Benedict when a Cardinal instructed the bishops to “delay” all sex abuse cases until the state of limitations was passed. Is this correct? I disagree with Bill Maher on all things pertaining to religion. He was a Catholic.
I AM a Catholic but want to know the truth on this subject. Can you tell me? I am appalled by the sex abuse of priests and do not defend it. I think that it is a criminal act that should be subjected as all abuse cases are to the law. Money is not the answer !! True it may help get counseling for those affected but “buying off” the victims is wrong.
I will always be a Catholic and love my church and my faith. People are human and do sin, as we all do. But, covering up the sins of sexual abuse and not bringing the people accountable to pay (in a civil court) is wrong. Moving priests around in a parish is wrong. I had a priest in my parish (also a teacher) who went on to be a Bishop and he is also accused of sexual abuse. He will not admit to it but allegations are believable and his case is treated as such (with money paid, etc.).
I myself never witnessed any abuse in my life as a Catholic parishoner and student (from 3rd grade through 12 grade) in a Catholic School.
One more serious question, please, that is troubling me.
When in the seminary…….how are men instructed to remain celebate?
Is masturbation approved? I never thought it was but I am wondering if anything is said or “accepted” on this order? I don’t want to believe that but am wondering.
I have three adult children. Two left the church……one to be a Baptist and one to be a Methodist. One is a Catholic. I love all three and pray for all three. They are devout in their faiths…….it is hard as I was raised a Catholic and all my family have been for generations. I stand up for my faith and the Catholic Church but do want to know the truth, for myself.
Thank You, Fr. Jonathan. I always read your columns and forward them to my family and friends, often. I have a good friend who is a priest and forward them to him, too. I just cannot ask him these questions but hopefully you can and will answer them for me.
Thanks.
God Bless.

By: Dena

Dena — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 03:58:03 +0000

Father Jonathan, I would love to hear more about your book. I really enjoy watching you on FOX and I feel that you relate things in a manner that is understandable and not over one’s head. I read any and all spiritual books I can but I must say they have to be in easily understood terms. I am a “cradle Catholic” and am proud to say that my husband just converted after nearly 30 years of marriage. We so enjoy going to the weekly RCIA classes.

I am a great fan of Pope John Paul II and have a collage of pictures of His Holiness in my living room. He was a great leader and made a strong impact on the majority of my religious life. A very fascinating individual - and I look forward to getting to know Pope Benedict as well. I hope the liberal press will give the Catholic Church a break for once, I cannot understand why and how they can feel they are doing the right thing by talking so biased and bad about one particular religion. Let’s hear more talk about the religion that makes people fly planes into buildings and the falicies therein.

With Deep Respect -

Dena

By: Liz

Liz — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 03:03:13 +0000

I mistakenly left the Catholic faith in protest of the abuses but really it was more for reasons of what I mistakenly ‘thought’ was the Catholic church. In the end I have returned home to open arms no less. The abuses were twofold, on the one hand the victims and on the other the perpetrators. In both instances Jesus himself stands in the place of the victims and in his scandalized church. My walking away was not an answer; it additionally hurt His church. We don’t always get it right. Sometimes we’re lost, confused, in pain but we’re in it together. We respond as a community and in this lies our strength and our hope. The church is incomplete until we all come home.
I am grateful to be home, and thankful our pope has come to spread the message of Christ our Hope.

By: Stephen Nalley

Stephen Nalley — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 01:49:02 +0000

Father Jonathan,

Thank you again for the response. Yes I can imagine that being 81 he would pick and choose every trip. And I hope that Im as spray as alert as the Pope was this afternoon when he landed at Andrews.

By: Mary Ryan

Mary Ryan — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:27:56 +0000

Did anyone notice that when the sex scandals came out that it wasn’t in one isolated area but nationwide? This seemed to be a concerted effort by the media and some greedy lawyers to discredit the Catholic Church. When it became obvious that for the most part this was a homosexual problem the media changed its attack and then went after the bishops. Keep in mind that the majority of the cases were from at least 2o years ago and at that time the bishops were following the protocol that was in place then. Which was to remove the accused priest to a rehab center where the psychiatrists supposedly could rehabilitate them. Also, what is interesting is that many of the priests that were accused of wrong doing were already dead. (How convient for the lawyers and their class action lawsuits!) What I find really sad is that many of these priests were exonerated but their good names never will be. The media doesn’t tell you that.

I am not saying that all the cases are false or that there was no wrong doing by some of these priests. But from the way the media has portrayed this you would think that just about every Catholic priest was or is a sexual deviant. This is unfortunate because there are so many dedicated and hard working priests who sacrifice so much to follow Christ’s calling.

Thank you Fr. Jon for being such a positive role model for the priesthood!