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About the author
Cathy Caridi, J.C.L., is an American canon lawyer who practices law and teaches in Rome. She founded this website to provide clear answers to canonical questions asked by ordinary Catholics, without employing all the mysterious legalese that canon lawyers know and love. In the past Cathy has published articles both in scholarly journals and on various popular Catholic websites, including Real Presence Communications and Catholic Exchange.- Canon lawyers are not responsible for the content of canon law. The Supreme Legislator is. Only Pope Francis can change the Code of Canon Law, so if you're not happy with what the law says, please take it up with him.
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canonlawmadeeasy@yahoo.com
Please check the Archives first–it’s likely your question was already addressed.
Unsigned/anonymous questions are not read, much less answered (why is it necessary even to mention this?).
Category Archives: Crimes and Sanctions
Archbishop Viganó and the Extrajudicial Process
Q: Ok, as per Archbishop Viganó what is an “extrajudicial penal trial”? If it is extrajudicial, how can it be a trial? That sounds like being called into the principal’s office, not appearing before a magistrate. Do we assume they … Continue reading
Posted in Clergy Issues, Crimes and Sanctions
Tagged canon law, Catholic, extrajudicial, schism, Vigano
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Who Decides Whether a Catholic Has Been Excommunicated?
Q: My (big mouthed!) spiritual director directly broke the seal of confession (names and sins) privately to me not once but twice (same conversation)…. When it happened, I called him out on it and told him he had just excommunicated … Continue reading
Posted in Clergy Issues, Confession, Crimes and Sanctions, Sacraments
Tagged canon law, Catholic, confession, excommunicated, latae sententiae, sacramental seal
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Excommunication and the Seal of Confession (Sanctions, Part VI)
Q: My question relates to the seal of the confessional because I am wondering if I broke it. I know I acted imprudently, but whether or not I broke it is somewhat unclear to me…. I was hearing confessions and … Continue reading
Posted in Confession, Crimes and Sanctions, Sacraments
Tagged canon law, Catholic, sacramental seal, seal of confession
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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
Posted in Clergy Issues, Crimes and Sanctions, The Pope
Tagged Bishop Strickland, canon law, Catholic, delict, Pope Francis
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Preventing Desecration of the Eucharist
Q: My diocese has seen a spate of attempted thefts of the Eucharist. Usually this happens when someone receives the Host and tries to put It into his/her pocket. Once, though, someone approached a deacon with money and tried to … Continue reading
Posted in Crimes and Sanctions, Holy Mass, Parish Life, The Eucharist
Tagged canon law, Catholic, desecration, eucharist, holy communion, satanism, satanist
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