Q: I have recently discovered that my Presbyterian baptism was invalid (improper matter—no flowing water). No investigation was done at the time of my conversion [to Catholicism], only a request for a baptismal certificate and so it was accepted by … Continue reading →
The post Why is This Method of Baptizing Illicit? appeared first on Canon Law Made Easy.
Q: I recently met a nice fellow, who wants to be catechist. I inquired a bit more into his faith life and learned that he attends Mass “at least once a month” that is not every Sunday, which shocked me. … Continue reading →
The post How Can You Get a Permanent Dispensation from Attending Sunday Mass? appeared first on Canon Law Made Easy.
Q: I witnessed a parish priest telling a parishioner not to attend prayer or assist at Mass at our parish, because he was “a distraction” to other parishioners, having what appear to be neurological seizures. Is a parish priest allowed … Continue reading →
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Q: My husband and I have a very difficult situation with our parish priest. He refused to allow our daughter to be baptized in 2013…. The Bishop declared that our baby should be baptized but the priest tried to delay things. The … Continue reading →
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Q: Many young ladies have approached me with this question: they were taught that a woman who breaks the 6th commandment with a Catholic priest, if she goes to confession to the priest, that her sins will never be forgiven and that … Continue reading →
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Q: I have recently become friends with someone who follows Sedevacantism. It has provided an opportunity for me to be challenged to more fully understand church teaching. Would you consider sharing your wisdom and expertise to explain why Sedevacantism is … Continue reading →
The post Can You Be Both a Catholic and a Sedevacantist? appeared first on Canon Law Made Easy.
Q1: My first husband and I were married in the Church but then we divorced. I later married again in a non-Catholic ceremony. My first husband just passed away. Does that mean my second marriage is now valid? –Carrie Q2: … Continue reading →
The post If My Ex-Spouse Dies, Does That Make My Second Marriage Valid? appeared first on Canon Law Made Easy.
Q: We recently lost our priest and the priest from another church was named the administrator. Now there is internal fighting on who reports to whom and who’s in charge. I think that the DRE [Director of Religious Education] is … Continue reading →
The post Who’s in Charge of the Parish When There’s No Parish Priest? appeared first on Canon Law Made Easy.
Q: Our parish priest (let’s call him Priest #1) retired, leaving the parish with a large amount of money before his retirement was announced. He volunteered to stay on as pastor emeritus and say some of the Masses at the … Continue reading →
The post Can the Pastor Expel Another Priest from the Rectory? appeared first on Canon Law Made Easy.
Q: Before my father passed away, he gave me a relic of the Holy Cross surrounded by gems, that he received many years ago from a religious sister, who obtained it from a cardinal. It has the original seal on … Continue reading →
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Q: A close friend of mine was baptized in an evangelical church, but he plans to become a Catholic. But he has not yet been officially received into the Catholic Church because his evangelical family disapproves. He’s been through RCIA, … Continue reading →
The post When Can a Non-Catholic Go to Confession? appeared first on Canon Law Made Easy.
Q1: Can parents have their infant/child baptized in a parish other than the one they regularly attend? –Linda Q2: For around 20 years we have rented homes at different places within the territory of X parish, and also outside the … Continue reading →
The post When Can We Have Our Child Baptized at a Different Parish? appeared first on Canon Law Made Easy.
Q1: Is it possible for a Catholic priest to assist at non-Catholic weddings? –Father N. Q2: My fiancé is a Catholic and I was baptized Catholic but raised Lutheran…. We opted to have both our wedding ceremony and reception at a … Continue reading →
The post Can a Catholic Priest Ever Officiate at a Non-Catholic Wedding? appeared first on Canon Law Made Easy.
Q: At a family reunion this summer, we learned that the priest who had married my cousin and her husband has been removed from the parish. He was accused of pedophilia or some other sexual impropriety… and he admitted it. … Continue reading →
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Q: What, if anything, does canon law say about fasting before receiving Holy Communion? It used to be that you had to fast since midnight of the night before; then it was three hours before, then one hour before, and … Continue reading →
The post How Has Canon Law Changed on Fasting Before Communion? appeared first on Canon Law Made Easy.
Q: Last week we visited a missionary priest’s organic farm…. It was Sunday and I told the priest that we were worried that we wouldn’t get to Mass that day, since the farm is far away from the nearest parish … Continue reading →
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Q: In theory, can a Pope commit heresy? If so, I’m trying to figure out who could declare that he was a heretic. What would happen? –Thomas A: This question had already been asked, before the September 24 announcement that … Continue reading →
The post Can a Pope Commit Heresy? (“Heresy” Defined) appeared first on Canon Law Made Easy.
Q: There are certain enumerated acts which trigger automatic, latae sententiae excommunication. Some of these acts could conceivably be performed by a Pope; for instance, it seems a Pope could help procure an abortion. Is it, then, theoretically possible for a Pope … Continue reading →
The post Could a Pope Ever Be Excommunicated? (“Excommunication” Defined) appeared first on Canon Law Made Easy.
Q: I want to try to get an annulment, but my ex-wife has already informed me that if I do, she will not cooperate with the marriage tribunal. She is taking this position out of spite, of course, because she … Continue reading →
The post Can I Get an Annulment If My Ex-Spouse Refuses to Cooperate? appeared first on Canon Law Made Easy.
Q: A coworker and friend needs help with a really tough question about canon law. This one has stumped some of the best canonists in our area. My friend is an Anglican who wants to convert to Catholicism badly. He … Continue reading →
The post Can You Become Catholic If You’re in an Irregular Marriage? appeared first on Canon Law Made Easy.