Questions Answered – June 2025

Does Sin Cause Natural Disasters?

Question: Dear Father Cush, according to Saint Thomas Aquinas and other Catholic theologians, are natural disasters caused by Original Sin?

Answer: What a great question! Let’s examine it thoroughly. According to St. Thomas Aquinas and Catholic theology, natural disasters are indirectly related to Original Sin, though they are not directly caused by it. Catholic theology teaches that before the Fall, creation was in a state of harmony and perfection. St. Thomas Aquinas explains in the Summa Theologiae (I, Q. 96, Art. 1) that in the original state of justice, humans had a harmonious relationship with God, themselves, others, and nature. This harmony included a kind of divine protection over humanity from suffering and physical harm, including natural disasters.

After the Fall, Original Sin disrupted the order God intended for creation. Aquinas teaches that Original Sin primarily affects humanity’s relationship with God and introduces disorder into human nature (e.g., concupiscence, suffering, and death). However, the disorder extends beyond humans to the broader creation. As Paul writes in Romans 8:20–22, creation itself was “subjected to futility” and “groans” as it awaits redemption.

Natural disasters, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods, are part of the natural processes of the world (e.g., plate tectonics, weather systems). They are not inherently evil but can cause suffering due to humanity’s vulnerability in a fallen state. Aquinas would argue that these events are not caused by sin in a direct sense but are consequences of a world no longer perfectly ordered under God’s original plan.

Catholic theology distinguishes between natural evil (e.g., natural disasters) and moral evil (sin caused by human free will). While natural disasters themselves are not a direct punishment for specific sins, human choices (e.g., environmental exploitation or lack of preparation) can exacerbate their effects, adding a moral dimension to the suffering caused by such events.

Catholic Soteriology emphasizes that Christ’s redemption extends not only to humanity but also to the whole of creation. As Aquinas and later theologians affirm, through Christ’s work, the effects of Original Sin, including disorder in nature, will ultimately be healed. In the new heavens and new earth (Revelation 21:1), the harmony between God, humanity, and creation will be fully restored.

So, are natural disasters caused by Original Sin? Indirectly, yes. Original Sin introduced disorder into the world, which allows for suffering and death, including through natural disasters. Are they punishments for sin? Generally, no. The Church does not teach that specific natural disasters are direct punishments for specific sins. Instead, they are part of the fallen condition of creation. Why is this important? This understanding helps balance the theological perspective that God is not the direct cause of suffering, while recognizing humanity’s hope for ultimate restoration through Christ.

Priests’ Appearance: Rules and Customs

Question Two: Dear Fr. Cush, I noticed in your new picture, you grew a beard! I thought you were a diocesan priest and that it was not permitted. My question is twofold: Can Latin Rite Catholic priests have beards? Do Eastern Catholic priests have to have beards? Do Catholic priests have to wear black clerical shirts in the U.S.A.? Why are there clerical shirts worn by Catholic priests that are white, gray, or blue? Are there any official documentation from the Vatican, the Diocese of Rome, or the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops?

Thanks for noticing the new picture! Well, the questions regarding Catholic clerical attire and grooming customs involve a combination of canon law, cultural traditions, and pastoral practice. Yes, Latin Rite priests can have beards. There is no universal Church law requiring Latin Rite priests to be clean-shaven. Historically, the Roman tradition favored clean-shaven priests as a sign of Roman identity and clerical discipline, particularly during the Counter-Reformation. Today, this is largely a matter of personal choice, cultural context, or adherence to local customs. For example, some priests may grow beards as a personal preference or as a connection to patristic or monastic traditions.

As for Eastern Catholic priests, they are not strictly required to have beards, but it is customary. The tradition of priests in Eastern Catholic Churches wearing beards stems from their connection to Orthodox Christian traditions, where beards are often seen as a sign of masculinity, asceticism, and clerical dignity. While many Eastern Catholic priests choose to follow this tradition, it is not universally mandated by canon law.

Now on to your second question! It is one that gets asked in the summer months a bit! In the U.S.A., Catholic priests are generally expected to wear black clerical attire, but there is some flexibility.

Alternative colors are typically permitted for pastoral or regional reasons. White clerical shirts are common in tropical or warmer climates, where black attire is impractical due to heat. Gray or blue clerical shirts may be used to distinguish a priest engaged in specific pastoral work or a particular religious community. These variations are often practical adaptations rather than deviations from Church law.

There are official documents governing these practices?, but they are not universally specific. The Code of Canon Law (Canon 284) states: “Clerics are to wear suitable ecclesiastical garb according to the norms issued by the conference of bishops and according to legitimate local customs.”

The USCCB has issued guidelines emphasizing black clerical attire but allows for regional or pastoral adaptations. The USCCB has provided complementary norms for Canon 284, specifying: “Outside liturgical functions, a black suit and Roman collar are the usual attire for priests. The use of the cassock is at the discretion of the cleric.”

Local dioceses may have specific dress codes for their clergy. For instance, some dioceses might require black attire for formal occasions but allow flexibility in less formal settings. The Archdiocese of New York, where I currently serve, emphasizes: “All priests . . . serving in the archdiocese are expected to always wear clerical attire or religious habit when engaged in ministry. It is this apparel (black suit and Roman collar) that most identifies a priest . . .”

While specific universal mandates on clerical attire colors are not detailed, the Vatican emphasizes that clerical dress should reflect the dignity and sacredness of the priestly office. In the Diocese of Rome, norms approved by Pope Saint John Paul II state that cardinals and bishops should wear the cassock during office hours, while priests and monsignors may choose between the cassock or clerical dress. To be honest, in the ten years I lived in Rome as a priest, most clergy who worked in the Vatican wore clerical shirts of various colors, usually black or gray, with a black suit, and only a very small minority wore a cassock daily.