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Category Archives: Clergy Issues
Clerical Incardination: Priests for Life, Part I
Q: I’m trying to figure out which side is right in the case of pro-life leader Father Frank Pavone against his bishop in Texas. Fr. Pavone publicly said he won an appeal to the Vatican against his bishop, who had … Continue reading
Posted in Clergy Issues
Tagged canon law, Catholic, Frank Pavone, incardination, Zurek
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Who Can Conduct an Exorcism?
Q: I thought every Catholic priest could act as an exorcist if he has to, by virtue of his ordination to the priesthood. But our assistant pastor told me recently that that’s not true, because he is not able to … Continue reading
Can Priests Hold Public Office?
Q: Aren’t priests forbidden to hold political office? I thought they were, but then I read that the government of Libya nominated a Catholic priest to be their Ambassador to the United Nations! How is a priest allowed to hold … Continue reading
Posted in Clergy Issues
Tagged canon law, Catholic, politician, priest, public office
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Bishops, Coadjutors, and Auxiliaries
Q: Could you explain the terms “coadjutor bishop” and “auxiliary bishop” for us? I’m thinking particularly of the new Archbishop of Los Angeles. Originally he was an auxiliary bishop in Denver. Then he became coadjutor bishop of Los Angeles, and … Continue reading
Posted in Clergy Issues
Tagged auxiliary, bishop, canon law, Catholic
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Can All Priests Always Hear Confessions?
Q: My late uncle was a Dominican priest. When we were kids he used to tell us stories about being a Dominican. I remember one story involving somebody who asked him to hear his confession, but my uncle told him … Continue reading
Posted in Clergy Issues, Confession
Tagged canon law, Catholic, confession, priest
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