It would not have necessarily Excommunicated her from the Catholic Church. It would be seen as a public statement of leaving the Catholic Faith, “joining another Christian Community”. Her action would need to be examined by her Pastor and Bishop to determine it’s exact effect. For her to return to Catholic unity she would need to speak with her Pastor and the returning process could take a range of things. Including Reconciliation, Completion of her initiation Sacraments if she had not been Confirmed prior to leaving, it might require a profession of Faith, it also might require a series of classes on he Catholic faith. This is in line with the thinking that she may not have known her faith very well to begin with , which is why she so easily left in the first place.I have a young friend who left the Church for a non-denom church. She was “rededicated” (read: Baptized) in this new church.
It is my understanding that her re-Baptism excommunicated her from the Church.
If she were to come home, what would she have to do to return to full Communion?
She was “not being challenged”, and feel into the New Age pit many young adults fall into. It was a young man that belongs to the Church that she now belongs to that brought back to Christianity. Unfortunately, the diocese she lives in does not offer much by way of Young Adult faith instruction, which is what left her out in the cold in the first place (if any of this is making sense, and I only have her word on all of this anyway).It would not have necessarily Excommunicated her from the Catholic Church. It would be seen as a public statement of leaving the Catholic Faith, “joining another Christian Community”. Her action would need to be examined by her Pastor and Bishop to determine it’s exact effect. For her to return to Catholic unity she would need to speak with her Pastor and the returning process could take a range of things. Including Reconciliation, Completion of her initiation Sacraments if she had not been Confirmed prior to leaving, it might require a profession of Faith, it also might require a series of classes on he Catholic faith. This is in line with the thinking that she may not have known her faith very well to begin with , which is why she so easily left in the first place.
But her 4 or 5 good Apologetic/Catechetical CD’s to take on her trip and listen to on the bus or airplane or while there. Give them to her just before she leaves.She was “not being challenged”, and feel into the New Age pit many young adults fall into. It was a young man that belongs to the Church that she now belongs to that brought back to Christianity. Unfortunately, the diocese she lives in does not offer much by way of Young Adult faith instruction, which is what left her out in the cold in the first place (if any of this is making sense, and I only have her word on all of this anyway).
sigh She is confused on many things. She was initially open to discussion regarding the Faith, but since she has been preparing for this mission trip with her new denomination, there hasn’t been much talk. I just continue to pray for her.
I emailed the link for some CDs to her mother to give to her. I am praying that she listens to them.But her 4 or 5 good Apologetic/Catechetical CD’s to take on her trip and listen to on the bus or airplane or while there. Give them to her just before she leaves.