rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryexcommunicationExclusion from a church
noun

excommunication

eks-kuh-myoo-nih-KAY-shun/ˌekskəˌmjuːnɪˈkeɪʃn/

Formal exclusion from membership or participation in a church community.

After excommunication, a worshiper stands outside the church’s closed doors.

An excluded adult stands outside closed church doors while a congregation is faintly visible inside.
Etymology
exLatinout
+communicatLatinto share, communicate
+ionLatinact or process

The underlying idea is being put ‘out’ of sharing in a community. In church use, this means formal deprivation of communion and religious privileges, rather than merely an end to exchanging messages.

In context

FactFabLab0:33
Excommunication meant spiritual death. The church declared, "You cut off from the sacraments, no mass, no confession, no Christian burial."
Excommunicated: What Happened When You Crossed the Medieval Church

More examples

  • The bishop threatens excommunication if the priest refuses to recant.
  • Her excommunication prevents her from receiving communion.
  • The church lifts his excommunication after he reconciles with its leaders.

Forms

excommunication · excommunications

excommunicate verb — To formally exclude someone from church participation.

Similar words

expulsion
Removal from any organization, not specifically a church community.
ostracism
Social exclusion rather than an official church penalty.