If you have ever had to enroll your children into a CCD program, the pastor or CCD coordinator would have asked for the children’s baptismal certificates. If you have ever entered a marriage preparation program, seminary, or even an institute of religious life, you would have had to present your most recent baptismal certificate prior
The matrimonial covenant is a partnership of the whole life between a man and woman, which by its nature is oriented towards the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of children.[1] A marriage contracted by two baptized parties is also a sacrament.[2] This article will examine the law regarding the place of
Jesus told the apostles, “go make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of Holy Spirit.”[1] In Mark’s gospel, the Lord also said, “whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.”[2] These two scriptural accounts serve as a basis for the importance of baptism in Christianity. Baptism has
In a broad sense, a mixed marriage is one between a Catholic and a non-Catholic. In canon law, there are two types of mixed marriages. The first falls under “Disparity of Worship”, which involves a Catholic party and a non-baptized party. It is also categorized as a marriage impediment and a dispensation is required from
Last year, a mother asked me: Can the priest deny my child his first holy communion? The mother shared that her son was diagnosed with a particular mental condition. The priest told her that the child was not able to join the first holy communion preparation because a canon law states, “It is for pastors to
Godparents play a significant role in the Christian upbringing of children. I have heard them referred to as “I sigundu na mañaina” or “second parents” of their godchildren. This article will look at what Canon Law says on the requirements and responsibilities of godparents. Canons 872-874 pertain to selection of godparents. “There is to be
“As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit” (1 Cor
Canon 917 states, “A person who has already received the Most Holy Eucharist can receive it a second time on the same day only within the Eucharistic celebration in which the person participates”. Looking at the law, it is clear that under normal circumstances, a person can receive communion twice a day. The Latin word used
In the last article, I explained the Church’s judicial process and the meaning of a declaration of nullity/annulment. Now, I would like to outline the five stages of the marriage nullity trial, as well as the key persons involved in it. For the sake of this article, I am unable to go into the details
The purpose of this article is to offer a brief introduction to the Church’s judicial process and explain a declaration of marriage nullity, more commonly referred to as an “annulment”. It will also share the reasons for which marriages can be declared null by the Church. The article will conclude by answering a common question