- Feb 5, 2002
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This blog is a reference to this video and this podcast released the same day.
Since Apostolic days (1 Jn 5:17) the Catholic Church has delineated between venial sin and mortal sin. In the category of mortal sin, there are four sins that cry to heaven for vengeance. A small percentage of mortal sins also carry the weight of ex-communication (being cut off from the Church.) Within this category of ex-communicable sins, there are two varieties: 1) Some ex-communicable sins bring ex-communication only by declaration of the local ordinary (bishop) such as politically promoting abortion. 2) Some ex-communicable sins bring ex-communication automatically (latæ sententiæ) upon execution of the sin, like procuring an abortion. 1
Most of these sins that carry the weight of ex-communication are also called “reserved sins” because (even though a normal priest can absolve the person if waiting on Rome would be an emotional hardship) the healing of full communion with the Church is usually “reserved” to the Roman Penitentiary or the local bishop. For example, if a priest directly breaks the seal of confession, the Roman Penitentiary must normally be notified by his confessor.
Traditionally, abortion could only be absolved by the local bishop. This is another example of a “reserved” sin. However, because abortion is unfortunately so common, the average priest in good standing now has standing orders to absolve this sin and re-communicate his penitent confessing abortion. As the diocese of New Ulm, Minnesota reads:
In most places in the United States including the Diocese of New Ulm, the Diocesan Bishop has granted the priests in his diocese who have the faculties to hear confessions the additional faculty to remit the excommunication of the first procured abortion. By agreement of the Bishops of Minnesota, a priest with faculties to hear confessions in any Diocese in Minnesota can remit the automatic excommunication of the first offense of procured abortion.
Continued below.
Excommunicated After Abortion? | Padre Peregrino
Since Apostolic days (1 Jn 5:17) the Catholic Church has delineated between venial sin and mortal sin. In the category of mortal sin, there are four sins that cry to heaven for vengeance. A small percentage of mortal sins also carry the weight of ex-communication (being cut off from the Church.) Within this category of ex-communicable sins, there are two varieties: 1) Some ex-communicable sins bring ex-communication only by declaration of the local ordinary (bishop) such as politically promoting abortion. 2) Some ex-communicable sins bring ex-communication automatically (latæ sententiæ) upon execution of the sin, like procuring an abortion. 1
Most of these sins that carry the weight of ex-communication are also called “reserved sins” because (even though a normal priest can absolve the person if waiting on Rome would be an emotional hardship) the healing of full communion with the Church is usually “reserved” to the Roman Penitentiary or the local bishop. For example, if a priest directly breaks the seal of confession, the Roman Penitentiary must normally be notified by his confessor.
Traditionally, abortion could only be absolved by the local bishop. This is another example of a “reserved” sin. However, because abortion is unfortunately so common, the average priest in good standing now has standing orders to absolve this sin and re-communicate his penitent confessing abortion. As the diocese of New Ulm, Minnesota reads:
In most places in the United States including the Diocese of New Ulm, the Diocesan Bishop has granted the priests in his diocese who have the faculties to hear confessions the additional faculty to remit the excommunication of the first procured abortion. By agreement of the Bishops of Minnesota, a priest with faculties to hear confessions in any Diocese in Minnesota can remit the automatic excommunication of the first offense of procured abortion.
Continued below.
Excommunicated After Abortion? | Padre Peregrino
