Category Archives: Sacraments

What is the “Old Catholic Church”?

Q1: Could you tell me more about other Catholic ecclesial communities that are not Roman Catholic, such as the American National Catholic Church, and how they fit into the big picture of Catholicism? –John Q2:  What is the “Old Catholic … Continue reading

Posted in Canonical Issues Involving Non-Catholics, Clergy Issues, Holy Mass, Parish Life, Sacraments | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on What is the “Old Catholic Church”?

What Happens if Catholic Parents Have Their Child Baptized in a Non-Catholic Church?

Q:  My sister-in-law recently baptized her youngest daughter in a Presbyterian church.  She is Catholic, her husband is non-denominational, and he is uneasy with the Catholic Church although they were married in a Catholic ceremony. My father-in-law insists “a baptism … Continue reading

Posted in Baptism, Canonical Issues Involving Non-Catholics, Sacraments | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on What Happens if Catholic Parents Have Their Child Baptized in a Non-Catholic Church?

Who is Qualified to Become an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion?

Q: Can openly married homosexuals become extraordinary ministers of communion? This happened in our parish.  I sent an email to the bishop regarding church policy on this and I was directed to meet with the priest who allowed this.  I … Continue reading

Posted in Holy Mass, Parish Life, Sacraments, The Eucharist | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Who is Qualified to Become an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion?

What Do You Do With the Deacon Who Refuses to be Ordained a Priest?

Q1: We have a seminarian in our diocese, who spent a summer in my parish.  He was expecting to become a priest several years ago, but the bishop declined to ordain him.  Nobody knows why.  Today he’s just a deacon … Continue reading

Posted in Clergy Issues, Holy Orders, Sacraments | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on What Do You Do With the Deacon Who Refuses to be Ordained a Priest?

Why Would an Illegitimate Man be Barred from the Priesthood?

Q: I heard about a boy who wept when he found out that he could not be admitted to our local seminary. The reason I heard was because he was an illegitimate child. I also read in the Catholic Encyclopedia … Continue reading

Posted in Clergy Issues, Holy Orders | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Why Would an Illegitimate Man be Barred from the Priesthood?