Can You be Refused Holy Communion if You Kneel?

Posted on January 11, 2008 by canonlawmadeeasy

Q:  In my parish, people normally receive Holy Communion standing, but there have been some people who knelt down before the priest when their turn came to receive. On one occasion I noticed that the priest stopped and spoke to one of these people before giving her Communion, but I was too far away and couldn’t hear what he said. Later, a notice appeared in the parish bulletin, telling everyone that standing is the only acceptable way to receive Communion in our church, and that if anyone kneels down instead, the priest will not give that person Communion. Does a priest have the right to refuse Holy Communion to people who kneel? Isn’t that a violation of people’s right to receive a sacrament? –Martin Continue reading →

Posted in Rights of the Faithful, The Eucharist | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Can You be Refused Holy Communion if You Kneel?

Can Non-Catholics Serve as Baptismal Sponsors?

Posted on December 27, 2007 by canonlawmadeeasy

Q1: A friend of mine is Presbyterian.  He recently mentioned to me that he is the godfather to the child of Catholic parents.  But how could a Presbyterian be allowed to become the godparent of a Catholic baby?  I thought the whole purpose of godparents was to protect the baby’s Catholic faith if something happened to the parents.  –Andy

Q2: Our daughter is expecting her first child. She spoke to a priest at her parish about having the baby baptized, and among other things she mentioned that she and her husband are having difficulty finding a good Catholic man to serve as the baby’s godfather. Maybe my daughter got confused, but she tells me the priest said that you don’t need to have a godfather, but can have two godmothers instead if you want to. That didn’t sound right to me. Is it correct?  –Alicia Continue reading →

Posted in Baptism, Canonical Issues Involving Non-Catholics | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Can Non-Catholics Serve as Baptismal Sponsors?

Confession and General Absolution

Posted on December 13, 2007 by canonlawmadeeasy

Q: Last year, I visited my relatives at Christmas time, and we all went to their parish to a communal penance service before Christmas. There were probably almost a hundred people there, and only one priest. He didn’t hear each person’s confession, as we expected. Instead, he stood near the altar, said some prayers, and blessed all of us. Then he told us we were absolved of our sins, and that was it. Was that priest wrong to do what he did? Did God really forgive us our sins?  –Robert Continue reading →

Posted in Confession, Rights of the Faithful, Sacraments | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Confession and General Absolution

Can Women be Ordained Priests?

Posted on December 1, 2007 by canonlawmadeeasy

Q: I thought the Pope said that only men can become priests. But I’ve seen a couple of different articles in the paper, about women being ordained as Catholic priests in private ceremonies. The articles say very clearly that Ms. So-and-so is now a Catholic priest.  How can these women be Catholic priests?  –Elinore Continue reading →

Posted in Clergy Issues, Holy Orders | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Can Women be Ordained Priests?

Can a Public Sinner Have a Catholic Funeral?

Posted on November 17, 2007 by canonlawmadeeasy

Q: When opera star Luciano Pavarotti died in Italy in 2007, he had a big funeral in a Catholic church. Lots of famous people attended, and the bishop was there. Even the Pope issued a statement saying positive things about him. But nobody seems to be paying much attention to the fact that some years ago, Pavarotti left his wife and ran off with a woman half her age, whom I assume he married outside the Church. Why did church leaders ignore his scandalous life, and allow him to have a Catholic funeral, after he openly flaunted the Church’s teachings on marriage? –Betsy Continue reading →

Posted in Annointing of the Sick, Other Canonical Questions | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Can a Public Sinner Have a Catholic Funeral?