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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.
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Author Archives: Cathy Caridi
Holy Week in the Era of Coronavirus
Q: The pastor of my parish told me that your recent article is wrong. He says that both Cardinal Sarah [Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship] and Pope Francis approved of the bishops’ decision to cancel all Masses. The … Continue reading
Posted in Clergy Issues, Holy Mass, Parish Life, Rights of the Faithful
Tagged bishop, canon law, Catholic, Easter, Easter vigil, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Holy Thursday, holy week, Mass, Palm Sunday, priest
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Do Bishops Have the Authority to Cancel Masses Completely?
Q1: The Irish Bishops have decided to cancel all public Masses and have told us that we have a dispensation from Sunday Mass obligations as a result of the Coronavirus. Is this permissible? –Eileen Q2: As a follow up to … Continue reading
Posted in Clergy Issues, Holy Mass, Parish Life, Rights of the Faithful
Tagged bishop, cancel, canon law, Catholic, Mass, parish, priest
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Can We Be Required to Receive Communion in the Hand, Because of the Virus?
Q: The bishop of my diocese has decreed that because of the Coronavirus outbreak, we Catholics can only receive Communion in the hand, not on the tongue. Can he do that? –Kayla
Posted in Clergy Issues, Rights of the Faithful, Sacraments, The Eucharist
Tagged canon law, Catholic, Communion in the hand, Communion on the tongue, holy communion
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Can a Baby be Baptized During Lent?
Q: Many churches that I and my friends have gone to refuse to perform infant baptisms during Lent, but we know that Canon Law states that Catholic parents are required to have their children baptized within a few weeks of … Continue reading
Posted in Baptism, Parish Life, Sacraments
Tagged baptism, baptize, canon law, Catholic, Lent
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Why is This Method of Baptizing Invalid?
Q: A family member was recently baptized in a non-emergency manner, but the priest only said the words of baptism (form), while a layperson concurrently only poured the water (matter). Was the baptism valid? –Steve