what_it_means 2005-04-25T09:22:00Z 2005-04-25T09:23:00Z 1

Deposed

This term is used to describe what happens to a clergyman who violates the Church canons or his office. He loses all authority to act in any manner as a deacon, priest or bishop. The canons also state that anyone who prays with a deposed clergyman, he shall be deposed to (C. XI of the 85c.).

Not any group may depose a clergyman. The Synod of the Church the bishop was a member of or consecrated by (or for) may deposed a bishop. The bishop may depose a priest or deacon under him.

If clergy walk away from the Church they were associated with that Church may act against those individuals according to the canons

Excommunicate

This term is used to indicate what occurs when a person, clergy or layman, violates the canons and teachings of the Church. This action separates the individual from the body of Christ (the Church) for a specific time or permanently. C. X of the 85c. states that anyone who prays in company with one who has been excommunicated shall be excommunicated himself.

Many claim that a tribunal or hearing must be held. In many cases today clergy will walk away from the Church that ordained them and go off and start an independent church while claiming to have the ines of Apostolic Succession from another church. They may have the lines, but they lose all authority when they leave. A bishops authority comes from the Church and a priests authority comes from his bishop.

Such former clergy would not appear at any tribunal or hearing charging them with an act against the Church, Clergy, Canons, Scriptures, etc. There are canons that direct the action to be taken, without a tribunal, when former clergy violate the canons and that can be issued without a tribunal when such individuals leave without the letters required by the Canons.

All sacramental authority is lost when one is deposed or excommunicated.