Questions tagged [canon-law]
Laws and regulations made by Church leadership for the government of a church and its members.
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Can a church pastor prohibit sacraments to people for any reason, other than mortal sin?
A friend of ours alerted us to an example (maybe there are more) of a Catholic Church (took a little checking to make sure it was really a Catholic Church) that is only allowing people who are ...
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1answer
60 views
What is the function of permanent acolytes and lectors in the Catholic Church?
Prior to this motu proprio the only purpose of the order of acolyte or lector in the Catholic Church that I knew of was to prepare permanent deacons for ordination.
So, if the purpose is expanded to ...
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Does the Pope Francis' moto proprio Spiritus Domini mean that pastors cannot limit servers to only boys?
So it looks like a orders of lector and acolyte, which aren't that well understood in the church to begin with, are opened up to all lay people without respect to sex following the Pope's moto proprio....
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1answer
110 views
How do Catholic marriage laws differ by region?
(I'm asking for roman catholicism, but you can answer eastern or other full communion's if you want.)
Example: You can see some of my questions on marriage law in the Philippines (for example, Q1 and ...
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778 views
Are priests who committed a sin together able to validly administer the Sacrament of Reconciliation to each other?
The Vatican recently released a report about the Holy See's knowledge and involvement in former cardinal Theodore McCarrick's rise to prominence despite allegations of sexual misconduct. The report ...
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2answers
179 views
Does the Catholic Church have a policy on how altars are to be destroyed?
Recently, I saw some articles about how a Catholic priest got defrocked following his arrest for performing indecent activities in a public place, after a bystander walking past his church one night ...
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2answers
354 views
Does the phrase “in good standing” have a definition in Catholicism?
I'm helping draft a some statutes for a Catholic Lay Organization and we want to come up with a fairly exclusive group for our leadership and thought. The phrase, "Catholic in good standing" ...
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Valid Reception of Baptized Christian into Full Communion (Roman Catholic)?
When a person who is validly baptized outside the Roman Catholic Church is received into Full Communion, must they recite the profession of faith themselves ("I believe and profess that...")?...
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Why did the Bishop of Rome accept (and retains until today) the title “Pontifex Maximus” and how were the rights and duties transferred/transformed?
According to the annual yearbook of the Catholic Church, the Bishop of Rome holds many other titles:
Vicar of Jesus Christ, Successor of the Prince of the Apostles, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal ...
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1answer
246 views
Does the Catholic Church have a contingency plan for the case that the pope and all cardinals are dead?
Most modern democratic countries have a chain of command which can be triggered in case of disastrous events and is intended to ensure the continuity of the functioning of the country.
This chain of ...
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1answer
56 views
Do both officiant and recorder need holy orders to perform a Catholic baptism?
Many Catholic baptismal records from Spanish California (circa 1800) list the same clergyman as officiant and recorder (example), while some records separate the roles (example).
I guess this ...
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101 views
In 1820 how were the Canons of Durango installed?
I am trying to figure out the date when Agustín Fernández became canon priest of Durango, Mexico. I know these steps were taken:
Some time in 1820, the bishop and cathedral chapter chose him as canon,...
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1answer
68 views
Is a Catholic canon a prebendary?
According to Mark Burkholder, the three types of members of a cathedral chapter that weren't dignitaries were canons, prebendaries (racioneros), and half prebendaries (medios racioneros).
I am ...
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2answers
141 views
Does the Catholic canon law say anything about women being priests?
Is there any canon law in the Catholic Church about the role of women in the church and its possibilities to be groomed for Priesthood?
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1answer
266 views
Why don't priests give Holy Communion to everyone at Mass? [duplicate]
Today I went to a Catholic Church and attended the mass then at communion time, priest asked us all to receive Communion (white, rounded hosts), but when I went there he spoke something very slowly ...
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1answer
55 views
Was 30 the canonical age for Catholic priesthood in the 1700s?
I understand that the current canonical age for Catholic ordination is 25 years. Was the minimum previously 30 years?
The documentation of a priest's ordination in 1775 shows that the diocese spent ...
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1answer
927 views
Do clerics commit a sin if they do not recite the liturgy of the hours?
According to the Code of Canon Law 1174, priests and deacons are obliged to recite the liturgy of the hours (divine office). If they do not do so, do they commit a sin (moral law)? Or is it only a "...
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349 views
What is the reason that intercourse is required for a valid marriage?
Within the Catholic Church, it is required to have intercourse with each other after marriage. But what is the reason behind this?
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279 views
What are the Church Laws governing ingredients and shapes of altar bread in the Catholic Church?
There appears to be perfect uniformity in the texture and make of the Sacramental Bread in Catholic churches all across the world. I wish to know if there are any laws governing the ingredients and ...
asked May 20 '19 at 3:49
Kadalikatt Joseph Sibichan
7,0543 gold badges17 silver badges46 bronze badges
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2answers
135 views
What is the Christian counterpart of Sharia and Halakha?
Both Islam and Judaism have religious law which cover matters from acts of worship to the principles of government. In Islam it is Sharia (Arabic: الشريعة; literally "law") and in Judaism it is ...
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Through what procedure is canon law amended?
The Code of Canon Law has undergone at least one other version since the first in 1917, and has received amendments since the 1983 version from what I've read.
What would warrant a new version of ...
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1answer
144 views
What were the godparent requirements back in the 1960s?
My mother was baptised in the Catholic Church in the 1960s.
I received information that her godfather (her uncle on her father's side) might not have been Catholic but rather Anglican. Could an ...
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Conversion from Orthodox to Syro Malabar Syrian Catholics
I am a Syro Malabar Syrian Catholic working in Dubai from Gujarat (from Kerala). I am getting married to a Swiss Citizen (Malayali) who is born and brought up in Switzerland and is working in Dubai.
...
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1answer
620 views
What exactly was the earliest start time of a Catholic mass before 1957? - What means aurora?
Before the Motu Propio "Sacram Communionem. On Laws of Fasting and the Evening Mass" of Pope Pius XII in 1957, the rule of c. 821 § 1 CIC/1917 applied in the Catholic Church as a ruling on the times ...
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How are conflicting views concerning latae sententiae excommunications resolved in the Catholic Church?
One might identify the real-world problem behind this question. I have
tried to put it forth without naming anyone involved in such situation
and instead posed it as an imaginary situation. Please ...
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Can a baby's baptism be nullified and redone the proper way, according to Catholic Canon Law?
If a baby is baptized by one of his parents, without the knowledge of the other parent, is there any way for the baptism to be nullified? If the parent who took the child for baptism had malicious ...
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2answers
293 views
Are Catholics allowed to drink coconut water during the hour before they take communion?
I know they are not allowed to consume anything but water and medicine during the hour before they take communion.
In addition to the fasts mentioned above, Roman Catholics must also observe the ...
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1answer
185 views
Legal base for “any male baptized Catholic is eligible to be elected Pope”
A lot of sources (e.g. Wikipedia) mention the fact that "any male baptized Catholic is eligible" to become Pope. I'd like to find the canon law (if any) that states this fact.
Canon 332 states that If ...
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1answer
582 views
Is holding hands and forming a circle around the altar during eucharistic prayer allowed?
We have a new priest in our parish who does things differently. Today in Mass he invited all children to form a circle around the altar with him and hold hands. I know that some priests do this while ...
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2answers
638 views
What happens to a diocese when a bishop dies unexpectedly?
Our bishop passed away last week unexpectedly, the only thing I've heard is that it may the Vatican 6-9 months to replace him.
What is the process and who is in charge of the diocese during this time?
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1answer
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Is a Roman Catholic ever permitted to take the Anglican Eucharist?
According to the Catholic catechisms or canon law, is it ever canonically acceptable or lawful for a Roman Catholic to take of the Anglican communion?
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Could the Pope be removed from office for lapses in judgment?
While the question is brushed up against in What would happen if the Pope were to abuse his power?, that question focused more on heresy and the Pope's ability to make heretical statements under ex ...
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1answer
240 views
How to approach homosexuality scandals in view of Canon Law and Church Tradition?
Evidently, and it has been pointed out by many including Church Militant, the Church is in a crisis. In short, there is an organized group of gay priests infecting the Church from within (former ...
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2answers
209 views
May the Pope waive the requirements of Canon Law in the appointment of bishops?
Earlier this year, as part of the effort to normalize relations between the Vatican and China, the New York Times reported that the Vatican asked one of its bishops to step down to make way for a ...
asked Aug 9 '18 at 13:54
Nathaniel is protesting
40.8k11 gold badges110 silver badges269 bronze badges
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Burial of remains following medical research
I have an friend whose great aunt donated her body to a university for medical research purposes. At the end of their research the science department had the remains cremated. My friend wants to ...
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771 views
According to the Catholic Church, is it a sin to marry your cousin?
According to the Catholic church, is it a sin to marry your distant cousin?
I am looking for two-three answers from someone who is knowledgeable in Catholic ecclesiastical laws:
(1) What degree of ...
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0answers
24 views
Franciscan apostolic college governance
The Franciscan apostolic college of San Fernando in Mexico staffed the missions of California, then resembling an apostolic prefecture.
Since it was a Franciscan college they presumably owed some ...
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0answers
74 views
Is a mass interruption a standard procedure in case of a supposed Eucharistic miracle?
I have read several stories about Eucharistic miracles and it seems the mass is always interrupted on such event. Is it a standard procedure (as for 4th June 2018) or is it up to the priest?
More ...
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3answers
806 views
Marriage invalid. Would a church annulment require a state annulment or state divorce?
This question may be wrong. I think the right question is in the following link: How do Filipino Catholics get a church annulment when their state marriage is valid, considering the Philippines doesn&#...
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0answers
97 views
Are couples with secular marriages not allowed to serve in their Catholic parish?
Are couples who are not married in the Catholic Church, but are married civilly, really not allowed to serve in their parish?
What I mean by "serve" is to act as a head of a particular parish ...
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1answer
106 views
To what extent (if any) does the Catholic Church recognize adoption? [closed]
Assuming the Church recognizes adoption, if a man or woman were to invite another to live together as a loving relationship as parent and child, but without any secular legal process, would the Church ...
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2answers
653 views
What do Protestants think about canon laws given by the Church Fathers?
In the seven ecumenical councils, and throughout early Christian history, various Church Fathers gave certain canon laws, or rules that the clergy and laity had to follow.
What do Protestants think ...
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1answer
89 views
Is the Pope limited in his authority over the Order of Malta?
Is the Pope limited in his authority over the Catholic Order of Malta? How is the jurisdiction affected with the pope over the (Catholic) Sovereign Military Order of Malta since it is able to procure ...
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4answers
599 views
Is there a Catholic bishop with jurisdiction over space?
Background information: An Ordinary, in Catholicism, is a bishop who holds "Ordinary" jurisdiction over a specific territory. He is usually known as the "Bishop of [Place Name]" and holds general ...
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2answers
767 views
Is it possible for an Eastern Rite Catholic to change over to the Roman Rite and become ordained as Latin Rite priest?
Is it possible for an Eastern Rite Catholic to change over to the Roman Rite and become ordained as Latin Rite priest?
Is it possible for a layperson of an Eastern Catholic Rite (say the Melkite Rite)...
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1answer
475 views
What are the reasons for fasting from midnight before Eucharist?
According to traditional Catholic rules (before Vatican the 2nd Council), as well as in Eastern Orthodox traditions, those who want to receive the Sacraments should fast, i.e. do not consume any food ...
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1answer
205 views
Did the 1983 Code of Canon Law change the law on celebrating/receiving the Eucharist in a state of serious sin?
Canon 916 is the current canon governing each individual's obligation not to celebrate or seek to receive the Eucharist in a state of (unconfessed) serious sin:
916. Qui conscius est peccati gravis, ...
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0answers
180 views
The right to read a Catholic church's sacramental register
In the era of handwritten parish registers, when a diocesan or missionary priest performed a sacramental rite, he wrote it up in a semi-structured form in a record book. Sometimes that priest was the ...
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1answer
411 views
According to the Catholic Church, is a marriage consummated if the couple had premarital sex?
A valid Catholic marriage can be dissolved if it has not been consummated (if the couple has not had sex after marriage, with some additional rules). This is generally determined to be the case if the ...
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2answers
248 views
What impact did the False Decretals have on Gratian's collection of Canon law?
In the ninth century, a series of elaborate forgeries were written under the pseudonym of Isidore Mercator, which are now known as the Pseudo-Isidorian Decretals (or simply the False Decretals). ...
asked Jul 24 '17 at 22:36
Nathaniel is protesting
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