-
Canon lawyers are not responsible for the content of canon law. The Supreme Legislator is. Only Pope Francis can change the Code of Canon Law, so if you're not happy with what the law says, please take it up with him.
- Now available in paperback!
Tag Archives: sacrament
Repost: Is Confession Still an Easter Duty?
(This was written some time ago, but since it has become incredibly popular during the Lenten season, it seems worthwhile to bring it to readers’ attention once again. Note that declarations of a “pandemic” do not eliminate the clergy’s responsibility … Continue reading
Posted in Confession, Parish Life, Sacraments
Tagged canon law, Catholic, confession, Easter duty, holy communion, penance, sacrament
Comments Off on Repost: Is Confession Still an Easter Duty?
Refusing First Holy Communion to Children Who Are Ill-Prepared
Q: I am a volunteer in our parish’s catechism program, and I help run the First Holy Communion preparation…. As has unfortunately become very common, we get a LOT of uncatechized children and an ever-increasing number of uncatechized parents in … Continue reading
Posted in Parish Life, Rights of the Faithful, Sacraments, The Eucharist
Tagged canon law, Catholic, First Communion, First Holy Communion, properly disposed, sacrament
Comments Off on Refusing First Holy Communion to Children Who Are Ill-Prepared
Ecclesia Supplet: Making Invalid Sacraments Valid
Q: You mentioned in “Invalid Baptisms and Unaccountable Clergy” that when Father Hood [of the Archdiocese of Detroit, Michigan] discovered that his own baptism was invalid and he was not a priest, that meant all the weddings, confirmations, and anointing … Continue reading
Posted in Annointing of the Sick, Baptism, Confirmation, Sacraments
Tagged canon law, Catholic, Ecclesia supplet, sacrament, valid, validity
Comments Off on Ecclesia Supplet: Making Invalid Sacraments Valid
Can I Make My Confession Over the Phone?
Q: My question is regarding the Sacrament of Confession by phone. I have always taught that the Sacrament of Confession requires physical presence. I wanted to look up the specific requirement and how “physical presence” is described by the Church, … Continue reading
Posted in Confession, Sacraments
Tagged canon law, Catholic, confession, penance, phone, sacrament, telephone, valid
Comments Off on Can I Make My Confession Over the Phone?
When Can You Get a Dispensation, and Who Can Grant It?
Q1: I have a question regarding St. Patrick’s Day (March 17), when it falls on a Friday in Lent. A friend says that although a dispensation may or may not be given, one may dispense oneself due to the fact … Continue reading
Posted in Other Canonical Questions, Parish Life, Sacraments
Tagged canon law, Catholic, dispensation, sacrament
Comments Off on When Can You Get a Dispensation, and Who Can Grant It?