Category Archives: ASK FATHER Question Box

ASK FATHER: What should I do if I hear a priest break the Seal of Confession?

From a reader in the combox under another post.  HERE QUAERITUR: What is the proper procedure for a person to whom the Seal is broken? For example, folks who happen to hear those two Libville homilies? The “Libville homilies” were … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Penalties for Violation of the Seal. Wherein Fr. Z and a fictional SSPX priest explain the situation.

In the combox I was asked… QUAERITUR: Doesnt revealing the content and identity of a penitent incur grave penalties? I respond thusly. First, for a person – and priests are people, too – to incur a censure, he has to … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Cohabiting couple who own a house. (MUST READ HILARITY!)

I don’t like hypothetical questions.  “What if’s…?” can go on forever. However, this one was interesting.  So I reached out to my friend Fr. Ferguson, knowing in my bones that what I would get back would be a doozy. It’s … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Fr. Z KUDOS, HONORED GUESTS, Lighter fare, One Man & One Woman |
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ASK FATHER: What’s the truth about the SSPX?

I was informed that some prominent internet wonks were/are having a spat about the SSPX. I looked around and found all manner of strange, useless and confusion-riddled comments about the status of the SSPX, their objectives and holiness, and blah … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Can the bishop forbid lay Catholics from gathering in public or private places because of COVID-19?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Does the bishop of a diocese have the authority to prevent lay faithful from gathering in public or private with non-household members? The following is background for the question. A group of lay Catholics were organizing … Read More

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ASK FATHER: How do we fulfill our Easter Duty in this time of pandemic lockdown?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Hi Father – my question is about how to fulfill the Easter duty during this time of quarantine. Does a spiritual communion during a “parking lot mass” on Easter Sunday count? Also, our pastor has insisted … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, 1983 CIC can. 915, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged ,
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ASK FATHER: Cardinal says confession and absolution over the phone is okay

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I was shocked, as I heard, that the local bishop allowed phone confession and absolution over phone because of COVID-19.  A priest from my community says the Cardinal of says that he may use phone to … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, GO TO CONFESSION, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 |
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ASK FATHER: The Sacred Triduum in the Extraordinary Form privately, without people.

Numerous priests have written to me, asking about what to do about the Sacred Triduum in private. I’ve been pondering and consulting. Summorum Pontificum 2 excepts the Triduum for Holy Mass in the Vetus Ordo sine populo. However, Card. Sarah, … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Si vis pacem para bellum!, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM | Tagged ,
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ASK FATHER: Blessing sacramentals over a live stream on the internet

From a reader… QUAERITUR: During this time of plague, may priests live-stream the blessing of sacramentals? A priest has asked parishioners who want to have these objects blessed to prepare water, salt, etc., view the blessing ritual online, and presumably … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Best practices for following a Mass which is live-streamed on the internet or broadcast on TV

From a reader… QUAERITUR: What are your thoughts about what to do during streamed Masses? I tend to think that in this time where it is impossible to attend Mass, it is at least beneficial to be united with one … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, LIVE STREAMING | Tagged
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