-
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.
- Now available in paperback!
Category Archives: Parish Life
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
Comments Off on Why Can’t You Change the Name of a Church?
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
Comments Off on Establishing Dioceses and Parishes in Mission Lands
Bishops Interfering in Parish Ministry, Part II
Q: The bishop of [a diocese in the US] is giving an annual retreat which nearly every priest in the diocese must attend, leaving parishes without priests, daily Mass, and access to the sacraments for four days. He stated that … Continue reading
Posted in Clergy Issues, Holy Mass, Parish Life, Rights of the Faithful, Sacraments
Tagged bishop, canon law, Catholic, clergy, diocese, retreat
Comments Off on Bishops Interfering in Parish Ministry, Part II
Bishops Interfering in Parish Ministry, Part I
Q: I am a priest in the Diocese of X…. Our bishop has told us pastors that we must all submit our schedule of Masses to his office for approval. He has mandated a maximum number of Masses we pastors … Continue reading
Posted in Clergy Issues, Parish Life
Tagged bishop, canon law, Catholic, diocese, parish priest, pastor
Comments Off on Bishops Interfering in Parish Ministry, Part I
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
Comments Off on Preventing Desecration of the Eucharist