Author Archives: canonlawmadeeasy

Can a Bishop Forbid a Priest to Say Mass?

Q: Some women in our diocese have started a prayer-group, and somehow they got on the wrong side of the bishop, who has told them privately to tone it down. Among other things, they wanted a priest who’s not from … Continue reading

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Does a Catholic Wedding Have to be Held in a Catholic Church?

Q: My daughter is getting married in June, to another Catholic. Our assistant pastor already agreed to perform the wedding, which will take place in our parish church. But now my daughter is thinking she’d rather have the wedding in … Continue reading

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Canon Law and Donations to the Church

Q: My elderly mother is thinking about making a big donation to the parish school, or maybe leaving it in her will. All of her children went there and some of her grandchildren. Lately they’ve been complaining that the school … Continue reading

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Canon Law and “Catholic” Organizations

Q1: How come the pro-abortion group “Catholics for Choice” gets away with calling itself a Catholic organization? Why doesn’t the Church stop it from using this name? —Dale Q2: There’s a school in our diocese that is run by Catholic … Continue reading

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Bishops, Archbishops, and Cardinals

Q: What’s the difference between a bishop and an archbishop? And why are some archbishops addressed as “Cardinal” but others aren’t? –Jackie A: On the surface, it certainly can seem that members of the Catholic hierarchy fill identical roles but … Continue reading

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