What’s Required for a Valid Ordination?

Posted on June 19, 2025 by Cathy Caridi

Q1.  Can a deacon be ordained to the priesthood, less than six months after his ordination to the diaconate?  For example, a congregation or diocese is urgently in need of priests, can their ordinary actually anticipate it and release an indult? — Rafael

Q2.  This may be the silliest question you have ever been asked.  Canon 1039 says that all candidates for ordination must make a retreat for at least five days, and the bishop must verify that the candidates have made this retreat before ordaining them.  But can a bishop dispense with Canon 1039 and allow for less than the 5-day retreat prior to Ordination of Candidates? —William Continue reading →

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Addiction and Marriage Validity

Posted on June 5, 2025 by Cathy Caridi

Q: Can alcoholism, or some other addiction, invalidate a Catholic marriage?

I’m asking this question because my divorced daughter is starting the annulment process.  She spoke with someone at the marriage tribunal, who I gather is expected to help her submit her documentation, and that person got fixated on her ex-husband’s drinking problems.

I am absolutely certain that even though my ex-son-in-law does have a serious problem with alcohol, at their wedding he was totally sober.  He knew what he was saying when he said his vows.  My husband and I were standing right there and if he had been incapacitated we would have instantly known.

… I’m very concerned that officials in our diocese may be handing out annulments like candy, inventing unsound reasons to give my daughter what she wants even if it isn’t legally justifiable.… –Kim Continue reading →

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When Can One Priest Validly Delegate Another to Celebrate a Wedding?

Posted on May 22, 2025 by Cathy Caridi

Q:  If a pastor grants general delegation to a parochial vicar to assist at marriages within the parish, does the parochial vicar have the authority to subdelegate this power to another priest or deacon to witness a specific marriage, or is subdelegation prohibited unless explicitly permitted by the pastor?

… Additionally, is it permissible for a subdelegated priest or deacon to further subdelegate this power, and under what conditions?  –James Continue reading →

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The Validity of the Upcoming Conclave

Posted on May 5, 2025 by Cathy Caridi

Q:  Perhaps you could offer some insight on the issue of the maximum number of electors allowed in a Papal Conclave.  It seems clear from the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominci Gregis that the maximum number of electors is 120.

Yet, the current number of “eligible” Cardinals is above that number.  What does it mean for the validity of a Papal Election if more than 120 electors actually cast votes? —Mark   Continue reading →

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Did Pope Francis Already Write a Resignation Letter?

Posted on February 27, 2025 by Cathy Caridi

Q:  In light of the Holy Father’s present illness, I found an article online which was written a few years ago.  It says that Pope Francis told an interviewer in 2013 that he had already written a resignation letter and given it to a Cardinal.  The Pope said it was meant to be used “in case of impediment for medical reasons or whatever else I don’t know, here is my resignation.”

I then looked up what you had written about a pope being removed because he was incapacitated.  You indicated that this cannot be done legally, because nobody has authority to remove the Pope.  So this seems to directly contradict what Pope Francis allegedly intended.

Can you tell me your analysis of this?  If Pope Francis wrote a letter of resignation in 2013, could it be used if he was incapacitated?  And if he wrote a resignation without the intent of resigning in 2013, could it mean that he actually did resign in 2013?  (I doubt this but just wanted your view of this.) –Maria Continue reading →

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