Catholicism - Rites and Sacraments

For the foreseeable future the Catholic priesthood is only open to male candidates, for a range of unalterable doctrinal reasons whose details need not detain us here, but which to Christians from more liberal traditions can seem increasingly hardline and even self-defeating ~ in an age when fewer ordinands are coming forward from among only 50% of the population who happen to be male.

The baptism stipulation (Ans.2) is genuine but not exclusive, in that baptism into several other churches is acceptable: within the past 20 years or so, several alienated ex-Anglican priests (for instance) have converted en-bloc to Rome by special dispensation ~ sometimes bringing entire congregations across with them ~ after differing with the 'C of E' over gender issues such as women priests or the sanctioning of marriage between same-sex couples, divorcees or whatever.

Further to Ans.3, a first degree is a marker that someone has a trained and capable mind, potentially able to assimilate all the complex information needed for priestly ministry; but the seminary will then provide not only that information, but also the crucial 'soft' pastoral skills of dealing with everyone from committees to the sick and those in all manner of need

Catholic marriage can only ever be heterosexual (i.e. one each of male and female) but only one of these need be a baptised Catholic. The other may have been baptised in any of a range of different but compatible traditions, provided they can prove so with a certificate, else a bishop's dispensation is required

Nuptial Mass (Ans.1) is the assumed custom when the wedding is between two Catholics, and a full complement of Scripture readings (Ans.2) leaves little room for external material. On this point at least, your lifelong Anglican author is happy to concur, having (in his role as an organist) sat through any number of mawkish light-verse and folk wisdom read by well-intentioned ~ but often self-conscious if not downright giggly ~ family members at weddings and indeed also funerals. Last weekend at time of writing, he played out a couple to the strains of 'I'm forever blowing bubbles', as a requested reference to the groom's football allegiance. 'Why not?', you may fairly ask ... well, just consider for a few moments ... a happy occasion is one thing, but where on earth is the sanctity or dignity in that? Meanwhile the floral offering (Ans.4) refers to Mary as the instigator of Jesus' first public miracle (water into wine) at the Wedding at Cana in Galilee ~ itself usually alluded-to in the preamble to the heart of the wedding service

A bishop will do this duty. His characteristic hat ('mitre') represents the flames alighting on the heads of the Apostles at Pentecost, the 'birthday of the Church' when ~ led by Peter ~ its missionary work first began

The dying person might well not be capable of sustained thought or speech, in which case insistence on Confession would seem rather harsh, though, if still practicable, it could be done. These Last Rites are also known as Anointing of the Sick, or Extreme Unction

You need not have been Confirmed (Ans.1) to receive First ~ or subsequent ~ Communion; you could not offer Mass to others unless you were Ordained (Ans.3); Anointing is not a prerequisite. But Confession (Penance) is most definitely a precondition, because you cannot approach God in the Mass while still knowingly encumbered with sin and guilt

There are of course plenty of Catholics in both North and (particularly) South America, but there is no American Rite as such. If you have heritage or other cultural interests in Rites from further afield, we encourage you to conduct your own careful research

It may seem a shame that there can be key differences of interpretation even in so initial a common cause. But clearly it would be wrong to seek to blame any sincere party for that state of affairs

Confession is a complex matter of faith and psychology, which you may wish to explore carefully through your own research and perhaps by gently asking practising Catholics that you know, to explain and discuss it with you

Depending on the nature of the illness, since quite ancient times people have been encouraged to 'put something on it' ~ certain such things being more effective than others down the ages. But anointing with holy oil is potently symbolic, and while it does not replace nor supplant formal medication, it can certainly bring an additional measure of hope