Free Republic
Browse · Search
Smoky Backroom
Topics · Post Article

To: jec41; curiosity; Skooz
Let's nitpick:

Hitler was baptized in a Catholic church, he never renounced Catholicism, never converted to another faith, and was never excommunicated.

I may be wrong, but I think that qualifies as a Catholic under canon law.
339 posted on 05/12/2006 7:12:29 PM PDT by Virginia-American
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 338 | View Replies ]


To: Virginia-American

He didn't attend confession, mass or catechism. He did not partake of the sacrements.


373 posted on 05/12/2006 7:59:19 PM PDT by Skooz (Chastity prays for me, piety sings...Modesty hides my thighs in her wings...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 339 | View Replies ]

To: Virginia-American; Campion
Sorry about the tardiness of this reply, but I didn't see it until now.

Hitler was baptized in a Catholic church, he never renounced Catholicism, never converted to another faith, and was never excommunicated.

Actually, under Canon Law, there's something called latae sententae excommunication, under which a person is automatically excommunicated upon commission of certain offenses, without any bishop having to declare it.

Freeper Campion, a couple years ago, pointed out that Hitler did in fact commit acts that resulted in his latae sententae excommunication:

"The first time he committed or instigated a violent act against a priest or religious (1934, for sure, but maybe before then), OR the first time he stole or intentionally destroyed church property (1939, if not earlier), OR the first time he authorized or promoted, or forced an abortion for anyone (Jews and Poles were victimized by forced abortion during the Holocaust), he was excommunicated automatically, according to canon law."

So to answer your question, under Canon Law, Hitler was not legally a Catholic from at least 1934, and probably earlier, his statements to the contrary notwithstanding.

981 posted on 05/14/2006 7:22:22 PM PDT by curiosity
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 339 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Smoky Backroom
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson