Are there Any Limitations on the Power of the Pope?

Posted on February 8, 2008 by canonlawmadeeasy

Q: A non-Christian friend asked me a question about the Church and I didn’t know how to answer her. She wanted to know whether the pope, since he is the highest authority in the Church, can command anything he wants, like oblige all of us Catholics to wear green on Sundays or silly things like that. It sounds like a joke, but I’m serious! What are the rules on what the pope can and can’t do?  –Celine Continue reading →

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Am I Excommunicated? Sanctions, Part I

Posted on January 25, 2008 by canonlawmadeeasy

Q: I did some really stupid things in my earlier years, and am wondering whether I got myself excommunicated. How can I find out?  –Bill Continue reading →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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