Sacraments received

from excommunicated persons

according to canon law

Code of Canon Law CIC 1917

Can. 2261

§ 1. One excommunicated is prohibited from confecting and administering licitly the Sacraments and Sacramentals, except for the exceptions that follow.

§ 2. The faithful, with due regard for the prescription of § 3, can for any just cause seek the Sacraments and Sacramentals from one excommunicated, especially if other ministers are lacking, and then the one who is excommunicate and approached can administer these and is under no obligation of inquiring the reasons from the one requesting.

§ 3. But from a banned excommunicate and from others excommunicated after a condemnatory or declaratory sentence has come, only the faithful in danger of death can ask for sacramental absolution according to the norm of Canons 882 and 2252 and even, if other ministers are lacking, other Sacraments and Sacramentals.

– The principle = it is forbidden –

The text says it is forbidden to give and receive sacraments from excommunicated persons. This is the principle!

– The exception confirms the rule –

But the Codex gives an exception: ‘ex iusta causa’, ‘for a valid reason’, and if the minister is not an excommunicated convict or vitandus (to be avoided).

So the faithful must have a valid reason.

The issue is the sacraments and sacramentals, not Sunday sermons by a schismatic and or heretic who may thereby endanger the faith, which must be avoided at all costs, it is the first commandment of God.

If someone has been without sacraments for a long time, this is a valid reason to confess and receive communion at the FSSPX because they have not yet been excommunicated with a sentence. Of course, this is an exception but possible.

God protect you.

Fr Eric Jacqmin+