Date: Mon, 6 Nov 95 04:33 CST
From: ai815@freenet.carleton.ca (Greg Erwin)
Subject: Excommunication "how to" summary

As there have been quite a few inquiries about excommunication, I hereby
present:

The essence of the excommunication file:

This leaves canon 1364, section 1 'Apostasy, heresy, or
schism'.  This involves automatic excommunication, if you
can convince the church that it applies to you.  The most
common usage of this canon is when a former Catholic
embraces another religion.  Obviously, if you are now a
Muslim, a Mormon or a Jehovah's Witness, you are
*automatically* no longer a Catholic.

It is your task to convince the church that you, as an
atheistic secular humanist, are in the same 'non-Catholic'
category as a Muslim or Buddhist.

In your favor is a nineteenth century ruling which stated
that 'those who make a public renunciation of all religion
may be subsumed under this category [apostates].'

You will need to write a letter to your current parish.  It
should include the necessary information to meet all of the
criteria for deserving to be excommunicated.  You may also
present this to your birth parish, if this is convenient.

THE CHURCH'S CRITERIA FOR MERITING EXCOMMUNICATION.  The
church is patronizing to atheists.  They can easily
recognize another superstition, but, being unfamiliar with
rationality, they have difficulty accepting the decision to
renounce all mumbo jumbo.  They have, however, officially
established these criteria for judging all cases of
excommunication:

You must ACT.  Mere thought is not enough.  You should be
able to cite memberships in freethought and humanist groups.
You should be able to cite actions you have taken, such as,
letters written, demonstrations attended, meetings attended,
magazine subscriptions, etc.  As well as negative actions,
like not attending church, not giving them any money, time
or thought for years.

You must be PERSISTENT.  This must take place over a long
period of time.  If at first you don't succeed...Cite long
commitment, and keep trying and keep writing.

You must be CONTUMACIOUS.  As in:  I am firm, you are contu-
macious, he is pig-headed.  Do not waver or indicate any
hesitation.  It is not necessary to be impolite, but do not
be unclear in your condemnation of Catholicism in order to
avoid offence.

You must be AWARE that this involves excommunication.  For
them, ignorance of canon law is an excuse.  State in your
letter that you are aware of this, that you know what the
consequences are and that this is what you wish to happen.

You have to BE A ROMAN CATHOLIC.  Obviously.  In your let-
ter, make them aware of this by telling them the parish
where you were baptised and the date.

[An occasional atheist, who had never been a Roman Catholic
thinks it would be "cool" to be excommunicated.  First, you
have to join.]

THEY HAVE A DUTY to other Roman Catholics.  Your mental
state is something that no one knows except you.  You are
the only expert on your own non-religious status.  They have
a duty to inform other Roman Catholics about this change in
you so that they do not mishandle their dealings with you.
In terms of marriage, communion, death and so on, you should
be treated as a non-Catholic.  If they fail to do this, they
are not dealing fairly with the Catholics in their charge.

So far, most cases have gone smoothly.  Using the citations
in this article seems to impress them with the idea that you
are serious, you know what you are talking about, and that
this is not a "spur or the moment" whim.  If, however, you
meet resistance, there is some heavier ammunition below.

Fill out the handy form below and send it in to your local priest.  This
may only get things started.  However, in a couple of cases I know of
reading this out loud has resulted in instant excommunication.  Be
prepared to continue for a long time.  Remember:  each person who does
this makes it easier for the next person.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
I am an atheist.  I hereby renounce all the trappings of
religion.  I renounce all blessings, benefits, graces,
sanctifications, and advantages supposedly conferred on me
by any religion or by any religious act done by me or on my
behalf in the past, present or future.  I condemn as
monstrous the idea of original sin, and renounce any baptism
done on my behalf to wash it away.  I reject as ridiculous
the idea of an atoning sacrifice and spurn its presumed
benefits.  I do not believe that any god, supernatural realm
or afterlife exists, and will not act as if they did.  I do
not believe that any book, building, place, person, thing or
action is holy and will not pretend that they are.  I do not
think that praying is anything more than talking to oneself
and will not make believe that it is.  I do not believe
that any person is more sanctified than any other, or that
any human being should be elevated above another in any way,
due to ancestry, race, gender, occupation, belief or for any
other reason and will not feign that I do.  As a principled
and rational person, it pains me that someone, somewhere may
be counting me as an adherent of an irrational superstition
which has done and is doing irreparable harm to humanity and
with which I profoundly disagree.  Please remove my name
from the records of the church, and record that I am no
longer a Roman Catholic.  Please send me confirmation of
this action.  Please do this as soon as possible.


 ___________________________

Signature

And, have a nice day :-)   !

--
Power corrupts; Absolute power corrupts absolutely;
God is all-powerful.  Draw your own conclusions.
Greg Erwin:  ai815@freenet.Carleton.ca VP, Humanist Association of Canada
godfree@magi.com "Ask me about excommunication"