I sent the catholic church an email over 2 years ago requesting that I be excommunicated as I am now an atheist and have been for a long time.
I've had no reply.
Why won't they accept my wish to be excommunicated?
I'm sure if I'd sent a request to join up I would've got a reply.
2007-03-23 00:36:48 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I was told when I was confirmed at the age of 9 that it meant I was a Catholic forever, because I was older enough to make my own decisions.
I think if they dump that on kids, they deserve an email or two to discourage that behaviour
2007-03-23 00:56:44 · update #1
I wouldn't spend a lot of time worrying about it.
2007-03-23 00:40:20 · answer #1 · answered by Alex 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Since I'm not a member of the Catholic Church, and nor have I ever been, I cannot answer for their authorities.
If you are truly an atheist then what does it matter if your name is written down in a church somewhere? I was a member of the Presbyterian Church, however when we left we just left: I didn't even write as they knew we were no longer going there (that's another story). I don't hold 'membership' of any church now, and this doesn't bother me. I'm a member of the universal church of Jesus Christ which is all that matters.
Perhaps you need to re-examine your beliefs. I, too, professed to be an atheist for some time, however I knew that God did exist deep down in my heart and turned back to Him.
I pray that you find your way again. I've put down a couple of links.
Blessings, Gypsy Queen
2007-03-23 07:47:12 · answer #2 · answered by Gypsy_Queen 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
People can't be excommunicated because they ask to be. If you are now an atheist, then you have "excommunicated" yourself. Excommunication from the Catholic Church comes from the bishop of your diocese and it is because you have blasphemied the Lord.
You can just stop going to church and stop believing that God exists. Did you tell God this? He should know that you no longer believe in Him.
2007-03-23 07:53:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Automatic excommunication happens when Catholics commit certain offensives. This happens as soon as the offense is committed.
One of these offenses is Apostasy, the formal renunciation of one's religion.
It sounds like you have committed the sin of Apostasy.
So there is no reason for the Catholic Church to excommunicate you. You did it all by yourself.
Whenever you decide to return the the Church, we will welcome you back with open arms.
With love in Christ.
2007-03-23 23:52:05 · answer #4 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there are a couple of things working here-
First, once you are a Catholic, you are always a Catholic. Sorry, you can't "defect."
Second, the Church does not excommunicate people. People excommunicate themselves through their actions. It merely means you may not participate in the sacramentla life of the Church until you confess your sins.
If you want out- you are as close as you can get, but you are always welcome to come home!
2007-03-23 22:49:10 · answer #5 · answered by Mommy_to_seven 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Once you walk away from the catholic church and renounce the religion in front of witnesses, you are no longer catholic. I use to be catholic and I renounce the catholic religion and am now a born again Christian and true follower of Jesus Christ. It does not matter if man tries to say I am still catholic because I know where my heart is and God knows also.
I am not surprised that you became an atheist after leaving the catholic religion. I have known others who were also catholics who tried wicca and other religions before finding the truth in Jesus Christ. I was one of them. Take a look at this website before turning your back on God.
http://www.jesus-is-savior.com
2007-03-23 07:46:35 · answer #6 · answered by Dakota Lynn Takes Gun 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
You don't belong to the church and you are an atheist. The church excommunicate only those who belong to them. You are an outsider. They have nothing to do with you.
Why bother them with your email. What do you really want?
2007-03-23 07:50:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why should we when you have already excommunicated yourself? If your official status is still important to you then you still recognize Church authority and are not truly an atheist. Peace be with you
2007-03-23 07:40:46 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Does it really matter? You don't go to church nor do you give them money. If it bothers you that much, go to your local Catholic church and tell them you don't want to be a part of the religion any more.
2007-03-23 07:48:57 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They probably took it as some immature prank. Personally, I think it was a bit immature to send an email. There is no need to notify the church if you are becoming an atheist. It's not like your registered as a Christian...
2007-03-23 07:41:30 · answer #10 · answered by ~ B_e_K_z ~ 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
HI
I have heard this complaint before and it is believed by some that it is all about numbers and they don't want to go down in their membership it looks bad on them, but you have pulled away and requested it so that might have to be enough for you because I don't think they'd reply to losing people then they'd have to admit their numbers and members are dwindling
Lammy
2007-03-23 07:46:53 · answer #11 · answered by Clammy S 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋