Absolution From Excommunication

The absolution we speak of here is not the absolution whichis a part of the sacrament of penance. That absolution isthe removing of sins from the soul of the penitent; the absolutionof which we now speak is the release of an excommunicated person from his censure. Absolution from sin is, indeed, usually required for the rehabilitation of an excommunicated person, for the reason for his expulsion from the community of the faithful is grave sin,and he must be rid of that sin to be properly returned to the soul and body of the Church. But the specific release of anexcommunicated person from the ecclesiastical ban, censure, and penalty of excommunication, is the absolution of which we now speak. Excommunication is imposed by ecclesiastical authority;therefore, only competent ecclesiastical authority can remove it;only an ecclesiastic with jurisdiction can absolve from it. In some cases of excommunication, a priest cannot absolve without obtaining jurisdiction from his bishop. In a few cases, in whichexcommunication has been imposed for most serious offences, theexcommunicated person cannot be absolved from his censure by any priest except one who has received delegation of jurisdiction fromthe pope.

Excommunication can be absolved, even when theexcommunicated person does not seek absolution, or is opposed toit. For excommunication is imposed as a penalty for fault, but notas a fault itself. Now, while no fault can be forgiven without thecontrite will of the offender, penalty can be removed at the will of the one who imposed it, regardless of the will of him on whom itwas imposed.

Just as it is possible for a person to haveexcommunication added to excommunication, so also it is possible for such a person to have one excommunication absolved while others remain.