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As of April 21, 2025, the Apostolic See is vacant. By law, during the vacancy nothing is to be altered in the governance of the universal Church (c. 335).
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Tag Archives: canon law
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 Priests Cancel Public Masses, and Say a Private Mass Instead?
Q: I’d like to help my fellow parishioners clarify the difference between “canceling all Masses,” and priests who are saying a “private” Mass and either recording it or live-streaming it for the faithful to watch from home. Would this be … Continue reading
Posted in Holy Mass, Parish Life, Rights of the Faithful
Tagged canon law, Catholic, Charles de Foucauld, George Orwell, Mass, private Mass, public Mass, Quam plurimum
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Pope Francis’ Letter to the Priests of Rome, on Ministry During the Pandemic
Dear Readers, A number of people have asked about Pope Francis’ March 13 letter to the priests of Rome, which was mentioned briefly in “Do Bishops Have the Authority to Cancel Masses Completely?” It appears that this letter has not … Continue reading
Posted in Clergy Issues, Rights of the Faithful, The Pope
Tagged canon law, Catholic, churches, pandemic, Pope Francis, priests, Rome
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Holy Week in the Era of Coronavirus
Q: The pastor of my parish told me that your recent article is wrong. He says that both Cardinal Sarah [Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship] and Pope Francis approved of the bishops’ decision to cancel all Masses. The … Continue reading
Posted in Clergy Issues, Holy Mass, Parish Life, Rights of the Faithful
Tagged bishop, canon law, Catholic, Easter, Easter vigil, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Holy Thursday, holy week, Mass, Palm Sunday, priest
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