Topic: What does the Catholic Church think about marijuana and other illegal drugs and drinking underage?

Date originally posted: November 6, 2002

Source of this posting: Moderator response to emailed question

Moderator who originally posted this source: Al Dash

Question: What does the Catholic Church think about marijuana and other illegal drugs and drinking underage? Can someone become a priest if they are no longer a virgin but begin living a celebate lifestyle?

Answer: 

Adam,

Thanks for your questions. I'll do the last one first!

God calls who God wants to call for priesthood or for any other ministry in the church! We have in the church today priests who have in the past been married ... and there are many examples among the saints of those whose past lives weren't exactly in conformity w/ the gospels. Take St. Augustine for example. Before his conversion we know that he had a mistress and fathered at least one child. As Bishop of Hippo he was noted for his intellectual abilities and great spiritual insight.

As for illegal drugs: the "Catechism of the Catholic Church" says that "the use of drugs inflicts very grave damage on human health and life. Their use, except on strictly therapeutic grounds, is a grave offense."

One of the great gifts God gives to us is the gift of free well. The purpose of using such drugs seems to be primarily to get a buzz ... to get high which results in the diminishment of that free will. Hardly an appropriate response to that gift!

Al Dash
ajdash@unity.ncsu.edu
Raleigh, NC