We do not say that these people are in a state of sin: we say that we believe that they are not Christian based upon what we believe that they are saying or doing and expel them from Christian brotherhood. We do not and cannot Judge them. Excommunication is not a sentence to hell - it is a Pauline expulsion from the Christian community.
If I misunderstand either your statement or the Catechism, please inform how so.
Because you indicate that the Church passes eternal Judgement. It does not and cannot. It can only operate temporally based upon the individual's actions and communications.
“Because you indicate that the Church passes eternal Judgement.”
I don’t wish to indicate that so I’ll rephrase.
The Catechism states: ““1035 The teaching of the Church affirms the existence of hell and its eternity. Immediately after death the souls of those who die in a state of mortal sin descend into hell, where they suffer the punishments of hell, “eternal fire.”
As you say, “Sure. We categorize heresy as a mortal sin”
then logically heretics, whether excommunicated by formal action or automatically, suffer the punishment set forth in the Catechism?
I understand, “It(the Church) does not and cannot.” pass eternal judgement.