Excommunication

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Let's say a catholic woman got an abortion. It is an automatic excommunication but she does not know this but later gets married into the Catholic Church without repenting of that sin. After a few years she later learns that the abortion that she previously had excommunicated herself. She then realizes her errors and repents bringing herself back into the Church. Is her marriage still valid since she married while excommunicated?

-- D Joseph (newfiedufie@msn.com), May 20, 2004

Answers

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-- D Joseph (newfiedufie@msn.com), May 20, 2004.

For starters a person is not automatic excommunicated for having an abortion but she can fall into grave sin unless somehow she did not know that abortion was a grave sin then she may still be in some state of grace.

So if this person gets married in the Church while not having repented for any grave sins dose not change the fact that it is/was a valid sacrament and the marriage is still valid. But the Church teaches that in order to receive all the graces from marriage you must repent all of your mortal sins in the sacrament of reconciliation prier to receiving the sacrament of marriage.

Steven S

-- Steven S (gschneiders@hotmail.com), May 21, 2004.


She should talk to a priest about this. Its sad it took her to relise that she was excommunicated before she repented for killing her baby.

She must realy be sorry for killing the baby. The Blood of Christ can wash away any sin if someone truly is sorry for offending our Lord and killing a innocent baby. But this Lady needs to get her but to Confession and talk to a Catholic priest.

This is the easy way out asking in forum. I think she should make a appointment as soon as posible with a holy priest that will help her with this sad situation.

Knowone knows what was in this person mind at the time the baby was slaughtered. Maybe the Lady didn't know how evil abortion is at the time?

God loves all His children and thats why we have Confession and the holy Eucharist. We need to keep praying for each other in front of the Blessed Sacrament, and we need to keep going to Confession because we all are SINNERS! [Even a holy Lady like Miss Isabel is a sinner]

God knows that we can't see or touch Him, but he gives us the ability to be able to love Him.

God is great!

-- - (David@excite.com), May 21, 2004.


Well said David. But I suspect this lady repented, or felt sorrow even before she realized she was excommunicated. There has been such a poor catechesis of the laity in recent decades that I am pleased that this Kerry business is bringing the issue of abortion and mortal sin to the attention of many who don't realize that abortion is a mortal sin. This realization may come, and often has come after an abortion has already been performed. But as you say God loves all His children and thats why we have Confession and the holy Eucharist. Many, many, many pro-lifers have had abortions. Many, many, many women have had abortions (and men have supported those abortions or forced those abortions) and come to realize the error of their ways, and become some of the holiest and most devout people. Saint Gianna Mola pray for us.

-- Brian Crane (brian.crane@cranemills.com), May 21, 2004.

Steven, are you sure about your statement that a person is not automatically excommunicated in having an abortion because the Catechism and Canon Law don't seem to back you up on this? The Catechism states the following concerning abortion and "latae sentinae" - automatic excommunication:

2272 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 sentinae," (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)

-- Ed (catholic4444@yahoo.ca), May 21, 2004.



We had a very long debate on this issue in the thread AUTOMATIC EXCOMMUNICATION.

-- Mark (aujus_1066@yahoo.com), May 21, 2004.

Go with David's advice: Honestly repent, and confess to your priest. Can't beat that for washing away sin.

Frank

-- Someone (ChimingIn@twocents.cam), May 21, 2004.


ED,

With out reading the thread AUTOMATIC EXCOMMUNICATION. I will kind of agree with you. My statement was based on the fact that this person did not know that and abortion was a sin. I know it can be hard to believe but there are many Catholics out there that do not know that abortion is a sin.

Steven

-- Steven S (gschneiders@hotmail.com), May 21, 2004.


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