Category Archives: Clergy Issues

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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