Category Archives: Crimes and Sanctions

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 , , , | Comments Off on Excommunication and the Seal of Confession (Sanctions, Part VI)

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 , , , , | Comments Off on Removing a Bishop From His Diocese: The Case of Bishop Strickland

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 , , , , , , | Comments Off on Preventing Desecration of the Eucharist

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 , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Does an Excommunicated Priest Administer Valid Sacraments? (Part II)

Does an Excommunicated Priest Administer Valid Sacraments? (Part I)

Q:  I was confirmed as an adult convert by a priest who had faculties to do so.  Recently, I have noticed that this priest has voiced his personal opinions about Pope Francis that are arguably schismatic. For example, that the … Continue reading

Posted in Clergy Issues, Crimes and Sanctions | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Does an Excommunicated Priest Administer Valid Sacraments? (Part I)