Category Archives: Canon Law

Traditionis custodes and “reception theory” – or – When a law is no law at all.

Have you ever heard of “reception theory”? Reception theory states that a law, in order to be a law, a binding law, must be received by the community for which it is intended.  If they community does not receive it, … Read More →

Posted in Canon Law, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity, Save The Liturgy - Save The World, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM, The Drill, The future and our choices, Traditionis custodes | Tagged
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Latin Mass Society examination of ‘Traditiones Custodes’

Become a Custos Traditionis (HERE) and don’t forget the Novena to St. Ann (HERE). The Latin Mass Society (in the UK – which I have often urged you to join irrespective of where you live) has helpfully issued a canonical look … Read More →

Posted in Canon Law, SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM, The Coming Storm, The Drill, Traditionis custodes | Tagged ,
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The wonders of Canon 87

I’ve been, as I am sure you have, watching the reactions of bishops in the wake of Francis’ Plessy v. Ferguson document Traditionis custodes. BTW… do become a Custos Traditionis (HERE) and don’t forget the Novena to St. Ann (HERE). In general … Read More →

Posted in Canon Law, Save The Liturgy - Save The World, Traditionis custodes | Tagged
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Seriously humorous SSPX statement on “Traditionis custodes” and a terrific imaginary curve ball

The SSPX office in Menzingen put out a statement, still only in French, about Traditionis custodes. HERE  Here’s a taste… From Summorum Pontificum to Traditionis custodes, or from the Nature Preserve to the Zoo […] A organized extinction While Francis … Read More →

Posted in Canon Law, Lighter fare, Save The Liturgy - Save The World, SSPX, Traditionis custodes | Tagged , ,
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ASK FATHER: Can a pastor delegate to a deacon the faculty to witness marriages of non-subjects?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Can a pastor where a wedding is held delegate faculties for a deacon to assist at marriages in his parish over subjects that are not his? My wife and I were married by a Deacon in … Read More →

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Canon Law, One Man & One Woman | Tagged ,
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ASK FATHER: Do priests who celebrate only in the vernacular really know what they are saying?

From a reader…. QUAERITUR: I recently discovered the SCDF declaration Instauratio liturgica (Jan. 25, 1974), which says that the meaning of a translated sacramental formula is that of the original Latin, understood according to the mind of the Church. Especially … Read More →

Posted in Canon Law, Hard-Identity Catholicism, Latin, Mail from priests, Priests and Priesthood, Save The Liturgy - Save The World, Seminarians and Seminaries, The Drill, The future and our choices, WDTPRS | Tagged , , ,
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ASK FATHER: Can bishops or priests forbid Communion on the tongue?

From a reader… QUAERITUR: Please help me to understand something about Communion on the hand.  As I’m understanding it, people can receive Communion on the hand if they want to but also on the tongue if they want that and … Read More →

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Canon Law, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity, Save The Liturgy - Save The World | Tagged , , ,
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The question of “two Popes” bothers a lot of people. Some thoughts.

Today, the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, is also the 70th anniversary of Pope Benedict XVI’s ordination to the priesthood. It seems a propitious a day to deal with questions that pepper my inbox.  Questions about Benedict’s resignation. The … Read More →

Posted in Benedict XVI, Canon Law, Francis, The Drill, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged , , , , ,
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NEW can. 1379 § 3 makes a canonical crime an attempt to ordain a woman to ANY of the three sacred orders (episcopate, priesthood, diaconate)

Yesterday I wrote about the new Book VI of the Latin Church’s Code of Canon Law. This new Book VI, dealing with offenses and punishments, completely replaces the older version. Some changes are mere rearranging. Others are more substantive. Yesterday … Read More →

Posted in Canon Law, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Save The Liturgy - Save The World | Tagged , ,
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The Code of Canon Law has a new section about penal law, offences and punishments. There are new things.

Today the Code of Canon Law was updated in a dramatic way.  An entire Book (major section) was chopped out and replaced with a new version.  This is Book VI which deals with “penal law”, that is, offences and punishments.  … Read More →

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, 1983 CIC can. 915, Canon Law | Tagged , , ,
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