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Category Archives: Sacraments
Does a Convert Become a Latin or an Eastern Catholic?
Q: I have a question about the church membership of an adult convert to Catholicism. My grandparents were Greek Melkite Catholics. Their son, my father, drifted away from Catholicism, married a protestant woman, and began attending protestant services. I was … Continue reading
Posted in Baptism, Sacraments
Tagged baptism, canon law, Catholic, eastern Catholic, Greek Melkite
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What Makes a Baptism Catholic?
Q1: What makes a Catholic baptism Catholic? I’m a lay Roman Catholic who just started working as a hospital chaplain, which means I may be called upon to administer emergency baptisms in some cases. If I baptize, for example, an … Continue reading
Posted in Baptism, Parish Life, Sacraments
Tagged baptism, baptize, canon law, Catholic, validity
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Can the Pastor Set a Minimum Age for Baptism?
Q: Canonically speaking, may the pastor/parish set a minimum age of 4 months old for the baptism of an infant? If not, what steps should be taken by parents who want their child baptized before that age? We have a … Continue reading
Posted in Baptism, Parish Life, Sacraments
Tagged baptism, canon law, Catholic, infant, parish, pastor
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(Repost:) Confession and General Absolution
Unfortunately, reposting this piece is almost becoming a Christmas tradition, since reports continue to surface of abuses of the Sacrament of Penance during this busy season. For that reason it may be worth reading it once again. A very … Continue reading
Posted in Confession, Parish Life, Rights of the Faithful, Sacraments
Tagged canon law, Catholic, confession, general absolution, penance
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When Can the Parish Priest Postpone a Wedding?
Q: My 26-year-old daughter is pregnant. She has been dating her boyfriend for over 4 years. They now want to marry when she completes the first trimester. All their documents are in place. The parish priest will not grant them … Continue reading
Posted in Marriage, Rights of the Faithful, Sacraments
Tagged canon law, Catholic, marriage, pregnant, wedding
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