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CajunRick
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Posted: Thu Feb 15th, 2007 11:26 pm |
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VATICAN CITY, FEB. 15, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts has published in English the clarified guidelines for baptized Catholics who formally separate from the Church.
Cardinal Julián Herranz, the then president of the pontifical council, issued a statement on formal acts of defection from the Church last March. The English text now appears at this web site.
The document was drawn up after many requests for clarifications of the so-called formal act of defection from the Church, mentioned in the Code of Canon Law.
Vatican dicasteries examined the issue to identify the theological and doctrinal components and then "the juridical formalities necessary so that such an action would constitute a true 'formal act' of defection," Cardinal Herranz explained.
"[T]he formal act of defection," the document states, "must have more than a juridical-administrative character (the removal of one's name from a Church membership registry maintained by the government in order to produce certain civil consequences), but be configured as a true separation from the constitutive elements of the life of the Church: It supposes, therefore, an act of apostasy, heresy or schism."
The formal act of defection "ruptures the bonds of communion, including faith, sacraments, and pastoral governance that permit the faithful to receive the life of grace within the Church," clarified Cardinal Herranz.
For the formal act of defection to be valid, three steps are necessary. The document lists them:
"1) the internal decision to leave the Catholic Church;
"2) the realization and external manifestation of that decision; and
"3) the reception of that decision by the competent ecclesiastical authority."
The document clarifies that the third step is not fulfilled by a juridical-administrative action, such as removal of one's name from Church membership records, but must be carried out "by a person who is canonically capable and in conformity with the canonical norms."
Despite all this, "the fulfillment of the formal act of defection from the Catholic Church does not remove the permanent, sacramental bond, conferred at baptism, linking the individual to the Body of Christ," Cardinal Herranz concluded.
The document has been transmitted by Benedict XVI to the presidents of all episcopal conferences.
Cardinal Herranz, 76, retired today as president of the pontifical council.
The above article is reposted from Zenit.
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
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CajunRick
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Posted: Thu Feb 15th, 2007 11:32 pm |
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The document above specifies, for the first time, the actions necessary for a Catholic to formally renounce the Catholic faith.
A formal renunciation is necessary for a Catholic to be freed from the obligation to follow Church law in matters such as marriage regulations.
Unless a Catholic formally renounces the faith, he is bound by all of the Church's regulations, even if he joins and attends another church and/or accepts baptism in that church.
For example, a person who is a baptized Catholic, even if that person is never catechized or receives any additional sacraments, is obliged to be married in the presence of an official witness of the Church, such as a priest or deacon.
This document will clarify the teaching of the Church so that there will be fewer doubts as to the validity of the marriage of a Catholic married outside the Church who later reverts back to the faith.
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
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Darlene
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Posted: Sun Feb 18th, 2007 01:39 pm |
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cajunrick wrote:
Despite all this, "the fulfillment of the formal act of defection from the Catholic Church does not remove the permanent, sacramental bond, conferred at baptism, linking the individual to the Body of Christ," Cardinal Herranz concluded.
Rick, Can you clarify the above statement? Darlene
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The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. II Corinthians 13:14
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CajunRick
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Posted: Sun Feb 18th, 2007 02:46 pm |
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Darlene wrote: cajunrick wrote: Despite all this, "the fulfillment of the formal act of defection from the Catholic Church does not remove the permanent, sacramental bond, conferred at baptism, linking the individual to the Body of Christ," Cardinal Herranz concluded.
Can you clarify the above statement?
Once a person is baptized, they remain baptized. Once a person is baptized Catholic, they will remain Catholic even if they have formally defected. Should they decide to return to the Church, they will not be required to be baptized or confirmed again, or make their first communion again. Basically they would need to make a formal profession of faith and go to confession, or fulfill whatever other requirements might be necessary (i.e., obtain permission from the bishop or pope in certain cases) to return to the faith.
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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Darlene
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Posted: Sun Feb 18th, 2007 03:54 pm |
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cajunrick wrote: Darlene wrote: cajunrick wrote: Despite all this, "the fulfillment of the formal act of defection from the Catholic Church does not remove the permanent, sacramental bond, conferred at baptism, linking the individual to the Body of Christ," Cardinal Herranz concluded.
Can you clarify the above statement?
Once a person is baptized, they remain baptized. Once a person is baptized Catholic, they will remain Catholic even if they have formally defected. Should they decide to return to the Church, they will not be required to be baptized or confirmed again, or make their first communion again. Basically they would need to make a formal profession of faith and go to confession, or fulfill whatever other requirements might be necessary (i.e., obtain permission from the bishop or pope in certain cases) to return to the faith.
Rick,
Are any additional requirements made of an ex-Catholic who openly and emphatically spoke out against the Catholic Church and turned many Catholics away from the Church? That is, they defected from the Catholic Church, renouncing the sacraments and speaking out against the doctrines of the Church. Or would such actions need only be repented of in Confession? I just wondered about this, since I know Catholics that would fit this description.
Darlene
____________________
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. II Corinthians 13:14
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CajunRick
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Posted: Sun Feb 18th, 2007 09:15 pm |
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Darlene wrote: Are any additional requirements made of an ex-Catholic who openly and emphatically spoke out against the Catholic Church and turned many Catholics away from the Church? That is, they defected from the Catholic Church, renouncing the sacraments and speaking out against the doctrines of the Church. Or would such actions need only be repented of in Confession? I just wondered about this, since I know Catholics that would fit this description.
There could be, depending on individual circumstances. Some cases are reserved to the bishop and some to the pope, but each case would have to be judged individually. That's beyond our competence in this forum, and we're not qualified to make that judgment anyway.
The procedure would be to check with a priest, who then would check with the bishop or Judicial Vicar as needed, and they would refer the case to Rome if they judged it necessary.
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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Steven Barrett
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| Joined: | Tue Nov 14th, 2006 |
| Location: | Hadley, Massachusetts USA |
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| First Name: | Steven | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic, Episcopal communicant, Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Tue Feb 20th, 2007 04:31 pm |
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Cajunrick, this is a great posting. It's going to be a great service and relief for many lapsed Catholics, or those, who like myself, strayed from the right sheep pen and wanted to come back without a lot of ceremony, etc.
I used to think the old line "Once a Catholic always a Catholic" was a "party-line" joke used to reassure nervous nellies that they weren't headed for hell in a handbasket.
In many respects, this newly released document is a wonderful testimony to the Church's love for her children.
Let's face it, we really have to botch things up on a colossal scale to be tossed out of The Church. Compare this to so many Protestant churches and sects who throw people out for some of the most ridiculous reasons.
Like the late Jimmy Breslin used to say, "Nobody ever leaves The Catholic Church!"
Some of us just stray away too often.
____________________
For anybody interested in reading commentary from a Catholic's socially conservative/fiscally liberal viewpoint, go to my new blog at http://www.politicsramble.com/ .
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Steven Barrett
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Posted: Tue Feb 20th, 2007 04:50 pm |
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Darlene,
Back in the "Dark Ages" for liberation theologians, priests who thought it was okay to snub "Humane Vitae," nuns advocating to be priests, etc., and Der Panzerkardinal was Pope John Paul II's Grand Inquisitor, NOBODY was tossed out of The Church. Not even the Sandinista priests! And, not even Frances Kissling who never saw an abortion she wouldn't pass up an opportunity to advocate for and stick it to the Vatican.
Since Der Panzerkardinal became Pope Benedict XVI, NOBODY has been heaved out any church doors. Defrocked, yes. But those guys had it coming no matter who succeeded John Paul the Great. That great supporter of matrimony, Abp. Mingo from Africa hasn't been chucked out for marrying some gal in a Moonie ceremony of all things!
The Catholic Church, will for years to come, as it has in the past, be subject to callous canards concerning how "strict" she is towards her wayward or should I say, more inventive, children. Perhaps though, this clarification of what it takes to boot her incorrigible ones out on the street, will give us a "kinder and gentler" image.
____________________
For anybody interested in reading commentary from a Catholic's socially conservative/fiscally liberal viewpoint, go to my new blog at http://www.politicsramble.com/ .
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CajunRick
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Posted: Tue Feb 20th, 2007 05:08 pm |
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Steven Barrett wrote: That great supporter of matrimony, Abp. Mingo from Africa hasn't been chucked out for marrying some gal in a Moonie ceremony of all things!
Archbishop Milingo has been excommunicated, however, not because he got married but because he has ordained priests in violation of a Vatican order. See this thread for the story.
Excommunication is a recognition that a person has separated himself from the Church by willfully violating Church law. He is, however, still Catholic.
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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Darlene
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Posted: Tue Feb 20th, 2007 05:42 pm |
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cajunrick wrote: Steven Barrett wrote: That great supporter of matrimony, Abp. Mingo from Africa hasn't been chucked out for marrying some gal in a Moonie ceremony of all things!
Archbishop Milingo has been excommunicated, however, not because he got married but because he has ordained priests in violation of a Vatican order. See this thread for the story.
Excommunication is a recognition that a person has separated himself from the Church by willfully violating Church law. He is, however, still Catholic.
But the question can be begged, what kind of Catholic??
Darlene
____________________
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. II Corinthians 13:14
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CajunRick
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Posted: Tue Feb 20th, 2007 06:08 pm |
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Darlene wrote: cajunrick wrote: Excommunication is a recognition that a person has separated himself from the Church by willfully violating Church law. He is, however, still Catholic.
But the question can be begged, what kind of Catholic??
The kind who gets excommunicated!
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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Steven Barrett
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Posted: Wed Feb 21st, 2007 12:34 am |
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The kind of "catholic" who really knows how to mess things up in big fashion! 
____________________
For anybody interested in reading commentary from a Catholic's socially conservative/fiscally liberal viewpoint, go to my new blog at http://www.politicsramble.com/ .
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