Priests and Smoking

[quiet52]

I believe a habitual smoking habit is sinful, and is therefore a hinderence to holyness. My own sinful habits, like my short temper, are a hinderance to holyness in my life. Why be offended? I dont mean to offend. I never rejected the man. I am becoming quite close with him. I just wanted to know how others felt. I just came into the church this past easter so this is a new scenario for me. I disagree with leaving the parish. I dont think it is that big of a deal that he smokes. I think he is a great priest and very needed in this community. I do think it is wrong and not a “moral neutral” though. I disagree with those who have a problem with him having a sinful habit because we are called to love the sinner. If we turn away from them we are failing to live the gospel.

Good post, Murray. Whatever we do, we’re either doing for the glory of God, or we’re not. Smoking is not an act of giving glory to God, so it is an obstacle to holiness. The act of smoking is an act of yielding to something not good – to temptation. Your pastor’s craving to smoke is a thorn in his side – a weakness that in itself isn’t a sin. Imagine all the victories over the craving, when he didn’t light up. St. Paul wrote he had a thorn in his side – a weakness – that tempted him to sin. He wrote we’re called to perfection, but that it takes work.

Because smoking is an addiction, it’s unlikely that each time he reaches for a cigarette your pastor thinks “I’m going to consciously and purposefully hurt myself now.” In other words, it may be a venial sin, rather than a mortal one.

Please keep loving your pastor – he’s blessed to have your unconditional love.

 

[Lainey63]

Smoking cigarettes is not a sin. Smoking crack is.

 

[JMJ_coder]

Besides the fact that only a moron doesn’t know today that tobacco is life-threateningly unhealthy there is the fact of addiction.

Virtually no one smokes who is not addicted to some degree to tobacco. It is the addiction (even more than the ultra slo-mo suicide attempt) that is more spiritually deadly, in my opinion.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Besides the fact that only a moron doesn’t know today that tobacco is life-threateningly unhealthy there is the fact of addiction.

Virtually no one smokes who is not addicted to some degree to tobacco. It is the addiction (even more than the ultra slo-mo suicide attempt) that is more spiritually deadly, in my opinion.

And addiction lessens the moral culpability of the individual who is addicted as their ability to consent is compromised.

But no one has proved that smoking is a sin. I know people who only smoke when they are driving a long distance or when they are at the bar for a night out.

Are they “addicted” or are they “sinning”?

 

[kage_ar]

Please, post the Catechism citation, official declaration of the Church or Scripture that says smoking is a sin. Until you can find that, smoking is just like that cheeseburger or bottle of wine or video game or sexual intercourse - morally neutral.

 

[SMHW]

SMOKING IS NOT A SIN.

If someone feels smoking is a sin that is not enough to make it a sin for either the person who feels that way or for anyone else. Feelings are not as important as objective reallity. Many protestant and non-denominational Christians think and feel that drinking alcohol is a sin but that doesn’t make drinking alcohol a sin in and of itself. Excessive smoking, drinking, eating, etc. can be sinful but as kage_ar mentioned earlier, the actions themselves are morally neutral.

Now, obviously you won’t get very far telling your fellow parishioners that they need to just stuff their feelings because they are disordered. But you can certainly pray for your priest and support him yourself.

For what it’s worth I can’t stand cigarette smoke and am glad I live in state where public smoking is practically non-existant. Feelings make bad law. I think that my state has gone way overboard and is making laws about what should be matters of politeness. (When and where someone smokes is a matter of politeness.) And it shouldn’t be illegal to be rude.

 

[dconklin]

Unless he is smoking on the altar, there is no reason to worry. Does he use incense a lot?

 

[dashso40]

What? He’s not human?..None of those people who are leaving the parish are not sinners?..I’m sure the priest knows what he’s doing is bad for him, but unless he’s blowing smoke up on the alter, there is no reason to leave…It’ cigarettes, not crack…

 

[EasterJoy]

We just got a new priest at our parish. I think he is doing a wonderful job so far. He is challengeing the church in many ways and encouraging stronger prayer and community and outreach. However he smokes and some are so bothered by this they want to switch parishes. I feel that it is no worse for him to have a weakness that is easily seen by public than one that is not. We all have weaknesses. Others say Protestant churches will look down on us more because he is the lead example for our community and that he needs to set a better example for us to lead us into a deeper holiness. I am unsure how to react. Any advice would be great.

You don’t have a problem with it; great. You have someone you think is an outstanding pastor who has a few weaknesses that are none of your business. You are in good shape.

Others in the parish have a problem with him. Well, they can change parishes, if they think his weaknesses outweigh his obvious strengths. They can change parishes because they don’t like the way he parts his hair, if they like. That’s their worry. If they ask what you plan on doing, you can tell them. Then you may peacefully let the subject drop.

As for the gossip and criticism of others that takes place in your presence, you can point out to the discussion leaders that they are not talking to the one person who is capable of changing whatever it is that bothers them. You might even hope out loud that they would bring any faults you have to your attention discretely, rather than openly discussing them behind your back. Unless the subject is a serious objective moral fault that has been brought to the attention of a fellow believer to no avail, and help is legitimately needed to talk to the person about it as a group, it is no one’s business to discuss it otherwise.

If you have decided some issue with another believer is not, objectively speaking, a serious moral fault, the others will have to look elsewhere to form their posse. Only the pastor (or his deputy) has to concern himself with correcting a posse of correctors, the poor man. Your pastor will undoubtedly consider himself in your debt, if he finds you have decided to stay well out of these things, particularly when he himself is the putative offender.

As for the smaller faults, it is a fine habit to be able to share one’s own struggles with others, to have someone to ask for counsel and encouragement. When we are not approached for help, though, it is well to avoid correcting those over whom we have no authority.

For the authority we have not been given, let us give thanks, and may the Lord give abundant grace to the poor souls who have it.

 

[Murray1105]

Please, post the Catechism citation, official declaration of the Church or Scripture that says smoking is a sin. Until you can find that, smoking is just like that cheeseburger or bottle of wine or video game or sexual intercourse - morally neutral.

I already stated that to have a cigarette or cheeseburger or drink is not a sin by itself but to abuse them and over indulge so that it has a negative effect on you or others is.

Catechism of the Catholic Church
2290 The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine. Those incur grave guilt who, by drunkenness or a love of speed, endanger their own and others’ safety on the road, at sea, or in the air.

 

[Charlotte408]

Oh well I have something to say…

Why IS it okay for them to smoke?

no really, think about it…

They dont smoke, say, marijuana right?? Isnt it a sin to do drugs?? I mean your body is your temple right?? I know someones gonna say, ‘oh well cigarettes are legal’ … yeah… by ‘mans law’… but a cigarette is JUST as deadly as a lot of other drugs that are illegal. And what about in countries where marijuana IS legal? If your ground for them being able to smoke is legality, then assuming drugs were legal they should be able to par-take in them as well.

I would think that cigarettes would contaminate the purity of your temple (body) just as any drug would. And if thats a sin, to do drugs, then the priest/pastor whatever, would have to confess it right?? They have to confess too right??

I know for a fact that if you commit a sin over and over again, the priest can withhold absolution, until he feels that you truly repented…and they might even give the sinner some type of penance or met certain conditions to be met to acheive absolution…so…if the priest smokes, is KNOWS hes smoking and that is wrong, isnt that the same as any menial sin that someone KNOWS they are committing, without the intent to stop?? I mean, if he was in the process of quitting, than thats one thing…but to smoke, and openly smoke…

i dont knoooooowwww

 

[kage_ar]

Oh well I have something to say…

Why IS it okay for them to smoke?

no really, think about it…

They dont smoke, say, marijuana right?? Isnt it a sin to do drugs?? I mean your body is your temple right?? :

In and of itself, marijuana is not a sin. To be intoxicated to the point of not being able to control your actions is a sin, it does not matter if that intoxication comes from wine or vodka or marijuana or mushrooms or the valium your doctor perscribed. As long as these things are used in MODERATION, there is no sin.

Tobacco is not as sin in and of itself, now, as the CCC says to overindulge in tobacco can be a sin, just like it is a sin to overindulge in wine or food or cheeseburgers.

 

[Tosk]

I say leave him in peace.

I have several good friends who are priests and if I had to deal with half the BS they see in their jobs from all us crazy catholics I would smoke too.

 

[BernadetteM]

I was just going to ask if the OP was a convert from the protestant church. He/she stated that they were a convert. This might explain much of what he/she feels about smoking and drinking. Some protestant sects consider smoking, drinking, playing cards and dancing sinful, etc. Also that he/she was addicted at one time but now is not. Well there are many people with addictions who are clean and sober for 20, 30 years or more and then for some reason go right back to where they were. Let us not boast of what we perceive as overcoming our faults or illnesses and start condemning those who have not been given the graces to overcome. Pride goes before a fall.

I remember as a young girl going to a church with the above beliefs. It is funny because their elders were smoking, drinking and committing sexual sins in secret. My friend would tell me of all the goings on in her church, in small churches nothing is really a secret, but people ignore what is going on and I don’t know why.

Smoking is not a sin, if it is show me in the bible. Drinking is not a sin, Jesus himself was called a drunkard. Yes smoking is bad for your health and if you have the disease of alcoholism it can kill you. Alcoholism is proven to be a disease, so you can compare it to cancer or other diseases. Some alcoholics can stop drinking with much help, others cannot. God in his mercy understands this. There is mental illness, is this also a sin? Due to mental illness people do sinful acts, they cannot always control themselves.

Protestants love to say the Catholic Church is legalistic, I find that many protestant sects are much more legalistic than the Church.

Overweight people are sinning too if smoking is a sin. Being overweight is very bad for your health and can kill you. Of course there are many who are overweight due to genetics. If we want we can go on and on about all the things that humans in their own minds create as sinful.

I see behaviors everyday of people whom I think should change their ways. They are judgemental, they are opinionated and are always right. They have no charity for others, it could be many behaviors that I find offensive and if I choose can consider it a sin.

I am tired of such judgemental people, they should remember what our Lord said about judgement. You will be judged as you judge others. I admit that at times I judge others, but God has opened up my heart and helped me to understand that there could be reasons for behaviors I don’t find acceptable.

I think people who judge others are the ones who won’t look into their own souls and find the sin that is there, they would rather find the plank in someone elses eye than their own.

Yours in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary

Bernadette

 

[Charlotte408]

In and of itself, marijuana is not a sin. To be intoxicated to the point of not being able to control your actions is a sin, it does not matter if that intoxication comes from wine or vodka or marijuana or mushrooms or the valium your doctor perscribed. As long as these things are used in MODERATION, there is no sin.

Tobacco is not as sin in and of itself, now, as the CCC says to overindulge in tobacco can be a sin, just like it is a sin to overindulge in wine or food or cheeseburgers.

Everyone else missed…but this one hit it right on the nail…and with this info…I can leave the subject be lol

 

[Bluegoat]

Smoking can be a sin. Who is in a position to know if an individuals smoking is a sin? Usually the individual.

Perhaps having such a visible bad habit helps keep him humble, and contributes to his ability to be a good priest. In any case, it is between him and his confessor, unless he is stealing money to pay for his habit or going secretly into babies bedrooms and lighting up.

 

[Murray1105]

I was just going to ask if the OP was a convert from the protestant church. He/she stated that they were a convert. This might explain much of what he/she feels about smoking and drinking. Some protestant sects consider smoking, drinking, playing cards and dancing sinful, etc. Also that he/she was addicted at one time but now is not. Well there are many people with addictions who are clean and sober for 20, 30 years or more and then for some reason go right back to where they were. Let us not boast of what we perceive as overcoming our faults or illnesses and start condemning those who have not been given the graces to overcome. Pride goes before a fall.

Smoking is not a sin, if it is show me in the bible.

Bernadette

I don’t feel I am being unjust in asking how others felt about the subject or in saying that it is sinful (since the CCC says it is) while supporting him as our new priest. I respect that his fault is more visible to the eye than another persons fault. As far as calling it a sin, I dont sugarcoat sin. When I sin if someone says hey that was wrong/sinful they are not being judgemental they are helping correct my sinfulness and helping me to become the saint I need to be. If we ignore and make excuses for sin we arent making saints but sinners. As far in the bible I was not aware that we have switched to “sola scriptura” so since the bible does not explicitly say abortion is sinful or invitro fertilization those must be aceptable now also? Everything in the Bible is true, Not everything that is true is in the bible.

 

[NoWhereMan]

Think of it this way: God wants us to take care of ourselves, right? We were created in His image and likeness, after all. When people smoke they are hurting their body a little bit at a time. Smoking, I would consider, a weakness since many people become addicted and have a hard time of quiting.
The good news is: God helps us overcome our weaknesses and focus more on our strengths. Your priest sounds like he has many strengths to make up for his smoking problem (weakness). My priest used to smoke and one day quit cold turkey; he coughs a lot at Mass to show for the years he was addicted.
But like I said, since everyone is facing their own battle, we should focus on the strengths and not the weaknesses.

Hope I helped in some way!

Maybe the parishioners drove him to smoke, as you know, some of them drink too

 

[m134e5]

It’s been proven many times that it’s unhealthy to smoke cigarettes. Studies have also shown that children of parents who smoke are more likely to smoke- and I imagine a parish priest could certainly be an influence on that as well. Cigarette smoke stinks, and smokers regularly havve bad-sounding coughs. Cigarettes can be a fire hazard, and they waste money that could go to more wholesome things.

This doesn’t mean people who smoke are bad people, but it’s a bad habit. It’s also a difficult one for some people to quit- and for some, it’s just not worth the effort- they have bigger things to worry about. There are also some who do it who really enjoy it (though I can’t understand for the life of me why anyone would). I would not avoid the priest because of it (one of my favorite confessors and homilists smokes- I’m really thankful to have him in my life…it’s also kind of nice to be able to tell he’s the priest in the confessional before I go in there).

 

[DominicVobiscum]

The priest is doing nothing more than exhibiting an unhealthful personal habit. He is not committing a sin (unless he breaks some rule and smokes someplace he is not allowed).

If someone is offended by his smoking, you may wish to consider asking him to not smoking in public areas on church grounds.