-
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!
Author Archives: Cathy Caridi
Excommunication and the Seal of Confession (Sanctions, Part VI)
Q: My question relates to the seal of the confessional because I am wondering if I broke it. I know I acted imprudently, but whether or not I broke it is somewhat unclear to me…. I was hearing confessions and … Continue reading
Posted in Confession, Crimes and Sanctions, Sacraments
Tagged canon law, Catholic, sacramental seal, seal of confession
Comments Off on Excommunication and the Seal of Confession (Sanctions, Part VI)
Limiting Diocesan Bishops’ Authority: Recent Decrees From Pope Francis
Q: I would like to ask a question about diocesan bishops and episcopal authority, but I don’t know how to formulate it. I hope you’ll bear patiently with me, there’s a confused jumble of ideas in my head! These ideas … Continue reading
Posted in Clergy Issues, The Pope
Tagged bishop, canon law, Catholic, diocesan bishop, Episcopal, Fiducia Supplicans
Comments Off on Limiting Diocesan Bishops’ Authority: Recent Decrees From Pope Francis
Fiducia Supplicans and the Magisterium
Q: When reading news about Fiducia Supplicans, and then reading the declaration itself, I was struck by this statement it contains about the Church’s Magisterium: Such theological reflection, based on the pastoral vision of Pope Francis, implies a real development … Continue reading
Posted in Catholic Education, Other Canonical Questions, The Pope
Tagged blessing, canon law, Catholic, Fiducia Supplicans, magisterial teaching, magisterium
Comments Off on Fiducia Supplicans and the Magisterium
When Christmas Falls on a Monday: Holydays of Obligation, Part III
Q: If a solemnity is a precept [i.e., a holyday of obligation] in my country and it falls on a Saturday or a Monday, is going to just one Mass enough to fulfill the precept? For example, if a festivity … Continue reading
Posted in Holy Mass, Other Canonical Questions, Parish Life
Tagged canon law, Catholic, Christmas, holyday of obligation, holydays, Mass
Comments Off on When Christmas Falls on a Monday: Holydays of Obligation, Part III
Removing a Bishop From His Diocese: The Case of Bishop Strickland
Q: I don’t need to tell you, practically the whole Catholic world is looking at the removal of Bishop Strickland from [his diocese of] Tyler, [Texas,] and wondering what happened and why. From the perspective of canon law, what did … Continue reading
Posted in Clergy Issues, Crimes and Sanctions, The Pope
Tagged Bishop Strickland, canon law, Catholic, delict, Pope Francis
Comments Off on Removing a Bishop From His Diocese: The Case of Bishop Strickland