The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1921-04-16
May first cousins be married if their
mothers are haIf-sisters?


The Catholic Church does not rec
ognize complete divorce either be-
tween Catholics or non-Catholics;
where this takes place she refuses to
sanction second marriage during the
life of the other party. At the same
time, since both parties We're unbap-
tiled, if one of them becomes a Cath
Ollie there may be possible an applica-
ton of the Pauline privilege.
If baptized non-CathoIic and an
unbaptized person were married and
then divorced could the baptized per-
son become Catholic and then marry
again?
No.
If person thinks that he was hap-
tized, but is informed by one of his
parents that he never was baptized,
what should he do?
He should explain his doubts to a
priest who will baptize him condition
ally if he considers it necessary.
Are the following names of Saints:
Carol, lone, Geneva, Minerva?
Carol may be form of Charles,
from the Latin, CaroluS, or of Caro-
line, which is the feminine form OF
Charles. lone, or Iona, was martyr
of Ethiopia, feast November "a. Gene
va is probably form of the name,
Genevieve, virgin of Paris whose
feast is recalled January ). Minerva
was the name of virgin martyr OF
Rome who died October %.
In what part of Canada is the shrine
of st. Anne? Is the shrine open for
piIgrimages throughout the year?
The shrine of St Anne is situated in
the village of Beaupre, about Il miles
from Quebec. A railroad runs from
Quebec to Beaupre. Pilgrimages take
place during the whole year. although
the larger ones occur in the month OF
July, leading up to the feast of the
Saint which falls on July 2G.
Why can | not choose my own re-
Iigion?
You cannot choose your own rellg-
ion simply because you are reason
able creature, made or formed from
nothing by God the Creator of heaven
and earth and of all things. God is
not only your Creator but as such He
is your Supreme Lord and Master Who
preserves you in your existence. This
same God made you a reasonable crea-
ture, to know Him, to love Him and
to serve Him in this world, and to be
happy with Him for ever in the next.
You are not at liberty to choose your
own religion because you are in duty
bound to worship God not as you
choose but as God wills and commands
you.
Can be a Christian and not belong
to any Church?
A Christian is one who processes
and follows the religion of Christ
for Christ said of Himself: Il am the
way and the truth and the life" John
1876. Il am the light of the world;
he that followeth Me walketh not in
darkness, but shall have the light of
life" John S:12 Our Lord teaches us
to what extent we must follow Him,
saying to His disciples: IF any man
will come after Me, let him deny him
self and take up his cross and follow
Me" From the revealed Word OF God
and from the history of religion it can
be shown to evidence that the one
true religion, established by Christ, is
found in the Catholic Church alone. 1t
follows then necessarily that all are
in duty bound to belong to the Catho-
lie Church and that one cannot be a
Christian without belonging to the
One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic
Church.
Is it not true that priests charge
money for forgiving sins in confess
sion?
It is not true, but a calumny due
either to ignorance or malice. TO
charge money for forgiving sins in con-
fession would be the grievous sin of
simony We read in Holy Writ (Acts
S:1S-20) "And when Simon saw that
by the imposition of the HANDS of the
Apostles, the Holy Ghost was given,
he offered them money, saying: Give
me also this power, that on whomso-
ever | shall lay my hands he may re-
ceive the Holy Ghost But Peter said
to him: Keep thy money to thyself,
to perish with thee, because thou hast
thought that the gift of God may be
purchased with money"
Are there not some claiming to be
Catholics who are only so in name
Why are they not turned oHt?
Yes. there are, sad to say, not lew
claiming to be Catholics who are only
SO in name. There is nothing strange
in this. ST. Paul writing to his discl
pie, Timothy, expressly states: Know
also this that in the last days shall
come dangerous times, men shall be
lovers of themselves. lovers of pleas
ure more than of God: having an ap
pearance indeed of godliness, but de
nying the power thereof. " Tim
3:1-5.
Why are they not turned out?. Oul
Lord Himself gives the answer in the
parable of the sower and the cookie
When the servants said togthe sower:
s.Wilt thou that we go and gather II
StI,o ooolylol He said