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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).
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
If the Church Has Never Permitted Divorce, Why Did Henry VIII Expect the Pope to Give Him One?
Q: I understand that the Catholic Church does not approve of divorce. But I do not understand why Henry VIII asked the Pope to grant him a divorce from his wife, and expected the Pope to grant it. Was there … Continue reading
Posted in Marriage, Sacraments, The Pope
Tagged annulment, canon law, Catholic, divorce, Henry VIII, marriage
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Marriage and Quasi-Domiciles
Q: For four years our son was away at college, over 500 miles from home. He just graduated and is now engaged to a girl he met at school, and they want to get married in our parish here. Our … Continue reading
Posted in Marriage, Parish Life, Sacraments
Tagged canon law, Catholic, college, domicile, marriage, quasi-domicile
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Do Catholics Have to be Confirmed Before Getting Married?
Q: In our parish RCIA program, I have a couple that were married civilly, but plan to marry next year in the Catholic Church back in her hometown. Both are baptized Catholic and have received Holy Communion, but neither has … Continue reading
Posted in Canonical Issues Involving Non-Catholics, Confirmation, Marriage
Tagged canon law, Catholic, confirmation, marriage, RCIA
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Canon Law and Getting What You Want
Q1: My fiancé and I wish to be married in a chapel [instead of the parish church]. This chapel… has been the most pivotal part of our faith life and relationship with one another. However, we were informed that we … Continue reading
Posted in Marriage, Other Canonical Questions, Parish Life, Sacraments
Tagged bishop, canon law, Catholic, marriage, Mass
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How Does the Presence of a Priest at My Non-Catholic Wedding Make it Okay?
Q: I am Catholic and my fiancée is unbaptized. I want to have the wedding ceremony in the Catholic Church, but [there are problems]… I know that as a Catholic I should not marry in a ceremony in my fiancée’s religion. … Continue reading
Posted in Canonical Issues Involving Non-Catholics, Marriage, Sacraments
Tagged canon law, Catholic, marriage, valid
Comments Off on How Does the Presence of a Priest at My Non-Catholic Wedding Make it Okay?