Faith/Spirituality Forum: Sanctions of the Council of Trent etc
Sanctions of the Council of Trent etc QUESTION from Bob Grey on December 29, 2001 Are the anathema sit sanctions imposed by the Council of Trent on those who offend the teaching of its Canons still in force?
In case of a positive answer, the punishment is imposed latae sententiae or ferendae sententiae? Are the punishments reserved to the Apostolic See?
What is the difference between anathema and excomunication? This difference, if it ever existed, still exists?
ANSWER by John-Paul Ignatius, OLSM on March 11, 2002 Dear Mr. Grey:
Sorry for the long delay in answering.
An anathema is different from an excommunication in that excommunication excludes one from the sacraments and an anthema provides total separation from the Faith.
Anathema was abolished after the Second Vatican Council.
The Anathema of the Council of Trent were issued for heresies. Heresy being heresy it is an excommunication offense.
Heresy carries the latae sententiae (automatic) excommunication.
The anathemas of the Council of Trent were on heresies dealing with: 1) baptism 2) communion 3) confirmation 4) Eucharist 5) Extreme unction 6) Justification 7) Mtrimony 8) Orders 9) Original Sin 10) Penance 11) Sacraments in general 12) Sacrifice of the Mass
Contrary to popular opinion about ultra-traditionalist and others not in communion with Rome, there is not anathema concerning the so-called Tridentine Mass.
The Tridentine Mass is the liturgy for the Latin Rite only. It is a form not a dogma. As it is limited to the Latin Rite alone it is not eligible for dogma status, or infallibility status.
The Church can change the form of the liturgy at any time she pleases.
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