Category Archives: Canon Law

Latin. Wherein Fr. Z rants.

Fr. John Hunwicke, priest, gentleman and Latinist, has a spiffing post at his blog Mutual Enrichment (which title is a reference to Summorum Pontificum). He writes about Latin.  Here is a taste of the first part with my oft-imitated emphases and comments: Since … Read More

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ASK FATHER: I have no one to ask to be godparent for my baby.

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I have a baby due in a few weeks and it is, of course, my responsibility to baptize him promptly in the Catholic Church . I have attended the required class and paid the fee at my parish; … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Would using birth control to delay children invalidate marriage?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Would the use of birth control to delay children for a time invalidate marriage? Likewise, would the intention to divorce IF the spouse committed adultery invalidate the marriage? Two questions… I normally don’t take twofers, but I’ll make … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Baptized Catholic but never practiced: do marriage laws apply?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I have two younger brothers who are close in age and who were both baptized Catholic as babies. Very early in their life, when they were around 1 and 3 years old respectively, our mom left the church … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Canon Law, Hard-Identity Catholicism, One Man & One Woman, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , ,
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ASK FATHER: Is divorce never an option?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: I hope you are doing well! First, I want to thank you for your blog. Your writings have been very educational and inspirational. I’m hoping you might share your thoughts on an example that came up during a discussion … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Canon Law, One Man & One Woman, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged , ,
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Synodality? Collegiality? Not so much.

This morning early I received an SMS: “Parolin announces ‘clarification’ of CIC by which no diocesan institute of religious can be erected validly without Vatican OK.” “Gosh!”, or words to that effect, “So much for the collegiality and decentralization that … Read More

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ASK FATHER: Date for 2nd marriage set at parish before Tribunal decision

From a reader… QUAERITUR: My in laws divorced one year ago. My father in law is remarrying one month from now. He filed the annulment paperwork late last year and was told by the deacon handling it that it would … Read More

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ASK FATHER: If Orthodox schismatics can receive Communion, why not divorced and remarried (adulterers)?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: “Amoris Latitia” contains the footnote [351] stating those living in irregular unions can be admitted to holy communion in some circumstances; the idea being that they may be in the state of grace, despite how (objectively) they … Read More

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Both Lungs, Canon Law, GO TO CONFESSION, One Man & One Woman, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged ,
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ASK FATHER: A committed Church of England man, Steve, married Jenny…

From a reader… QUAERITUR: A committed Church of England man, Steve, married Jenny, a Catholic who had baptism, 1st communion, confirmation in the Faith. She in full knowledge of her large Catholic family did not seek a dispensation for their wedding in a … Read More

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4 Comments

ASK FATHER: Returning to the Church from schism

From a reader… I’ve heard a lot recently about ordinary priests being given the power to lift excommunications for abortion, what with the Year of Mercy. What about other sins that carry an automatic excommunication, like schism? I left the … Read More

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6 Comments