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Author Archives: Cathy Caridi
Besides the Priest, Who Else is Bound by the Seal of Confession?
Q: There’s a priest from [a third-world country] in residence in my parish…. In the confessional he didn’t want to give me absolution. He said he didn’t know if I had sinned, since maybe I had done these things by … Continue reading
Posted in Confession, Crimes and Sanctions, Parish Life
Tagged canon law, Catholic, confession, sacramental seal
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Could Canon Law be Changed to Permit Gay Marriage?
Q: Many countries today have legalized gay marriage. Could such a marriage ever be possible in the Catholic Church? Is it automatically invalid because they can never consummate the marriage or have children? I worry that governments might try to force … Continue reading
Posted in Marriage
Tagged canon law, Catholic, homosexual, marriage
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When Can Catholic Soldiers Receive Sacraments from Non-Catholic Chaplains?
Q: I am [in the U.S. armed forces] and we were discussing the fact that military chaplains come in all denominations. Can a Jewish, Muslim, or Sikh chaplain baptize someone a Catholic? Can a Jewish, Muslim, or Sikh chaplain give … Continue reading
Posted in Canonical Issues Involving Non-Catholics, Sacraments
Tagged baptism, canon law, Catholic, chaplain, confession, eucharist, military, sacrament
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When Can Catholics Receive Communion at a Non-Catholic Service?
Q: Can Catholics receive communion at Episcopal services? One article I read … states that the Canon Law deems reception of communion from a non-Catholic minister is blasphemy and, as such, a mortal sin. –Paula
Posted in Canonical Issues Involving Non-Catholics, Holy Mass, The Eucharist
Tagged canon law, Catholic, Episcopal, Episcopalian, eucharist, holy communion
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Why Does the Vatican Arrest Leakers, But Not Pedophile Priests?
Q: I read an article online, saying the Vatican just arrested five people for leaking and publishing confidential Vatican documents. Lots of anti-Catholic comments were posted under the article, asking why the Pope arrests leakers but not pedophile priests? I … Continue reading
Posted in Clergy Issues, Other Canonical Questions, The Pope
Tagged canon law, Catholic, pedophile, priest, Vatican
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