Excommunication

[Nov1411]

Depending upon the offense, the person can in fact start with Reconciliation. Many priests have been given faculties to lift excommunication for certain offenses (for example abortion) from their bishop. So the penitent can be reconciled with the Church and excommunication lifted at the same time.

For other offenses, especially those imposed by a juridic process (for example, specific people under excommunication for actions, writings, etc) that would need to start with an apointment with their bishop, or in some cases contact with the Holy See.

Of course. That is the whole purpose of excommunication-- to communicate the gravity of the offense and encourage repentance and conversion in the excommunicated party.

Oh okay. Thanks for clearing that up for me!

 

[dans0622]

Is it recommended for an excommunicated person to not attend religious festivals such as the Flores de Mayo, receive commendations from organizations with true Catholic sponsorship, and visit pilgrimage sites until he has made valid reparations with the Church through Reconciliation? …

Hello,

In addition to what has been said, I would point out that an excommunicated person is not allowed to receive or administer any Sacraments or have any “ministerial” participation in any ceremony of worship (see canon 1331.1). It is understood that “passive” participation is allowed: just sitting in the pew at Mass, for example, is ok and since an excommunicated person is still required to attend Mass every Sunday and Holy Day, this is mandatory participation. Similar participation in festivals and such should be fine, consequently. “Receiving commendations” would certainly be wrong if the excommunication is imposed or declared (i.e., the penalty is a publicly known fact; see c. 1331.2.4).

This section of the Code can be found here: vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P4X.HTM

Dan