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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When Does a Custom Have the Force of Law?

Posted on February 20, 2025 by Cathy Caridi

Q1: When the bishop in a diocese allows the faithful to receive Communion in the hand or on the tongue, can a priest, who objects on the grounds of conscience, refuse to give the faithful holy Communion in the hand?  Could a religious community or shrine just establish a custom of only receiving on the tongue?  –Fr. M.

Q2: Some parishes have been training their altar servers to do things I consider strange. They do so on the grounds that “that’s how we do things here.”  For example, they train altar servers to fill the lavabo with water before Mass and bring the bowl to the priest rather than pouring the water over the priest’s hands into an empty bowl.  This requires altar servers to carry around a sloshing bowl from the credence table to the priest at the altar….

My question: if parishes have been doing things like this for over 30 years, does that mean that they are now considered customs, and no pastor can change them?  Are we stuck with them for eternity? –Stan Continue reading →

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