THE PHENOMENON OF ABANDONMENT OF THE CHURCH APOSTASY AND SCHISM

After reviewing the most common ways by which the Catholic faithful may choose to leave the Catholic Church, the author examines more closely what is meant, from the canonical point of view, by the terms "apostasy" and "schism." He recalls the criteria, established by the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts, which must be present in order to conclude that a person had abandoned the Church by a formal act. Next, he considers the consequences of leaving the Church by a formal act in light of the motu proprio Omnium in mentem, including penal sanctions prohibiting such persons from receiving the sacraments and sacramentals. He also considers various factors which may prompt a person to abandon the faith, such as the very doctrine of the Church, the rise of atheism, agnosticism, and secularism; the increase in proselytizing sects, sexual abuse of minors by Church officials. The article ends on the positive note of identifying the many who, having left the Church, now seek to be restored to its full communion.