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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I'm not sure excommunicating "the penitent," as you call it, is all that common these days. This is only anecdotal evidence, but my impression is that excommunications in general have become less common than they used to be.
However, part of why you find it bizarre is because you view excommunication as largely or wholly punitive.