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  THE MEASURE OF EXCOMMUNICATION OR OF CHASTISEMENT
  by St. Benedict of Nursia
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Summary: The measure of excommunication or chastisement should
correspond to the degree of fault, as estimated by the judgment of the
Abbess.

Topics: "Church Discipline", "Community Restoration"
Scripture References: Proverbs 3:11, Matthew 18:15, 1 Corinthians 5:5, Galatians 6:1

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DESCRIPTION
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St. Benedict of Nursia emphasizes the importance of appropriate measures
of discipline within a community, where the severity of punishment
should align with the seriousness of the offense, as determined by the
Abbess's judgment. For lighter faults, exclusion from communal
activities like meals is prescribed until satisfaction is made. The
process of reconciliation involves refraining from certain activities,
such as singing Psalms or participating in communal meals, until proper
amends are made to seek forgiveness and restoration within the
community.

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CONTENT
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The measure of excommunication or of chastisement should correspond to
the degree of fault, which degree is estimated by the judgment of the
Abbess. If a sister is found guilty of lighter faults, let her be
excluded from the common table. Now the program for one deprived of the
company of the table shall be as follows: In the oratory she shall
intone neither Psalm nor antiphon nor shall she recite a lesson until
she has made satisfaction; in the refectory she shall take her food
alone after the community meal, so that if they eat at the sixth hour,
for instance, that sister shall eat at the ninth, while if they eat at
the ninth hour she shall eat in the evening, until by a suitable
satisfaction she obtains pardon.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/st-benedict-of-nursia/the-measure-of-excommunication-or-of-chastisement/
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