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Category Archives: Other Canonical Questions
Why Can’t You Change the Name of a Church?
Q: If a church was consecrated by the diocesan bishop in the name of a particular saint, can a different bishop later change its name? I ask because my parish church was consecrated 150 years ago to the Mother of … Continue reading
Posted in Other Canonical Questions, Parish Life
Tagged bishop, canon law, Catholic, church, dedicate, dedication, parish
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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
Posted in Clergy Issues, Other Canonical Questions
Tagged canon law, Catholic, clergy, eremitic, hermit
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Establishing Dioceses and Parishes in Mission Lands
Q: While doing some historical research, I found that my parish church which is 152 years old, when its foundations were laid, had belonged to the Apostolic Vicariate of [X] and the mission of [Y]. I understood these terms as … Continue reading
Posted in Other Canonical Questions, Parish Life
Tagged apostolic administration, apostolic vicariate, canon law, Catholic, diocese, missionary, parish, prefecture
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Incorrupt Bodies and Canonizing Saints
Q: I know you wrote a book about canonizing saints … [and so] it would be helpful if you’d please weigh in on the issue of sainthood and incorrupt bodies. I assume you’ve heard about the discovery of the incorrupt … Continue reading
Posted in Other Canonical Questions
Tagged canon law, canonization, canonize, Catholic, incorrupt, mummy, saint
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How Can You Obey a Law, If You Don’t Even Know It Exists?
Q: Our Archbishop issued a Decree requiring the St. Michael prayer be prayed after all scheduled Masses. For a variety of reasons, not every parish implemented the Decree and some don’t pray the prayer as directed. Now, after four years, … Continue reading
Posted in Clergy Issues, Other Canonical Questions, Parish Life
Tagged administrative, bishop, canon law, Catholic, decree, executive
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