Formal excommunication from the Catholic Church is a rarity.1 However, there are many ways to be excommunicated through one’s actions. Here is the short list of ways that excommunication can occur (even without formal, documented excommunication).
1. Be A Heretic
“[A] species of infidelity in men who, having professed the faith of Christ, corrupt its dogmas.” 2 This is a way, not of rejecting Christianity, but of deviating by choosing select teachings among the whole to believe, while rejecting others. 3
2. Be A Schismatic
A schismatic is one who separates themself from the unity of the Church by refusing to submit to the Pope or those under him according to the hierarchy of the Church. Regardless of adherence to every other law of the Church, rejection of the Supreme Pontif is cause to be named schismatic. 4
3. Be An Apostate
The apostate rejects the entirety of the Catholic faith. Whether he chooses to embrace another, or to align with none at all, he willingly rejects the Truth he knows. This name is not applicable to the ignorant, but to those who knowingly reject Catholicism with full knowledge of the implications. 5
6 comments
mjfbinks says:
May 28, 2012
Actually, I was wondering if Kathleen Sebelius is eligible.
Jackson says:
May 28, 2012
This article may be of interest to you.
HHAmbrose says:
May 29, 2012
Furthering Jackson’s article, the USCCB honored the Archbishop of Kansas’ request that Sebelius “refrain” from taking the Eucharist after she moved to Washington DC. She was and still is practically excommunicated.
http://wdtprs.com/blog/2012/02/sec-sebelius-already-barred-from-holy-communion-under-can-915/
http://www.canonlaw.info/2008/05/staunching-wound-of-bleeding-kansas.html
http://www.theleaven.com/oldleavenwebsite/V29/V29N37ColumnistNaumann.htm
MichaelP71 says:
May 29, 2012
Doesn’t the culture of moral relativism put many catholics of having already been excommunicated by being a heretic? If someone wished the Pope would be shot would that constitute a schismatic? (I once heard a baptized catholic wish this on him)
gregory says:
May 30, 2012
Ergo, SSPX.
Jonathan says:
May 30, 2012
Regarding apostates, I wonder if a definition such as “those who knowingly reject Catholicism with full knowledge of the implications” opens the door to universalism, in as much as one could question whether one who rejects Catholicism could really have full knowledge of the implications. If they fully understood the consequences, they could have to be crazy not to be Catholic. And if they are crazy, then they can’t really be culpable.