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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: Sacraments
Why Would a Bishop Refuse to Ordain a Seminarian?
Q: I was a seminarian for nearly five years, and in fifth year I was suddenly and unexpectedly dismissed as a seminarian by the bishop. He gave me three reasons for the dismissal, each of which I protested. For example, … Continue reading
Posted in Clergy Issues, Holy Orders, Sacraments
Tagged canon law, Catholic, ordain, ordination, priest, priesthood, seminarian, seminary
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Re-post: Confession and General Absolution
(For years, readers have returned to this article again and again in the weeks just before Christmas, which would indicate that the problem it addresses still persists. And now that the Catholic faith and the Church’s sacramental life are being … Continue reading
Posted in Confession, Parish Life, Sacraments
Tagged canon law, Catholic, confession, general absolution, valid
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The Virus and the Bishops: Twisting a Vatican Document to Further an Agenda
Q: The priests of our parish have been [illegally refusing us the sacraments], so we wrote respectfully to our Bishop. We quoted some canons which you discussed in your articles. The Bishop replied to our letter and defended the priests. … Continue reading
Posted in Clergy Issues, Rights of the Faithful, Sacraments
Tagged bishops, canon law, Catholic, episcopal conference, GIRM, Mass, sacraments
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Refusing First Holy Communion to Children Who Are Ill-Prepared
Q: I am a volunteer in our parish’s catechism program, and I help run the First Holy Communion preparation…. As has unfortunately become very common, we get a LOT of uncatechized children and an ever-increasing number of uncatechized parents in … Continue reading
Posted in Parish Life, Rights of the Faithful, Sacraments, The Eucharist
Tagged canon law, Catholic, First Communion, First Holy Communion, properly disposed, sacrament
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Ecclesia Supplet: Making Invalid Sacraments Valid
Q: You mentioned in “Invalid Baptisms and Unaccountable Clergy” that when Father Hood [of the Archdiocese of Detroit, Michigan] discovered that his own baptism was invalid and he was not a priest, that meant all the weddings, confirmations, and anointing … Continue reading
Posted in Annointing of the Sick, Baptism, Confirmation, Sacraments
Tagged canon law, Catholic, Ecclesia supplet, sacrament, valid, validity
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