Definition: Apostates and Apostasy
From LanceaSanctum
21 August 2006
An apostate is one who engages in apostasy (*apo*, from, and *stasis*, station, standing, or position). The word itself in its etymological sense, signifies the desertion of a post, the giving up of a state of life; he who voluntarily embraces a definite state of life cannot leave it, therefore, without becoming an apostate. Most, however, distinguish between three kinds of apostasy: apostasy a Fide or *perfidiæ*, when one gives up his faith; apostasy *ab ordinæ*, when a cleric abandons the ecclesiastical state; apostasy a *religione*, or *monachatus*, when a religious leaves the religious life (and please note the similarity to the name of the Monachus).
Apostasy *perfidiæ* is the complete and voluntary abandonment of the Sanctified faith, whether the apostate embraces another religion such as that of the Crones, or merely makes profession of Naturalism, Rationalism, etc. The heretic differs from the apostate in that he only denies one or more of the doctrines of revealed religion, whereas the apostate denies the religion itself, a sin which has always been looked upon as one of the most grievous.
The spiritual penalties are the same as those which apply to heretics. In order, however, to incur these penalties, it is necessary, in accordance with the general principles of canon law, that the apostasy should be shown in some way. Apostates, with all who receive, protect, or befriend them, incur excommunication. They incur, moreover, the note of "infamy", at least when their apostasy is notorious. Apostates are debarred from ecclesiastical burial. Any writings of theirs, in which they uphold heresy and schism, or labor to undermine the foundations of faith, are on the Index, and those who read them incur excommunication. In the case of clerics, apostasy involves the loss of all dignities, offices, and benefices, and even of all clerical privileges.
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