Quote:
Originally Posted by Levin
It increasingly strikes me as bizarre that we excommunicate the penitent. The person has messed up, but wants to repent and stay active in the Church. Why excommunicate and officially kick him out? Help him complete the repentance process within the loving arms of the Church. Why is kicking him out a necessary step in his repentance process?
Kick out the scornful and unrepentent. But not the penitent.
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Odd indeed. It's almost as if we wish to brand the penitent as unworthy of our love.