---
title: "Summa Theologica, Second Half"
author: "Thomas Aquinas"
translator: "Fathers of the English Dominican Province"
languages: [en]
shelf: "Medieval"
section: 651 of 935
url: https://scriptura.si/works/thomas-aquinas-summa-theologica-second-half/651/
cite: "Thomas Aquinas, tr. Fathers of the English Dominican Province, Summa Theologica, Second Half, section 651. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/thomas-aquinas-summa-theologica-second-half/651/"
---

# Summa Theologica, Second Half

*Thomas Aquinas, tr. Fathers of the English Dominican Province*

Courage and temperance, the states of life, then Christ, the sacraments and the last things.

## 651. Supp. · Question 21: Of the Definition, Congruity and Cause of Excommunication (four Articles)

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/thomas-aquinas-summa-theologica-second-half/651/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/thomas-aquinas-summa-theologica-second-half/651/#p-N

[¶0] OF THE DEFINITION, CONGRUITY AND CAUSE OF EXCOMMUNICATION (FOUR ARTICLES)

[¶1] We must now treat of excommunication: we shall consider: (1) the definition, congruity and cause of excommunication; (2) who has the power to excommunicate; (3) communication with excommunicated persons; (4) absolution from excommunication.

[¶2] Under the first head there are four points of inquiry:

[¶3] (1) Whether excommunication is suitably defined?

[¶4] (2) Whether the Church should excommunicate anyone?

[¶5] (3) Whether anyone should be excommunicated for inflicting temporal harm?

[¶6] (4) Whether an excommunication unjustly pronounced has any effect?