Category Archives: Sacraments

Homeschooling and Catechetics (Part II)

Q:  I’m trying to get my son confirmed, but I have to send him to the baptist non-Catholic youth ministry (sic).  Why is it called Catholic youth ministry (CYM)?  Why don’t the children have catechism anymore?  I am homeschooling my … Continue reading

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How Can Arranged Marriages be Valid?

Q: While doing journalistic research recently, I was shocked to discover that even in this day and age, there are some countries and cultures where parents still arrange their children’s marriages.  The bride and groom don’t know each other, and … Continue reading

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Who Decides Whether a Catholic Has Been Excommunicated?

Q: My (big mouthed!) spiritual director directly broke the seal of confession (names and sins) privately to me not once but twice (same conversation)….  When it happened, I called him out on it and told him he had just excommunicated … Continue reading

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Excommunication and the Seal of Confession (Sanctions, Part VI)

Q: My question relates to the seal of the confessional because I am wondering if I broke it.  I know I acted imprudently, but whether or not I broke it is somewhat unclear to me…. I was hearing confessions and … Continue reading

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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

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