[old republic]

Isn't the penalty of automatic excommunication a ridiculous concept? Doesn't every mortal sin automatically excommunicate a person? After all every grave sin separates one from communion with the body of Christ and one who has committed such a sin (like one who is excommunicated) cannot receive any of the sacraments licitly save for confession.

The whole point of excommunication was to prevent public scandal by formally proclaiming that judgment upon the unrepentant sinner. There is no such thing as a private excommunication which is effectively what automatic excommunication is. It does nearly nothing to prevent scandal, especially since many priests still give communion to those who are known to have committed a sin that incurs this penalty anyway. (So what is the point of an automatic excommunication) If a tree falls in the woods and no one hears it does it make a sound? The code of canon law needs to be revised to revive the old rite of excommunication and the bishops need to get a little more courage and actually use excommunication ferendae rather than these pointless latae sententiae excommunications that seem to never be enforced anyway.

[ichabod1]

I think the point is just because nobody saw you and you didn't get caught doesn't mean you're off the hook. You're excommunicated immediately, ipso facto. Getting it pronounced publicly later provided humiliation, and could also proceed criminal charges, which could result in losing your head, depending on the time, location, and seriousness of the charge. I should think abortion, having one or committing one, was probably something you could be sentenced to death for.