U.S. Catholics Increasingly Resorting To Canon Law Courts In Disputes With Church

AP yesterday reported on the growing number of U.S, Catholics who are turning to ecclesiastical courts in disputes beyond those involving marriage and annulment. Canon lawyers say that Catholics are using the Church's own legal system to challenge various sorts of decisions made by bishops or priests.  For example, recent cases involve a challenge to a priest's decision to rent out space in a local church for a band to use, and a nun's complaint that her Mother Superior had disclosed confidential medical information about her to others. Other cases involve challenges to church closures.