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Author Archives: Cathy Caridi
Who Controls Ecclesiastical Property?
Q: I am hoping that you can resolve a debate we are having about the term “ecclesiastical property.” Some Catholic friends and I were talking about how the US bishops tried to seize [the Catholic television station] EWTN from Mother … Continue reading
Posted in Other Canonical Questions
Tagged bishop, canon law, Catholic, ecclesiastical property, EWTN, juridic person, Mother Angelica
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How Much Financial Support Are We Required to Give Retired Bishops?
Q: I heard our bishop say that he was entitled to “a car, a house, and a secretary” upon retirement. He claimed that canon law provides for this. Canon 402.2 states that a Conference of Bishops can specify the “suitable … Continue reading
Posted in Clergy Issues
Tagged bishop, bishops' conference, canon law, Catholic, conference of bishops, emeritus, episcopal conference, retirement
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When Can a Bishop Lawfully Transfer a Pastor to Another Parish?
Q: I belong to a very large parish… Up until a couple of years ago we had an excellent pastor who was not only well-liked by nearly everyone in the parish, but had many years of experience, and was instrumental … Continue reading
Posted in Clergy Issues, Parish Life
Tagged canon law, Catholic, diocesan bishop, parish, pastor, transfer
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Why Can’t You Change the Name of a Church?
Q: If a church was consecrated by the diocesan bishop in the name of a particular saint, can a different bishop later change its name? I ask because my parish church was consecrated 150 years ago to the Mother of … Continue reading
Posted in Other Canonical Questions, Parish Life
Tagged bishop, canon law, Catholic, church, dedicate, dedication, parish
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Becoming a Hermit in the 21st Century
Q: I’m a priest of the diocese of X. Presently, I’m considering becoming a hermit according to canon 603. The process seems far more difficult than incardinating into another diocese or religious order…. Under what circumstances can the bishop refuse … Continue reading
Posted in Clergy Issues, Other Canonical Questions
Tagged canon law, Catholic, clergy, eremitic, hermit
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