-
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: Sacraments
Overdoing the Anointing of the Sick
Q: I attended Sunday Mass while on vacation … the priest preached about the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. Here are some of the statements he made. “We all need to receive this sacrament.” “Anointing is not just for … Continue reading
Posted in Annointing of the Sick, Sacraments
Tagged anointing of the sick, canon law, Catholic, extreme unction, invalid, validity
Comments Off on Overdoing the Anointing of the Sick
Receiving Holy Communion Outside of Mass
Q: At my parish the priests will give people Holy Communion at any time of day, if they were unable for some reason to attend daily Mass. I always assumed this was the norm. But I was travelling this summer, … Continue reading
Posted in Parish Life, Sacraments, The Eucharist
Tagged canon law, Catholic, eucharist, holy communion, Mass
Comments Off on Receiving Holy Communion Outside of Mass
If My Marriage is Annulled, Why Aren’t the Children Illegitimate?
Q: I read “Marriage and Annulment,” in which you state that “children who are born of a valid or of a putative marriage are legitimate,” and that “a putative marriage is one into which at least one of the spouses … Continue reading
Posted in Marriage, Sacraments
Tagged annulment, canon law, Catholic, illegitimate, invalid, marriage, putative marriage
Comments Off on If My Marriage is Annulled, Why Aren’t the Children Illegitimate?
Does an Excommunicated Priest Administer Valid Sacraments? (Part II)
(Part I of this article was posted on April 28, 2022, and can be read here.) We have been discussing a scenario described to us by John, who wanted to know if his confirmation was administered invalidly. John was concerned … Continue reading
Posted in Clergy Issues, Crimes and Sanctions, Sacraments
Tagged baptism, canon law, Catholic, confirmation, excommunicate, invalid, marriage, priest, schism, validity
Comments Off on Does an Excommunicated Priest Administer Valid Sacraments? (Part II)
Can Divorced Catholics Date, While Waiting for Their Annulment?
Q: I am a Catholic and recently divorced. I’m in the process of working through an annulment. The internet has a lot of opinions about whether divorced Catholics can/should date prior to annulment. From what I’ve read, I see nothing … Continue reading