"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!
Thanks, Maryz, for your comments and good links (which answered many of my follow-up questions as well :). It looks like these politicians would be excommunicated automatically on two counts. It would seem to me that these politicians, along with all of the Catholics who actually think abortion is OK (and still regularly attend Mass, etc.) would either not accept or be in denial of their own excommunication.
Based on what I know of Catholic theology, that would appear to leave a large number (not percentage) of souls in great eternal peril. These folks would be living in a constant state of mortal sin, so every Eucharist taken would be improper, and every confession/absolution would be void (assuming no confession on the issue). I know there are "outs" that allow some outside of the Church to be saved nonetheless, however, my "guess" would be that the standards God would apply to those who have accepted the Roman Catholic faith would be higher. I'm thinking of a sort of reverse "invincible ignorance" argument. I don't know if it applies though.
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!).
Yes, I was wondering what the legal ramifications were on holding out a building as a "Catholic Church". I imagine that if I opened a building with the signage "FK's Catholic Church of Reformed Theology", that I would get quite a few phone calls and letters. :) I'm not sure what international intellectual property rights the Vatican actually owns, if any. If a new and legitimate Roman Catholic Church opened today, who would have to sanction it for it to be "official"?
“The name is withheld to protect the guilty — who don’t want to lose their jobs — with the Church!”
Good point.
I’m guessing these ladies are DRE’s.
Or are leading their parish RCIA programs.