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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.- Canon lawyers are not responsible for the content of canon law. The Supreme Legislator is. Only Pope Francis can change the Code of Canon Law, so if you're not happy with what the law says, please take it up with him.
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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: Catholic
Who is Qualified to Become an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion?
Q: Can openly married homosexuals become extraordinary ministers of communion? This happened in our parish. I sent an email to the bishop regarding church policy on this and I was directed to meet with the priest who allowed this. I … Continue reading
Posted in Holy Mass, Parish Life, Sacraments, The Eucharist
Tagged canon law, Catholic, eucharist, extraordinary minister, holy communion, homosexual
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What Do You Do With the Deacon Who Refuses to be Ordained a Priest?
Q1: We have a seminarian in our diocese, who spent a summer in my parish. He was expecting to become a priest several years ago, but the bishop declined to ordain him. Nobody knows why. Today he’s just a deacon … Continue reading
Posted in Clergy Issues, Holy Orders, Sacraments
Tagged canon law, Catholic, deacon, diaconate, ordination
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Why Would an Illegitimate Man be Barred from the Priesthood?
Q: I heard about a boy who wept when he found out that he could not be admitted to our local seminary. The reason I heard was because he was an illegitimate child. I also read in the Catholic Encyclopedia … Continue reading
Posted in Clergy Issues, Holy Orders
Tagged bishop, canon law, Catholic, illegitimate, ordination, priesthood, seminarian
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Laypeople Can Always Baptize–But When Should They?
Q: My son was married to a non-Catholic girl for 7 years, and they have three boys. Just after she gave birth to the third, my daughter-in-law snapped and ran out on my son, taking the children with her and … Continue reading
Posted in Baptism, Parish Life, Sacraments
Tagged baptize, canon law, Catholic, Edgar Mortara, laypeople
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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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