-
If the information on this website has helped you, please consider making a contribution so that it can continue to help others.
-
Subscribe to Blog via Email
Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.
Thanks for subscribing!
-
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).
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.-
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?).
Tag Archives: canon law
How Can A Priest’s Ministry Be Illicit?
Q: I am a seminarian, and recently heard a priest tell a story of when he was a catechist, prior to seminary, and had to do a communion service. He had expected a priest to show up and start Mass … Continue reading
Posted in Clergy Issues, Holy Orders, Sacraments
Tagged canon law, Catholic, illiceity, illicit, irregularity, ordination, priest
Comments Off on How Can A Priest’s Ministry Be Illicit?
Can the Bishop Refuse to Ordain Me Because I’m Too Old?
Q: I’m interested in becoming a permanent deacon, but the director of the program in my diocese says the upper age limit, which I have passed, is set by canon law. He wrote to me, “The upper age limit for … Continue reading
Posted in Clergy Issues, Holy Orders
Tagged canon law, Catholic, deacon, diaconate, ordain, ordination
Comments Off on Can the Bishop Refuse to Ordain Me Because I’m Too Old?
Confession and General Absolution (Repost)
Reposting this piece is unfortunately becoming a Christmas tradition, since reports continue to surface of abuses of the Sacrament of Penance during this busy season. For that reason it may be worthwhile to read it once again. A very … Continue reading
Posted in Confession, Parish Life, Sacraments
Tagged absolution, canon law, Catholic, confession, penance
Comments Off on Confession and General Absolution (Repost)
If I Become a Catholic, What Happens to My Marriage? (Part III)
Q: Neither me or my wife are baptized, but we both desire to be and plan on going through the RCIA process in order to do so. I believe I understand that our marriage is valid according to natural law … Continue reading
Posted in Canonical Issues Involving Non-Catholics, Marriage, Sacraments
Tagged canon law, Catholic, marriage, non-catholic, wedding
Comments Off on If I Become a Catholic, What Happens to My Marriage? (Part III)
Canon Law and Selling a Church
Q: Peace! Lately, members of a local sect had posted online their acquisitions of supposed Catholic parishes in the US and UK. I wonder if that is canonically lawful, selling Parish Churches especially to sects? —Chadwick