Inclusivity and Excommunication for the RCs

 

Excommunication is an institutional act of religious censure used to deprive, suspend, or limit membership in a religious community or to restrict certain rights within it, in particular those of being  in communion with other members of the congregation, and of receiving the sacraments. Wikipedia 

I am intrigued by the news that the Roman Catholic church has excommunicated an Italian Archbishop, Carlo Maria Viganò.  a former papal ambassador to the United States. Vigano has become increasingly critical of Pope Francis, particularly because of his LGBTQ2S+ views. He has become a hero of right-wing RCs and conservative Christians from other denominations as well. 

The Vatican said in a statement that the prelate had refused to “recognize and submit” to the authority of the pope, and had rejected “communion” with members of the Catholic Church and its authoritative teachings.So Vigano has been essentially kicked out of the church, although there are pathways for repentance and reinstatement.

There are other denominations, mainly the ancient traditions, which have the option of formal excommunication. Other Christian groups, such as the Amish, will shun those who are not observing core traditions and mores.

Our United Church has processes for disciplining and even censoring disruptive members but no formal excommunication. The strange case of Rev. Gretta Vosper comes to mind, the Toronto area minister who openly identifies as an atheist and has been allowed to remain in ministry in a congregation that has dwindled to a few dozen members. 

While I was serving a congregation not far from Vosper's we welcomed a wonderful young couple. Her family had attended Vosper's church for decades but they decided to leave because of the Christless, Godless services. While this was all hashed about by the then Toronto Conference Vosper was eventually allowed to stay. This was an embarrassment for many of us. 

Whatever terms we chose to employ, excommunication or formal censure should be a last resort. We are people of reconciliation in Christ. Yet there are times when maintaining peace and order require strong measures. I do not envy Pope Francis in his sometimes faltering efforts to create a more inclusive Roman Catholic communion.