Who grants a dispensation from disparity of cult?

• A. The competent authority
• B. The bishop
• C. The pope
• D. A parish priest

Answer: (A)

Disparity of cult is an impediment that blocks a Catholic from marrying a baptized non-Catholic unless a dispensation is granted. The one who can lift that impediment is the competent authority—the person or office that has juridical power to grant dispensations in this matter. In practice, this is usually the diocesan bishop (the local ordinary) acting for the diocese, though in exceptional cases the Holy See can grant the dispensation directly or delegate the authority. A parish priest does not have the jurisdiction to dispense from this impediment. So the correct answer is that the dispensation comes from the competent authority, with the bishop as the typical local figure who holds that power.