Hostile Request to be released from Catholic Church

Declaration of Defection from
the Roman Catholic Church
(Actus formalis defectionis ab Ecclesia catholica)
 
Name:
________________________________________
Address:
________________________________________

________________________________________
Father's Name:
________________________________________
Mother's Name:
________________________________________
Date of Birth:
________________________________________
Date of Baptism:
________________________________________
Diocese of Birth:
________________________________________
Parish of Baptism:
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I_____________________________
do hereby give formal notice of my defection from the Roman Catholic Church. I want it to be known that I no longer wish to be regarded as a member of the Roman Catholic Church.
 
I am writing to request removal of my name as a member of the Roman Catholic Church and request that I be recognised as having formally defected from the Church. Under Canon Law, (canons 1086, § 1, 1117 and 1124) I can leave the Church by formal defection and this I intend to do.
 
I state I wish to fulfil the following rules for formal defection:
 
"For the abandonment of the Catholic Church to be validly configured as a true actus formalis defectionis ab Ecclesia so that the exceptions foreseen in the previously mentioned canons would apply, it is necessary that there concretely be:
a) the internal decision to leave the Catholic Church;
b) the realization and external manifestation of that decision; and
c) the reception of that decision by the competent ecclesiastical authority.
 
It is required, moreover, that the act be manifested by the interested party in written form, before the competent authority of the Catholic Church: the Ordinary or proper pastor, who is uniquely qualified to make the judgment concerning the existence or non-existence of the act of the will".
 
This notification was approved by the Supreme Pontiff, Benedict XVI, who directed that it be transmitted to all Presidents of Episcopal Conferences PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR LEGISLATIVE TEXTS.
 
I further declare that I am aware of the consequences of this act regarding the reception of the sacraments of the Church, including the sacraments of the Eucharist, marriage and the sick and also with regard to burial.

I undertake to make my decision to leave the Church known to my next of kin and to ensure that they are aware of these circumstances in the case of my being incapacitated.

I acknowledge that I make this declaration under solemn oath, being of sound mind and body, and in the presence of a witness who can testify as to the validity of this document.
 
I know it is not fair to myself or to the Church to let myself continue be registered as a member when in fact that is not what I am.
 
I wish to formally defect because I know in my heart that I am not a Catholic and I refuse to be listed as one.
 
I wish "Formally Defected" to be written in my baptismal register.
 
May I remind you that you teach that the Church is a bond between the Church in Heaven, Purgatory and Earth - you call this the communion or unity of saints? You do not believe that the baptised people who are in Hell are members of the Church any more. You simply say they have the mark that they were baptised but the initiation into the Church has been broken and ended. You teach that though the mark cannot be effaced, the initiation can. I intend to efface the initiation and I do this freely and with full consent and knowledge. Until you have proof that I am marked I do not believe I am marked.
 
I wish my friends and family in the Roman Catholic Church to know that I am leaving not because of people or personalities, or "sin" on my part, but solely because I have come to the conclusion, after a suitable period of study and experience, that the Roman Catholic Church is not as it claims to be, "the only true church of Jesus Christ." The Church is wrong but where are the bishops and theologians who have the honesty to admit it? They do not exist. That is not the mark of a seeking and honest religion.
 
I have learned that the Roman Catholic Church engages in a continuing campaign to redact, rationalise, revise, manipulate and delete embarrassing details of Catholic history which, if known, tell a different, but more truthful story of the true origins and nature of the church.
Let me know by letter that I have been removed from membership and have been declared to have formally defected. I want a simple declaration that this has been done. I don't want arrogant patronising assertions like "we regret you have taken this course" etc. I don't regret it for your religion is a travesty of logic and decency and so please do not insinuate that I am doing something regrettable. To leave a false religion is not regrettable.

I know my own mind and will not welcome visits to my home by priests or religious or other who wish to get me back. I especially will not welcome attempts to convert me to Catholicism on my deathbed.
 
Yours faithfully
 
 

Signed______________________