Yes, that makes sense. As an outsider, I have been very blessed over the last year and a half to have learned much about the Roman Catholic faith from good Catholic Freepers. I know the cranks in the article are not practicing Catholicism. The other arena I think I've heard the term "excommunicated latae sententiae" was regarding publicly pro-abortion politicians taking the Eucharist. Is that correct? It may not be since it is my understanding that a priest or Bishop has some discretion on whether to administer the sacrament in those cases, so I wouldn't think that he (priest) would excommunicate himself for "participating".
Attempting to ordain is more accurate.
That's what I figured. I noticed that the ceremony did not take place in a Catholic Church, and presumably never will.
From all orthodox scholarship, there is no evidence that Mary Magdalene was considered an apostle on par with the Twelve and their successors.
I agree. With something that big, if that was God's intent He would have told us so.
"Latae sententiae" is basically automatic excommunication, without an actual decree. It's been most commonly discussed in recent years in connection with abortion. There are several bishops who have made it plain that they will not give Communion to politicians who support abortion. Other bishops are, shall we say, more lax. I think the Pope has said that pro-abortion politicians should not receive.
It's unclear exactly where the "ceremony" took place -- a poster above thinks those square things look like Stations of the Cross, which would mean it is a Catholic church of sorts (yes, sadly, some of them do look like that nowadays!). I think the article says it's some sort of "interfaith community" (whatever that means) near Santa Barbara. The name is withheld to protect the guilty -- who don't want to lose their jobs -- with the Church!
Glad to see you’re on the same page... I saw you just echoed that one paragraph from the article when you pinged me, so I wasn’t sure where you were going, and I figured that a commentary on it wouldn’t hurt and might actually help some other FReepers and lurkers.
It seems maryz has you squared away on your other questions; I think you have a good handle on the whole subject... probably better than a lot of Catholics.
God Bless!