If a catholic priest or nun leaves that career, are they discommunicated from the Catholic Church?

Question

My husband thinks yes, but I think no. We are Lutherans and I hope someone can give us a factual answer.

Thanks...I've learned a lot from everyone's answers!!

Answer 1

Do you mean "excommunicated'-?

No. If a priest or nun feels compelled to leave that vocation, they seek out the advice and help of their spiritual director (such as a nun's Mother Superior or the priest's Bishop).

Usually, the spiritual director will recommend a retreat with time to pray and some counseling to determine what exactly is going on. If, in the long run, the priest or sister is going to be released from their vows, they remain Catholic. The priest actually remains a priest, albeit a "laicized" priest. He cannot administer any Sacraments except in an emergency, and then he is required to do so. He could, feasibly, marry, have kids, go into business, whatever.

Likewise the former nun is free to marry or whatever. Both remain Catholic.

Answer 2

Not necessarily.

First, it is NOT a career, is a vocation- a calling.

Second, the word is EXcommunicated. And all that means is that someone cannot receive the sacraments, specifically Communion. It is a medicinal punishment, meaning the point of it is to stress the severity of the behavior- the hope is the person will repent.

If a priest leaves his ministry by his own choice, he can petition the Vatican to be 'laicized' or dispensed from his vows. If it is granted, he is in completely good standing in the Church- he can even marry if also given that permission. But he cannot act in any liturgical ministry- lector, communion distributor, etc.- that might cause confusion in a parish where his priesthood is known. As Catholics, we believe ordination leaves an indelible mark on the soul, so he never 'stops' being a priest. In fact- he can even hear a dying person's confession validly.

For religious ( sisters and brothers) the process would be a little easier and handled by their order, ratehr than the Vatican.

If a priest or religious is removed from ministry due to bad- or illegal- behavior, they may indeed be excommunicated...with the hope they will reconcile with God and the Church.

Hope that answers your question!

Answer 3

Laicization does not mean excommunication. But circumstances matter. Excommunication occurs when one renounces Church doctrine or seriously violates Church law. If a priest asks to be released from his vows (and his superiors agree), he simply promises to live as a lay Catholic. If a priest leaves without permission, he may be ordered not to celebrate Mass or sacraments or to officially represent the Church until the issue is resolved, but his ordination is still valid.

Catholic teaching says priestly ordination marks the soul in a permanent way. It can only be administered once and lasts forever. But this is different from having ecclestic approval to celebrate the sacraments. A former priest may celebrate a valid Mass but it will not be a licit Mass. One is a matter of faculties, the other is a legal designation. If he gains a reputation for celebrating illicit Masses, he may get excommunicated (but he will still technically be a priest).

Religious vows are a different matter. A nun or a monk is not ordained. They do not have extraordinary sacramental faculties, so their laicization is a simpler matter. But they do need to seek permission of their superiors. Otherwise, it's like being AWOL in the Army.

Answer 4

No, Jesus came to save the sinners, how can a church excommunicate a sinner, if Jesus would not. Those who come in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. He who is without sin cast the first stone. Why call me good, none is good but the Father in heaven. For the Pharisees said "we have our law and our law says he should die"

Jesus said, for the Father makes it rain on the just and the unjust. But also said the good seed and the tares shall grow together and when harvest come than separate them.

Answer 5

It depends on the situation. If they feel that they've made a mistake and just want to be a layperson, then if the church agrees they just become regular people. If they leave in some sort of disgrace or disavow the teachings of the church, then they are excommunicated.

Answer 6

No they remain Catholics in good standing,the process you refer to is called `Laicization`which simply means that the Priest or Religious is reduced to the state of a lay person.
There can be many reasons that cause a Priest/Religious to give up this way of life and every case has it`s own merit and unique cause.
Try this link for more info;
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08744a.htm

Answer 7

It depends on the circumstances.

If they are kicked out because of something like heresy then, yes, they would be excommunicated.

If they petitioned to leave their vocation because of personal reasons then, no, they would not be excommunicated. Most stay in the Church as devout lay persons.

With love in Christ.

Answer 8

no of course not. If they have left with the proper credentials they are still in Communion with the Church. The ones who do not receive the official O.K.---well, yes they have excommunicated themselves.

Answer 9

They have to formally ask to be relieved of the vows they made . once the reason has been given and the process completed they are as free as anyone else. That doesn't mean that they are excommunicated.

Answer 10

If they do it properly they are not excommunicated. They need to apply to be released from their vows as a nun or preist.