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Category Archives: Other Canonical Questions
Opus Dei and Personal Prelatures
Q: My mom is a supernumerary [i.e., a lay member] in Opus Dei. She is freaking out because Pope Francis recently forced changes on Opus Dei’s leadership and now they have to change their statutes. She says that the Pope … Continue reading
Posted in Clergy Issues, Other Canonical Questions
Tagged canon law, Catholic, Opus Dei, personal prelature
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Can Laypeople Hold Top Vatican Positions?
Q: My husband and I are hoping that you can clear up our confusion about the significance of this article … about Pope Francis reorganizing the different offices in the Vatican. It sounds to us like the Pope says that … Continue reading
Posted in Clergy Issues, Other Canonical Questions, Rights of the Faithful, The Pope
Tagged canon law, Catholic, clergy, laypeople, Lumen Gentium, power of governance, Praedicate Evangelium
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Leaving a Novice in Limbo
Q: Hello, I am a novice in [a religious institute in Rome]…. I have been a novice for ten years, and keep waiting for the novice master to decide that I can take my vows, but the time always gets … Continue reading
Posted in Other Canonical Questions, Rights of the Faithful
Tagged canon law, Catholic, novice, novitiate, religious institute
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Canon Law and Making Private Vows
Q1: I was hoping you could answer a burning question of mine regarding vows and promises. Background info: I’m a young guy with OCD [obsessive-compulsive disorder], I have a nasty habit of doing things I think are good and then … Continue reading
Posted in Other Canonical Questions
Tagged canon law, Catholic, commutation, dispensation, spiritual director, vow
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What Are the Church’s Current Rules on Indulgences? (Repost)
(On Easter Sunday, Pope Francis will give the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing in St. Peter’s Square, and under the proper conditions Catholics can gain a plenary indulgence. So it seems appropriate to repost the Church’s rules on indulgences at … Continue reading
Posted in Other Canonical Questions, The Pope
Tagged canon law, Catholic, indulgences, papal blessing
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