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Author Archives: Cathy Caridi
Leaving a Novice in Limbo
Q: Hello, I am a novice in [a religious institute in Rome]…. I have been a novice for ten years, and keep waiting for the novice master to decide that I can take my vows, but the time always gets … Continue reading
Posted in Other Canonical Questions, Rights of the Faithful
Tagged canon law, Catholic, novice, novitiate, religious institute
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Receiving Holy Communion Outside of Mass
Q: At my parish the priests will give people Holy Communion at any time of day, if they were unable for some reason to attend daily Mass. I always assumed this was the norm. But I was travelling this summer, … Continue reading
Posted in Parish Life, Sacraments, The Eucharist
Tagged canon law, Catholic, eucharist, holy communion, Mass
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If My Marriage is Annulled, Why Aren’t the Children Illegitimate?
Q: I read “Marriage and Annulment,” in which you state that “children who are born of a valid or of a putative marriage are legitimate,” and that “a putative marriage is one into which at least one of the spouses … Continue reading
Posted in Marriage, Sacraments
Tagged annulment, canon law, Catholic, illegitimate, invalid, marriage, putative marriage
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Canon Law and Making Private Vows
Q1: I was hoping you could answer a burning question of mine regarding vows and promises. Background info: I’m a young guy with OCD [obsessive-compulsive disorder], I have a nasty habit of doing things I think are good and then … Continue reading
Posted in Other Canonical Questions
Tagged canon law, Catholic, commutation, dispensation, spiritual director, vow
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Does an Excommunicated Priest Administer Valid Sacraments? (Part II)
(Part I of this article was posted on April 28, 2022, and can be read here.) We have been discussing a scenario described to us by John, who wanted to know if his confirmation was administered invalidly. John was concerned … Continue reading
Posted in Clergy Issues, Crimes and Sanctions, Sacraments
Tagged baptism, canon law, Catholic, confirmation, excommunicate, invalid, marriage, priest, schism, validity
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