Dispensation

[Melo]

I’m still a pretty new Catholic and I’ve been reading this forum almost daily to further my education. I keep seeing posts concerning dispensation. Under what circumstance do you have to get a dispensation? And, again forgive my ignorance, how do you get a dispensation?

Thank you.

 

[Lux_et_Tenebrae]

Hi,

What dispensation would you need?

Dispensation in general means an act whereby in a particular case a lawful superior grants relaxation from an existing law.

I think the most common is relaxing fast or abstinance laws during lent. Often the bishop will grant a dispensation from abstinence from meat on St Patrick’s Day if it falls on a Friday in lent (especially if he is Irish)

Lux

 

[SMHW]

Another big reason for dispensations involve weddings.

I’m simplifying the following but basically Canon law requires Catholics to marry other Catholics and to do so in a Catholic church. If a Catholic wishes to marry someone who is not Catholic this requires a dispensation. Likewise, if the Catholic wishes to be married in a non-Catholic church (typically if the non-Catholic is the bride or if the non-Catholic has a clergyman in the family) a dispensation would be required.

In general dispensations must be granted by the bishop. But the bishop can delegate the authority to grant some dispensations to pastors. Frequently the Catholics that obtain such dispensations don’t even realize that they got one since the pastor handles the paperwork behind the scenes.

 

[Melo]

Thanks for clearing that up. I’ve learned something new today!

 

[LilyM]

Oh there’s more learning to be done yet

If you know in advance that you’re not going to be able to attend Mass on a Sunday for whatever reason (as long as it’s a good one) you can obtain a dispensation from the Sunday obligation from your pastor - that’s one of the ones he doesn’t have to consult with the Bishop about.

 

[Andreas_Hofer]

Oh there’s more learning to be done yet

If you know in advance that you’re not going to be able to attend Mass on a Sunday for whatever reason (as long as it’s a good one) you can obtain a dispensation from the Sunday obligation from your pastor - that’s one of the ones he doesn’t have to consult with the Bishop about.

But, of course, if the requirement can’t be fulfilled there is no reason for a dispensation because the law doesn’t bind. The Sunday obligation is one of the biggest topics for discussions of dispensations, but in most all cases it gets invoked there is no need whatsoever to get one.

 

[LilyM]

But, of course, if the requirement can’t be fulfilled there is no reason for a dispensation because the law doesn’t bind. The Sunday obligation is one of the biggest topics for discussions of dispensations, but in most all cases it gets invoked there is no need whatsoever to get one.

Oh I wasn’t referring to a clear cut case of literal inability. Sorry for not making myself clear.

There are many kinda greyish situations where, even if I thought I didn’t have an obligation I’d probably seek a dispensation just for my own peace of mind.