237 WHEN A SIN RESULTS IN EXCOMMUNICATION

YOUCAT Lesson 237

YOUCAT the catechism for Catholic youth

237  Are there sins that are so serious that not even the average priest can forgive them?

There are sins in which a man turns completely away from God and at the same time, because of the seriousness of the deed, incurs excommunication.  When a sin results in “excommunication” absolution can be granted only by the bishop or a priest delegated by him, and, in a few cases, only by the Pope.  In danger of death, any priest can absolve from every sin and excommunication.  [1463]

…….The Gentle Mastery of Christ.     “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.    Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light." – The Gospel of Saint Matthew  11:28-30…..237

A Catholic who, for example, cooperates in an abortion automatically excludes himself from sacramental communion; the Church simply acknowledges this fact.  The purpose of “excommunication” is to correct the sinner and to lead him back to the right path.

THE MINISTER OF THIS SACRAMENT

…….1463   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. In danger of death any priest, even if deprived of faculties for hearing confessions, can absolve from every sin and excommunication.(compare Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 976; Corpus Canonum Ecclesiarm Orientalium, can. 725.)^{69 --}Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition