Category Archives: Other Canonical Questions

When Can a Bishop Intervene in a Lay Association of the Faithful?

Q:  Greetings!  We have a certain Lay Association of Catholic Faithful in our diocese.  The association has a spiritual director appointed by the bishop.  That spiritual director suspended a member from the association, on the grounds of erroneous doctrinal teachings, … Continue reading

Posted in Other Canonical Questions, Rights of the Faithful | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on When Can a Bishop Intervene in a Lay Association of the Faithful?

How Can You Tell a Real Law from an Illegal Decree?

Q: In this period of such confusion in the Church, you sometimes point to the law as the final answer on the subject.  Other times, though, you have criticized a law as being unjust and said that it must be … Continue reading

Posted in Other Canonical Questions | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on How Can You Tell a Real Law from an Illegal Decree?

Contributing Financially to the Support of the Parish: A Precept of the Church

Q1:  Wondering if you would comment on this article?  The author urged Catholics in America not to give a cent to our parishes so long as they are closed because of coronavirus.  He also says more generally that we shouldn’t … Continue reading

Posted in Other Canonical Questions, Parish Life, Rights of the Faithful | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Contributing Financially to the Support of the Parish: A Precept of the Church

Holydays of Obligation, Part II

Q1:  It seems like this year [2019] the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is transferred to December 9, Monday.  So, we have a kind of double obligation.  (I know that in some countries bishops lift the obligation in such cases, … Continue reading

Posted in Holy Mass, Other Canonical Questions | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Holydays of Obligation, Part II

What’s the Difference Between a Nun and a Consecrated Virgin?

Q1: What’s the difference between a nun and a consecrated virgin?  I assumed the two terms were synonymous, until I read recently about a new Vatican document on the topic of consecrated virgins, and it sounds like they are something … Continue reading

Posted in Other Canonical Questions | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on What’s the Difference Between a Nun and a Consecrated Virgin?