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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
Our Priest Cancelled Our Wedding, So Who Else Can Validly Marry Us?
Q: My fiancé and I have been engaged for about a year, and long ago we had planned to marry on April 25. As you can probably imagine, our parish priest cancelled the wedding entirely, citing a directive from the … Continue reading
Posted in Marriage, Rights of the Faithful, Sacraments
Tagged canon law, Catholic, liceity, licit, marriage, parish, parish priest, valid, validity, wedding
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Episcopal Conferences and Communion on the Tongue
Q1: The US Conference of Catholic Bishops issued guidelines saying that we have the right to receive Holy Communion on the tongue, despite the virus … but my bishop has ordered all his priests to do the exact opposite. He … Continue reading
Posted in Clergy Issues, Rights of the Faithful, Sacraments, The Eucharist
Tagged bishops' conference, canon law, Catholic, Communion on the tongue, episcopal conference
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Can I Make My Confession Over the Phone?
Q: My question is regarding the Sacrament of Confession by phone. I have always taught that the Sacrament of Confession requires physical presence. I wanted to look up the specific requirement and how “physical presence” is described by the Church, … Continue reading
Posted in Confession, Sacraments
Tagged canon law, Catholic, confession, penance, phone, sacrament, telephone, valid
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Can I Attend an SSPX Church, Since My Parish Is Closed?
Q1: In these trying times when our Archbishop is denying the sacraments to the faithful, what do you think of attending Mass at the nearby SSPX church? It’s my understanding that currently all their sacraments excepting marriage are licit. The … Continue reading
Posted in Annointing of the Sick, Canonical Issues Involving Non-Catholics, Confession, Holy Mass, Parish Life, Rights of the Faithful, Sacraments, The Eucharist
Tagged anointing of the sick, canon law, Catholic, confession, holy communion, Mass, Old Catholics, Orthodox, sedevacantist, SSPX
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Can We Be Required to Receive Communion in the Hand, Because of the Virus?
Q: The bishop of my diocese has decreed that because of the Coronavirus outbreak, we Catholics can only receive Communion in the hand, not on the tongue. Can he do that? –Kayla
Posted in Clergy Issues, Rights of the Faithful, Sacraments, The Eucharist
Tagged canon law, Catholic, Communion in the hand, Communion on the tongue, holy communion
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