The Catholic bulletin., 1919-11-01
Is it dogma of our faith that we
have Guardian Angels?

Is it dogma of our faith that we
have Guardian Angels?
The Church has not made any def
inition covering the popular belief
about Guardian Angels. That each of
us has a Guardian Angel may be gath
cred from the Sacred Scriptures, from
the writings OF the Fathers ana the
prayers that aIo approved by the
Church.
Is I sAarriage between a Catholic
man and a non-CathoIic divorced
wons3n considered binding by the
Catholic Church?
The Catholic Church considers the
marriage of non-Catholics among
themselves as binding, Hence, geneT-
ally speaking, d Catholic is not per
mitted to marry divorced person
who is even a non-Catholic. II speak
ing OF definite care it is impossible
10 give a correct answer to a general
question Of this kind. since there are
various circumstances that may en-
ter the solution CT the query. Thus,
for example, there may have been
flaw III the marriage Of the so-called
divorced person. Again, the non-Cath-
olic may not have been baptized, and
it is quite possible that there may be
case Coz the use OF the Pauline privi-
lege.
Is the first name of Mr.. Dc Valera
Eamon or Edward?
His first name is Edward, though
usually the Irish equivalent, Eamon. is
used in speaking OF the Irish presi-
dent.
If one is obliged to make re stitution,
but does not know to whom the re5ti-
tuition should be made, what should
that person do?
He should make restitution to
Gods poor. We are not permitted to
Keep what does not belong. to US. If
we are aware that the article, or
money belongs to another. we are
obliged to restore it to the owner; if
we are doubtful to whom the article
belongs, or where the owner may be
found, we must make effort to discov-
er his person and his whereabouts if
those efforts fail, we are bound to
some pi0u8 cause.
How much should the value of an
article be before you are obliged to
mako restitution?
We are always Obliged to make res
titution in so far, at least, as the value
of the stolen article is concerned.
The obligation OF restitution is grave
one in itself, for the natural law de-
mandS that we should give to every
man what belongs to him. But just
as the sin Of theft may be mortal or
Venial, SO the obligation Of restitution
maybe grave or slight; that is, we
may be obliged under the pain of NOR
tai sin to make restitution, or we NAV
be obliged merely under the pain Of
Venial sin, but the obligation, as far
as the theft is concerned, is always
present. The small value of the arti-
Gle stolen, or the slight culpability of
our act, may affect the seriousness of
our obligation to restitution; it does
not destroy that obligation PAY
what thou owest," is the precept of
Christ. Gods command in the Old
Law still remains in force: "If any
man hurt a field or a vineyard, he
shall restore according to the esttma-
tion of the damage" exodus XIII
d. 1t is not, of course. required that
the thief defame himself in making
restjtution; it is not necessary that
the owner be aware that the stolen
goods have been returned; the resti-
tuition may be made surreptitiously.
1T should be made as soon as possible
after the theft. and it is sin to defer
restitution without cause If one can
not make the entire restitution at one
time, he is obliged to do so by de-
2rees until the whole has been re-
stored.