Answering Your Questions About Papal Resignation

Pope Benedict’s announcement yesterday that he is resigning has taken the world by surprise. In response, I’ve already heard a number of questions, and it seemed wise to create a basic Q&A to clarify any confusion you might have about papal resignation. Q: Can the Pope Resign? A: The first reaction several people expressed to… Continue reading Answering Your Questions About Papal Resignation

What if a Bishop (or the Pope) is Morally Wrong?

What should faithful Catholics do if their bishop (or worse, the pope) started preaching something contrary to the Catholic faith?  That’s the question that Rev. Hans, a Lutheran pastor from Kansas City, asked me in response to yesterday’s post: Luther’s 95 Theses What happens if the Pope is not loyal to the gospel? What if a… Continue reading What if a Bishop (or the Pope) is Morally Wrong?

Why Do Catholics Abstain from Meat on Fridays?

As a society, American Catholics tend to give up meat on Fridays in Lent… and that’s it. That’s not good. We’re called to give up meat or something else on every Friday, not just those during Lent. Here’s the relevant part of canon law: Can. 1249 The divine law binds all the Christian faithful to… Continue reading Why Do Catholics Abstain from Meat on Fridays?

Is There Salvation Outside of the Church? And Other Questions.

Leon Suprenant was asked the following question on his blog: I have a Protestant friend who has asked me two questions. I was wondering if you could help me with them. Thanks!!! First, the conclusion of the Papal Bull “Unam Sanctam” states: “Further, we declare, say, define, and pronounce it to be altogether necessary for… Continue reading Is There Salvation Outside of the Church? And Other Questions.

What You Need to Know About De Delictis Gravioribus

In response to my last post, my dad asked: Thanks for bringing this subject up in your blog. I have been reading news accounts from many sources and concur with your assessment of the situation. The only part of the “scandal” that I don’t have enough information on is the directive that Cardinal Ratzinger wrote… Continue reading What You Need to Know About De Delictis Gravioribus

Infant Baptisms in Mixed Marriages

Ryan asked of my Friday post about the Reyes case, How was he able have the child baptized if his wife/ex-wife/estranged wife would not agree to the baptism. I thought the Church would not baptize the children of mixed marriages without the permission of the non-Catholic party. No. Canon law is actually incredibly clear on… Continue reading Infant Baptisms in Mixed Marriages

Invalid v. Illicit Ordinations

The Catholic Church refers to some things as “valid but illicit” (such as the SSPX’s decision to ordain priests without prior permission from the pope), and other things as “invalid” (such as women’s ordination). For this post, I chose ordination, specifically, but what I’m saying here applies to everything considered “valid but illicit” v. “invalid.”… Continue reading Invalid v. Illicit Ordinations