excommunication condemns no-one to hell, repentance and reinstatement are always possible.Even if neither is done, the church makes no comment whatsoever as to the repose of one's soul. Condemnation is in the hands of God but through the actions of the condemned.
As far as the retention of sin is concerned, forgiveness or retention of sin is done through the church, not by the church. Christ alone can forgive or retain a sin, the priest merely says the words which ask God to forgive the sin. If the priest does not feel that the penitant has fulfilled whatever steps necessary to obtain absolution, he would advise him/her of that fact and explain what the person must do to obtain the absolution
Golly; I hope none of those ignorant PROTs have the audacity to post yet MORE Catholic teaching on this subject!
--Catholic_Wannabe_Dude(I'm avoiding dealing with the stuff they've already posted now!)