Holy Days of Obligation

Question from Mary Jo Smith on 2/5/2008:  
Which days are the Holy Days of Obligation?
Answer by Rev. Mark J. Gantley, JCL on 2/20/2008: 
According to the universal law of the Catholic Church, the following are holy days of obligation: every Sunday, Christmas, Epiphany, Ascension, Body and Blood of Christ, Mary Mother of God, Immaculate Conception, Assumption, St. Joseph, Saints Peter and Paul, All Saints (canon 1246.1).

Depending on the decision of the conference of bishops in a particular country (with Vatican approval), some of these days are transferred to the nearest Sunday or are suppressed as days of obligation (canon 1246.2).

For the days of obligation in the United States of America, go to: http://www.usccb.org/norms/1246.htm

A bishop's authority

Question from Stephen on 2/5/2008:  
Dear Father, please could you tell me if this is the correct application of canon law. An archbishop has excommunicated an alleged visionary as well as those who visit the place of apparitions-but he has also said that any catholic-clergy or laity from anywhere in the world will also be excommunicated if they visit the place. It was my understanding that he only has authority over those in his own diocese, and as many bishops from around the world visit this place, does that mean they will incur automatic excommunication? Thanks in advance Stephen
Answer by Rev. Mark J. Gantley, JCL on 2/20/2008: 
Generally speaking a diocesan bishop can exercise authority over his own subjects as well as travelers in the territory of his diocese.

There are limits in terms of bishops in his territory (e.g., penal cases involving bishops can only be handled by the Apostolic See).

It is hard to give a more specific answer without more information or a more specific question. Often, to give a complete answer, I might need to see the documents involved (e.g., decrees, norms promulgated by the bishop).

There is also a different between having an excommunication imposed and one incurred by the law itself (latae sententiae, commonly called "automatic," although it is a bit simplistic to put it that way). You first refer to an bishop imposing excommunication and then you refer to automatic excommunications.

Vatican raises bar for opening cause for beatification

 

Vatican, Feb. 18, 2008 (CWNews.com) - The Vatican has issued new guidelines for diocesan investigations into the lives of candidates for beatification or canonization.

Cardinal José Saraiva Martins, the prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, introduced the norms at a press conference in Rome on February 18. He explained that the new document, entitled Sanctorum Mater, is intended to ensure that investigations are conducted "with ever greater care."

The process leading toward beatification begins with an inquiry into the life of the candidate, begun by the diocese in which that candidate died. The Vatican's instruction lays out the requirements for that diocesan investigation, noting that it should begin only when someone already has won "a true reputation for holiness," Cardinal Saraiva said.

The new document was necessary, the Portuguese prelate said, for several reasons. In the 25 years that have elapsed since Pope John Paul II (bio - news) set forth procedures in Divinus Perfectionis Magister, some diocesan officials have not properly understood the existing norms or followed them "with the necessary meticulousness." Some dioceses do not have experts skilled in conducting investigations and therefore need more detailed instructions.

One specific problem that has crept into investigations, Cardinal Saraiva continued, has been a widespread but erroneous belief that the Church had adopted "some kind of historical-critical investigation" to replace the traditional procedures. Another problem, he added, has been the willingness of some dioceses to open causes without "a serious and rigorous verification of the fame of sanctity or martyrdom." He stressed that a cause should not begin unless the candidate is already "held to be a saint or martyr by a considerable number of faithful."

Responding indirectly to the notion that the new norms are intended as a move by Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) to cut down on the number of beatifications and canonizations, Cardinal Saraiva Martins noted that 563 people have been beatified and 14 canonized during the current pontificate.

Filipino archbishop joins calls for president's resignation

 

Manila, Feb. 18, 2008 (CWNews.com) - A prominent prelate in the Philippines has joined in the calls for the resignation of President Gloria Arroyo Macapagal.

Archbishop Oscar Cruz said that a new government is needed to restore confidence among the nation's people and replace a "national leadership beyond redemption."

Although the archbishop did not mention President Arroyo by name, he said that public dissatisfaction has grown critical because of corruption charges against the government. "The court of public opinion has already formed a judgment," he said.

Is John the Baptist really Elijah?

Question from Sharon Schultz on 2/18/2008:  
I have a friend who has been told that John the Baptist is really Elijah who came back. Will you please explain this to me if it is true. Thank you and God bless Sharon Schultz
Answer by Fr. John Echert on 2/18/2008: 
There were Old Testament prophecies and expectations that the prophet Elijah would return prior to the coming of the Messiah, to prepare the way. In the sense that John the Baptist fulfilled this role initially, for the first coming of Christ, he was Elijah (spiritually but not physically). However, we still expect the return of Elijah prior the second coming of the Messiah, at the end of time. Elijah did not die, as recorded in the Old Testament (he was taken into the heavens on a chariot) and so he still has a role to play, to win souls for Christ, just prior to the end times.

Thanks, Sharon

Father Echert