Excommunication in the Catholic Church

In Christian life, excommunication refers to the act by which a baptized Catholic excludes himself or herself from the communion of the Church as a result of a grave offense specified in the Code of Canon Law. There are two types of excommunication: automatic excommunication (“latae sententiae”) and excommunication “ferendae sententiae,” which is imposed by an ecclesiastical authority following a judgment. In this Hozana article, discover everything you need to know about excommunication in the Catholic Church: definition, grounds, effects, and the lifting of the penalty.

“Latae sententiae” and “ferendae sententiae” excommunication: what’s the difference?

The Code of Canon Lawdistinguishes between two types of excommunication:

• Latae sententiae: This is incurred automatically simply by committing an extremely grave offense, without the need for it to be pronounced by a judgment or decree. Those found guilty must be fully aware of the gravity of their offense. In cases of ignorance or lack of consent, the penalty of excommunication does not apply.
• Ferendae sententiae: This applies to the guilty party once the sentence has been pronounced by an ecclesiastical authority.

Excommunication in the Catechism of the Catholic Church

The Catechism of the Catholic Church addresses excommunication in three paragraphs:

“Certain particularly grave sins incur excommunication, the most severe ecclesiastical penalty, which impedes the reception of the sacraments and the exercise of certain ecclesiastical acts, and for which absolution consequently cannot be granted, according to canon law, except by the Pope, the bishop of the place or priests authorized by them. (Cf. CIC, cann. 1331; 1354-1357; CCEO, can. 1431; 1434; 1420.) In danger of death any priest, even if deprived of faculties for hearing confessions, can absolve from every sin and excommunication. (Cf. CIC, can. 976; CCEO, can. 725.)” (no. 1463)

“Formal cooperation in an abortion constitutes a grave offense. The Church attaches the canonical penalty of excommunication to this crime against human life. 'A person who procures a completed abortion incurs excommunication latae sententiae,' (CIC, can. 1398.) 'by the very commission of the offense,' (CIC, can. 1314.) and subject to the conditions provided by Canon Law. (Cf. CIC, cann. 1323-1324.) The Church does not thereby intend to restrict the scope of mercy. Rather, she makes clear the gravity of the crime committed, the irreparable harm done to the innocent who is put to death, as well as to the parents and the whole of society.” (no. 2272)

“From its conception, the child has the right to life. Direct abortion, that is, abortion willed as an end or as a means, is a "criminal" practice (GS 27 # 3), gravely contrary to the moral law. the Church imposes the canonical penalty of excommunication for this crime against human life.” (no. 2322)

What are the grounds for automatic (latae sententiae) excommunication?

The Code of Canon Law provides for nine penalties of excommunication, including:

• Heresy, which is when a person obstinately denies a truth of the faith taught by the Church. Read our article on the subject.
• Apostasy, that is, the total renunciation of the Christian faith
• Schism, that is, refusal to submit to the Pope
• Violence against the Pope
• The consecration of a bishop without the Pope’s mandate (as in the case of Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre and the four priests consecrated as bishops by him)
• Abortion, when knowingly induced, according to the provisions of Canon 1398 of Canon Law
• The desecration of the Eucharist
• Absolution of an “accomplice” in the case of sexual relations
• Violation of the seal of confession

What are the effects of excommunication?

Canon 1331 of the Code of Canon Law clearly describes the immediate effects of excommunication:

Can. 1331— § 1. An excommunicated person is prohibited:

1° from celebrating the Sacrifice of the Eucharist and the other sacraments;

2° from receiving the sacraments;

3° from administering sacramentals and from celebrating the other ceremonies of liturgical worship;

4° from taking an active part in the celebrations listed above;

5° from exercising any ecclesiastical offices, duties, ministries or functions;

6° from performing acts of governance.

In practical terms, this means:

• A prohibition on celebrating or receiving the sacraments,
• A prohibition on exercising liturgical or catechetical responsibilities within the community,
• The inability to hold an official role in a public celebration (reader, godparent, etc.).

Can one be lifted from excommunication?

Excommunication is never permanent. It can be lifted either by the diocesan bishop, by an authorized priest, or, in certain more serious cases, by the pope himself.

To be fully reinstated into the communion of the Church, the person must:

1. Acknowledge the offense committed,

2. Express genuine repentance,

3. Go to confession with the local bishop or a priest authorized to lift the excommunication,

4. Undertake a process of reparation, as directed by the confessor.

Thus, even after excommunication, it is possible to find the path back to full communion with the Church.

Let us live the divine life with Christ and with the Church!

With Hozana, let us live the divine life with Christ and with the Church.

Throughout the year, Hozana offers you a variety of communities, such as

• This 9-day novena to the Sacred Heart
• The daily Mass readings