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About the author
Cathy Caridi, J.C.L., is an American canon lawyer who practices law and teaches in Rome. She founded this website to provide clear answers to canonical questions asked by ordinary Catholics, without employing all the mysterious legalese that canon lawyers know and love. In the past Cathy has published articles both in scholarly journals and on various popular Catholic websites, including Real Presence Communications and Catholic Exchange.- 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.
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canonlawmadeeasy@yahoo.com
Please check the Archives first–it’s likely your question was already addressed.
Unsigned/anonymous questions are not read, much less answered (why is it necessary even to mention this?).
Category Archives: Rights of the Faithful
Getting Married on One’s Deathbed
Q: Sometimes people get married in the hospital, because one of the spouses is dying and they want to be married before that person dies. I’m assuming that in these unusual circumstances the Church’s strict canon laws can get relaxed. … Continue reading
Posted in Marriage, Rights of the Faithful, Sacraments
Tagged canon law, canonical form, Catholic, deathbed, dispensation, impediment, marriage, wedding
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Can We Receive Holy Communion Twice on Christmas Day? (Repost)
Dear Readers, the era of rampant virus-hysteria and wholesale violation of the rights of the faithful to Mass and the sacraments has not ended! This year, Catholics in some parts of the world (see this article about Berlin, Germany, for … Continue reading
Posted in Rights of the Faithful, Sacraments, The Eucharist
Tagged canon law, Catholic, Christmas, holy communion
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Can a Catholic Sue the Church in Civil Court?
Q: Does a person have the right, both moral and legal, under canon law, to sue a Church Institution and/or the individuals in authority over the institutions in civil court, whether they be bishops or lay persons? In particular, I’m … Continue reading
Posted in Clergy Issues, Crimes and Sanctions, Rights of the Faithful
Tagged bishop, canon law, Catholic, civil court, seminarian, sue
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Can Church Officials Require Us to Get Vaccinated?
Q1: My daughter attends [a Catholic university whose president is a Catholic priest] and he announced that all students are required to get vaccinated against covid. We are stunned. Does a Catholic school, which I assume is governed by canon … Continue reading
Posted in Clergy Issues, Rights of the Faithful
Tagged bishop, canon law, Catholic, monastery, nun, priest, seminarian, university, vaccinated, vaccine
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Spiritual Directors and a Seminarian’s Privacy
Q1: According to this article, a seminarian in New York was kicked out of the seminary because he complained about his spiritual director. What concerns me is that the article says that according to canon law, seminarians can freely choose … Continue reading
Posted in Clergy Issues, Rights of the Faithful
Tagged canon law, Catholic, confessor, seminarian, seminary, spiritual director
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