Excommunication is an act precipitated by ones own choices and actions. It does not require formal Church acknowledgment and recognition. Hitler was, by his own actions, not in Communion with the Church; excommunicated.
Nice try, but still no dice.
Was he, or was he not formally excommunicated by the Roman Catholic Church? Luther was, was he not?
Hoss
ok,, i accept that Hitlers actions may have instantly excommunicated him. But if that is the case,, why are others excommunicated more explicitly and publicly? What would they have lost by doing it publicly? What would have been so wrong to expect the alleged representative of God on earth to clearly state that all Nazis and communists are officially excommunicated? Has it ever been done?
Seems like a small thing to ask of someone who claims to bear the legacy of Peter.
Then the same could be said about Luther. But the Catholic church went out of its way to make it official for him.
Why for him and not for Hitler?