Tag Archives: canon law

A Brief Note about Papal Resignation

Dear Readers, Those of us in Rome were no less stunned than the rest of the world by the Pope’s announcement yesterday.  Nobody saw it coming!  It was, therefore, a cruel coincidence that “Can a Pope Ever Resign?” was published … Continue reading

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Can a Pope be Removed from Office?

Q: In a recent piece you explained that the Pope can resign if he chooses.  To me that raises another question: What would happen if a Pope became so mentally debilitated that he didn’t know what he was doing?  It … Continue reading

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If a Catholic Marries a Non-Christian, How is it a Sacrament?

Q:  An unbaptized person can’t receive any of the other sacraments unless he gets baptized first, right?  So how is it possible for a Catholic to marry a non-Christian in a Catholic ceremony?  I don’t see how the non-Christian spouse … Continue reading

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Can a Pope Ever Resign?

Q:  I read in a news article that Pope Benedict said he would resign, if he reached the point where he couldn’t physically handle being Pope any longer.  Is that even possible?  Can a Pope ever resign?  —Scott A:  It’s … Continue reading

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Canon Law and Consecrating the Eucharist

Q:  Is it permitted for a priest who notices he did not consecrate enough Hosts to step to the side, with another paten of unconsecrated hosts, and perform a second consecration of just those hosts (not also consecrating wine a … Continue reading

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