Catholic Q & A: All You Want to Know about Catholicism - Real Questions by Real People

I subscribe to a Catholic diocesan newspaper only because Father John Dietzen's column with questons and answers is published every second week. Most of the newspaper contains articles telling us to be good and love one another--the same stuff I have heard since childhood. However, Father Dietzen's columns ALWAYS provide supporting documentation from Scripture, Tradition, Canon Law, the Magisterium, history, etc. His answers are never just pious opinions and recommendations, as in a sermon or homily, given without explicit reasons to back them up. His documentation is what makes his writings valuable and a real learning experience that facilitates moral and spiritual growth. His book is a collection of such questions and answers.

Now in a newly updated edition, Catholic Q & A: Answers to the Most Common Questions About Catholicism by Fr. John J. Dietzen is an award-winning repository of Catholic belief, practice, worship, and viewpoints. Written in plain terms accessible to readers of all backgrounds, Catholic Q & A covers ubiquitous questions about how Catholics view the Bible, the Church, Mass, Holy Communion, baptism and confirmation, marriage and family living, divorce/annulment/remarriage, penance, devotions, saints, burial practices, and more. "Marriage vows are meant to be kept. But if the spouse is brutally and destructively abusive, part of keeping those vows is to do whatever is possible to end the circumstances that make the abuse possible. If removing herself and the children is the only way to take one's spouse out of an atmosphere that is destroying him and everyone else, the other spouse is being faithful, not unfaithful, to his or her marriage vows by following this course." An excellent introduction to modern-day Catholicism especially recommended for friends or would-be spouses of Catholics as well as lay Catholics themselves.

This is a great resource in any Catholic's home. Fr. Dietzen's compilation of questions and answers go across the board. The book addresses issues of marriage and divorce, abortion, extra-terrestial life, sexual orientation and of course, celibacy. Actually, that's just a sampling of the many topics covered in this book. I'm a dyed-in-the-wool Catholic with hundreds of years of ancestors behind me but questions still pop in my mind. Fr. Dietzen's responses are enlightening and succint. He is polite and honest, good qualities in a priest. Some may say the book is soft but what's wrong with that? It is a gentle approach and refreshing as opposed to the in-your-face communication that is now rampant in the world. I love this book and if another one comes out, I'll surely buy it. It's like having your parish priest right beside you.

Barr and Phillips, two other reviewers, are both correct in the assessment that the book is a bit soft. For those who are struggling this is a nice feather bed; however, for those who are strongly convinced about the teachings of the Church will find the responses lack the "justness" of God. The book is theologically correct, but one should note that most priests in fact are overworked and tend to support the active faithful flock in front of them, not the half hearted non attending luke warm Catholic who shows up for sacramental activities (infant baptism, marriage, etc) and fades away quickly once done. Thus the section on Marriage is correct and orthodox, and some priests may provide great comfort and be "flexible" as cannon law allows. In reality, in most of the parishes I have been in, the priests are hardly able to accommodate the needs of the faithful weekly attendees, let alone the half hearted so the bulletins will have statements that say, things like sacramental marriages in the church are preformed for those who are active practicing Catholics, and have to be arranged one year in advance of the date of marriage. Most of the answers are like these, and practice doesn't always marry up to teachings, and the author points this out very pleasantly. Overall the book is a gentle read, very well written. Excellent gift for a new Catholic, or someone you know in an RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) class, who is preparing for baptism, confirmation or who is returning to the Church after a long absence.

If you are a self-righteous "they're doing something wrong and I'm gonna tell" type, this is not the book for you. On the other hand, if you actually remember the teachings of Jesus on mercy, compassion, judging not and forgiveness, then you will love Dietzen's book. As he says in one chapter,there seem to be a lot of "christians" who are overly eager to point out the failings of others hoping, it seems, to see some sort of punishment exacted. The same type of folks who'd enjoy a public hanging I'm guessing. Anyway, this book is a great aid in dealing with such people and in helping to avoid becoming one yourself.