Canon Law

Human life is sacred. While Scripture shares capital punishment was once tolerated, the Church now deems it inadmissible.

Hypothetically, what would happen if the bishop accidentally left out the part of the ordination Mass where the future priest promises celibacy? That wouldn’t mean that the new priest was actually free to marry, would it?

“Protomartyr,” a Greek term that is usually translated as “the first martyr,” explained through the life of St. Stephen whose feast day was December 26.

Jenna Marie Cooper, who holds a licentiate in canon law, provides direction related to advent hymns and other liturgical traditions.

Although it’s not as common as a personal Lenten penance, it is still very much in keeping with the nature of the Advent season to take on an additional penance for Advent.

Far from static, the Church adapts through law and discernment while remaining faithful to her mission.

In times of unavoidable grief and loss, the Church establishes good, sensitive rules and processes for handling these delicate, powerful moments.

In broad terms, “the Easter duty” usually refers to a fully initiated Catholic’s obligation to make a good sacramental confession and receive holy Communion every year around the time of Easter.
Today, the church’s law does not mandate an “Easter duty” as such.