Excommunication and scrupulosity

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TerryFrancisJr

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I know Heresy is one of the things considered an automatic excommunication, but what exactly constitutes heresy? I ask because I have denied Church teachings in the past, before I believed it was seriously wrong. I also went through a period where I believed Church teachings, but stayed in mortal sin and stopped ‘caring’. I sometimes tried to convince myself that God didn’t exist just to comfort myself and make myself feel less guilty.

Recently, I was talking to someone, and gave an opinion on something that I thought might have been contrary to Church teaching. I was wrong, but at the time I thought it could’ve been against Church teaching. I convinced myself that I was obligated to correct myself to him, but hesitated because I was trying to find a non-embarassing way to phrase it. I had started to make my point to him, but was interrupted by the person speaking at the place we were at. When the speaker was done, I had a thought, “I’ll just not correct myself, and if I find out it’s considered heresy, I’ll deal with excommunication later.”. I quickly gave into the thought for a few seconds, but stopped myself agreeing with the thought, and decided to explain it to him more. Was that hesitation or the quick agreement with the thought grounds for automatic excommunication? Technically, my intention remains the same, regardless of whether or not what I said was actually heresy.

Also, I go to Mass in the mornings sometimes during the week. I was thinking earlier about whether I would receive Communion in the morning if it turned out I was excommunicated. I briefly thought about how easy and tempting it would be, and thought “Yes, I’d probably do that.” For a second, consciously. I put up a weak resistance against the thought, was drawn to it and thought it again briefly (1 or 2 times), but in the end, rejected it. This has happened a couple of times since. Was this also grounds for it?

I’m scrupulous, so I’m very lost on this.

EDIT: 2nd paragraph, I meant to say I gave in for a few seconds.
 
TerryFrancisJr said:
I know Heresy is one of the things considered an automatic excommunication, but what exactly constitutes heresy? I ask because I have denied Church teachings in the past, before I believed it was seriously wrong. I also went through a period where I believed Church teachings, but stayed in mortal sin and stopped ‘caring’. I sometimes tried to convince myself that God didn’t exist just to comfort myself and make myself feel less guilty.

Recently, I was talking to someone, and gave an opinion on something that I thought might have been contrary to Church teaching. I was wrong, but at the time I thought it could’ve been against Church teaching. I convinced myself that I was obligated to correct myself to him, but hesitated because I was trying to find a non-embarassing way to phrase it. I had started to make my point to him, but was interrupted by the person speaking at the place we were at. When the speaker was done, I had a thought, “I’ll just not correct myself, and if I find out it’s considered heresy, I’ll deal with excommunication later.”. I quickly gave into the thought for a few seconds, but stopped myself agreeing with the thought, and decided to explain it to him more. Was that hesitation or the quick agreement with the thought grounds for automatic excommunication? Technically, my intention remains the same, regardless of whether or not what I said was actually heresy.

Also, I go to Mass in the mornings sometimes during the week. I was thinking earlier about whether I would receive Communion in the morning if it turned out I was excommunicated. I briefly thought about how easy and tempting it would be, and thought “Yes, I’d probably do that.” For a second, consciously. I put up a weak resistance against the thought, was drawn to it and thought it again briefly (1 or 2 times), but in the end, rejected it. This has happened a couple of times since. Was this also grounds for it?

I’m scrupulous, so I’m very lost on this.

EDIT: 2nd paragraph, I meant to say I gave in for a few seconds.
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In short, if a Catholic rejects/denies or has an obstinate doubt about any infallible teaching of the Church that is heresy.

CCC 2089 Incredulity is the neglect of revealed truth or the willful refusal to assent to it. "Heresy is the obstinate post-baptismal denial of some truth which must be believed with divine and catholic faith, or it is likewise an obstinate doubt concerning the same; apostasy is the total repudiation of the Christian faith; schism is the refusal of submission to the Roman Pontiff or of communion with the members of the Church subject to him."
 
thistle said:
In short, if a Catholic rejects/denies or has an obstinate doubt about any infallible teaching of the Church that is heresy.

CCC 2089 Incredulity is the neglect of revealed truth or the willful refusal to assent to it. "Heresy is the obstinate post-baptismal denial of some truth which must be believed with divine and catholic faith, or it is likewise an obstinate doubt concerning the same; apostasy is the total repudiation of the Christian faith; schism is the refusal of submission to the Roman Pontiff or of communion with the members of the Church subject to him."
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Would the fact that I thought the original action of not correcting myself was heresy make me guilty of it, or excommunicated? Or any of the other things I mentioned doing?
 
thistle said:
In short, if a Catholic rejects/denies or has an obstinate doubt about any infallible teaching of the Church that is heresy.

CCC 2089 Incredulity is the neglect of revealed truth or the willful refusal to assent to it. "Heresy is the obstinate post-baptismal denial of some truth which must be believed with divine and catholic faith, or it is likewise an obstinate doubt concerning the same; apostasy is the total repudiation of the Christian faith; schism is the refusal of submission to the Roman Pontiff or of communion with the members of the Church subject to him."
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Also, was it wrong of me to wait for help here, instead of going to a priest? It’s be pretty embarassing to go to him, since I know him pretty well. I would have to wait until This weekend to see a priest I’d be comfortable sharing this with. Is it alright to wait longer for guidance here?
 
It is very important for one struggling with Scrupulosity --to have a regular confessor whom he confides in and who can direct him. If you do not yet have one --please seek one out. Such is the age old practice.

He can guide you…🙂
 
Bookcat said:
It is very important for one struggling with Scrupulosity --to have a regular confessor whom he confides in and who can direct him. If you do not yet have one --please seek one out. Such is the age old practice.

He can guide you…🙂
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I’m actually not able to get to one soon. Is doing this acceptable, instead of emailing another priest I know? I wouldn’t feel comfortable at all talking about this outside of confession.
 
yes you are being scrupulous, and you need to have a regular confessor who can help you sort thorugh these compulsive thoughts.
 
1ke said:
yes you are being scrupulous, and you need to have a regular confessor who can help you sort thorugh these compulsive thoughts.
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I keep feeling like I have to keep looking for advice from priests (via email) tonight. Is it alright if I just stop seeking advice on this now? I feel that I may be being scrupulous, but I don’t trust myself. Should I just stop thinking about this?
 
Do yourself a favor. Say the Rosary before you go to bed tonight. Ask the Blessed Mother to guide you. You will be amazed at the result.
In addition, stop making excuses to yourself about not being able to see a priest or go to confession. I don’t know how old you are, or where you are located; but if you are in the US or Canada, or anywhere in an Urban setting in the UK or Europe, you are never too far from a Catholic Church. All you have to do is go to a Catholic rectory and ask to see a priest. They are always available to hear a confession. If you are a minor, ask your parents to take you. There should be no problem if they are Catholics.
 
The penalty of excommunication for heresy only applies to formal heresy, not to mere material heresy.

Material heresy is the obstinate denial or obstinate doubt of some truth which must be believed with divine and catholic faith. Material heresy is objectively a grave sin.

Formal heresy is material heresy committed with knowledge and consent. The person who commits formal heresy is a Catholic who realizes that he or she is denying an infallible teaching of the Magisterium (a required belief), and yet freely chooses to deny that teaching anyway. Only formal heresy excommunicates.

Both types of heresy require obstinacy, so a passing doubt or a passing thought can never be heresy of any kind. The type of doubt that applies to heresy is a willfully chosen doubt, not feelings or passing thoughts.

Heresy only applies to teachings that are infallible. The denial or doubt of a non-infallible teaching may be sinful, but it is not the sin of heresy.
 
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