The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that those who give “formal cooperation in an abortion” “incurs (an) excommunication latae sententiae.” What does that mean?
A. 3. An excommunication that is “latae sententiae” means that it is an automatic excommunication. It does not need a formal decree (an official notice) of excommunication. The person who recommended, supported or was involved in the act of an abortion, has been excommunicated. The penalty of an excommunication was in effect the moment the fault was committed. If a declaration is made by the Church, this is simply to confirm the fact that an excommunication has taken place. For example, On February 6, 2007, Salzburg Zuxiliary Bishop Andreas Laun cased a stir in the German press by stating that a Catholic busienssman who rented space in this shopping mall to an abortion clinic has excommunicated himself. During an interview, Bishop Laun stated, “Because (the person) cooperates in abortions, by letting them happen in his shopping mall, the norm applies to him and he is excommunicated.” The Bishop did not say that he was excommunicating the person. He was confirming that the person had au
