If you leave the RCC

[jesusluv]

In another thread about what the church thinks about a person leaving the RCC to become EO, someone made the statement that you had to inform the bishop of your diocese in order to leave the church. I asked why and no one every said anything else about it.

So, why in the world would a person have to inform their bishop, who more than likely has no clue who they are, if you left the church?

 

[kentuckyliz]

I don’t think you have to, it’s a courtesy. The bishop is the shepherd of the flock in his diocese and it’s just a part of tending the flock. No one is going to harass anyone trying to leave or shun them or bar the door and lock them in and make things difficult. “Oh, no, not the Comfy Chair!”

But you can sneak out if you want to. heh heh heh Most folks probably just fade away or disappear and don’t bother notifying anyone even in their own parish church much less the bishop.

 

[lak611]

In another thread about what the church thinks about a person leaving the RCC to become EO, someone made the statement that you had to inform the bishop of your diocese in order to leave the church. I asked why and no one every said anything else about it.

So, why in the world would a person have to inform their bishop, who more than likely has no clue who they are, if you left the church?

Here is a post that explains formal defection.

 

[AgnosTheist]

So, why in the world would a person have to inform their bishop, who more than likely has no clue who they are, if you left the church?

to give the RCC a chance to convince you to stay.

 

[lak611]

to give the RCC a chance to convince you to stay.

It sounds more like they want to ensure that a person really understands what he is doing and that he is doing this freely, without any coercion. Is he freely consenting, and does he understand fully the ramifications of his defection?

 

[puzzleannie]

you may find that the orthodox priest or bishop who receives you insists that you formally leave the Catholic Church, through the canonical process, and will insist on a long period of preparation and discernment before you are received, and you may be rebaptized. This may be shortened if you are marrying an Orthodox Christian, but not necessarily. It would be best to inquire of the priest in the church you are considering. as always, what I would advise anyone who is leaving the Catholic Church, you owe it to yourself to first spend more time in study of the issues which are causing you difficulty and spend the time in discernment and prayer before you consider such a course of action.