# Excommunication ## Catechism of the Catholic Church A severe ecclesiastical penalty, resulting from grave crimes against the Catholic religion, imposed by ecclesiastical authority or incurred as a direct result of the commission of an offense. Excommunication excludes the offender from taking part in the Eucharist or other sacraments and from the exercise of any ecclesiastical office, ministry, or function ([[2.2.2.4.p4e#^ccc-1463|1463]]).