Dr Edward Peters: Resources for Understanding and Applying Canon 915

[ANNE_2]

Code of Canon Law:
" Can. 915 Those who have been excommunicated or interdicted after the imposition or declaration of the penalty **and others obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin **are not to be admitted to holy communion. "

While doing some research for another thread, I found this link by Canon Lawyer, Peter Edwards about Canon 915, which you may find interesting.
He also provides links to documentation including quotes from Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict), Cardinal Raymond Burke, and others you will recognize.

Dr. Peters writes:
" Serious discussion of Canon 915 requires access to key documents on the law and awareness of the positions taken thereon by qualified commentators. I have developed a webpage for those who wish to understand, and perhaps contribute to, the discussions on the application of Canon 915 in the life of the Church. I will try to update the page as feasible. "

You may want to save this link as a favorite for future reference.
canonlaw.info/canonlaw915.htm

Canon 915 has been discussed in recent years in regard to Catholic Politicians who obstinately and publically support abortion, same-sex marriage and other grave sins.

The mortal sin of “SCANDAL” is included in the “Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition.”

 

[paduard]

To my knowledge the reference to sin as Mortal is not found in the Catechism of The Catholic Church.

 

[ANNE_2]

Of signifcant importance (in the links provided by Dr. Peters) is the finding of **Cardinal Raymond Burke, **who was appointed by Pope Benedict as the “Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura” -
the highest judicial authority in the Catholic Church (apart from the Pope himself, who as the supreme ecclesiastical judge, is the final point of appeal for any ecclesiastical judgment).
In addition, this office oversees the administration of justice in the Church.

therealpresence.org/eucharst/holycom/denial.htm

It specifically addresses issues in the USA by the USCCB and a few US Bishops regarding Canon 915. The following are QUOTES.

" If the lack of right disposition is serious and public, and the person, nevertheless, approaches to receive the Sacrament, then he is to be admonished and denied Holy Communion.
In other words, the Church cannot remain silent and indifferent to a public offense against the Body and Blood of Christ. "

All of the “Conclusions” are important. Here are only a few of the findings - - -

" Fourthly, the discipline applies to any public conduct which is gravely sinful, that is, which violates the law of God in a serious matter.
Certainly, the public support of policies and laws which, in the teaching of the Magisterium, are in grave violation of the natural moral law falls under the discipline."

"Finally, the discipline must be applied in order to avoid serious scandal, for example, the erroneous acceptance of procured abortion against the constant teaching of the moral law.
No matter how often a Bishop or priest repeats the teaching of the Church regarding procured abortion, if he stands by and does nothing to discipline a Catholic who publicly supports legislation permitting the gravest of injustices and, at the same time, presents himself to receive Holy Communion, then his teaching rings hollow.
To remain silent is to permit serious confusion regarding a fundamental truth of the moral law. Confusion, of course, is one of the most insidious fruits of scandalous behavior. "

 

[ANNE_2]

To my knowledge the reference to sin as Mortal is not found in the Catechism of The Catholic Church.

The words -
“Grave Sin” is used in 23 different paragraphs;
“Mortal Sin” is used in 21 different paragraphs;
in the “Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition”.

Mortal sins are Grave Sins and visa versa.

Here is a good link; you can type in the words and get the info.
scborromeo.org/ccc.htm
(Please note that this site was granted copyright permission by the Holy See.)

 

[paduard]

The words -
“Grave Sin” is used in 23 different paragraphs;
“Mortal Sin” is used in 21 different paragraphs;
in the “Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition”.

Mortal sins are Grave Sins and visa versa.

Here is a good link; you can type in the words and get the info.
scborromeo.org/ccc.htm
(Please note that this site was granted copyright permission by the Holy See.)

Thank you for those references. I apologise for assuming that the definition of mortal sin was not in the CCC.

Best Wishes.