Replies

I would suspect that the vast majority of those that have left the Roman Catholic Church or have stopped attending did not do so because they were unfamiliar with the teachings and practices of the church. This attempt is little more than a feel good effort on the part of those that wish to reach out to former Catholics.

Agreed. Consider that this effort is called "Catholics Come Home", lending credence to the idea that these non-participants are (still) Catholic. Meanwhile, many überCatholics^TM will cite latae sententiae and various canon laws to argue that these same people shouldn't be considered Catholic at all. So if the überCatholics^TM are right, what kind of message is this ad campaign really sending?

10 posted on 09/06/2009 4:19:40 PM PDT by Alex Murphy (One man, alone! Betrayed by the country he loves, now its last hope in their final hour of need!)

Such an interesting exchange between two people, neither of whom is Catholic. Why do either of you care what estranged Catholics choose to do?

Meanwhile, many überCatholicsTM will cite latae sententiae and various canon laws to argue that these same people shouldn't be considered Catholic at all.

Someone who is excommunicated (whether latae sententiae or ferendae sententiae) is still a Catholic. They aren't Catholics in good standing, however.

But why do you think someone who has been missing Mass is latae sententiae excommunicated?