Excommunication facts

* Excommunication is a "medicinal penalty" intended to correct the culprit and bring him back to the path of righteousness

* It is the most serious penalty that the Catholic Church can inflict

* It deprives clerics and laymen of all their rights in Christian society

* Purpose is to prevent the recurrence of certain acts that have grievous external consequences -- such as heresy

* The excommunicated person does not cease to be a Christian, since baptism can never be effaced -- he can however be considered as an exile from the Christian society

* Once the culprit has been excommunicated, he can no longer be a full member of the church on Earth and for eternity (including Heaven)

* He may not participate in public worship nor receive the Body of Christ or any sacraments

* Not condemned to hell but no longer a member of the catholic society

* Always removed by absolution through the repenting of sins. The person can be wholly reinstated in his former position.

* Ecclesiastical authority has the right to impose certain conditions for the return of the culprit

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