- Image by Sky Thompson
That is, if you are unfortunate enough to rank among its numbers.
by Ben Kritikos
Many people don’t realise that when the Vatican boasts of its one billion believers, many non-believers are included in that figure by virtue of their baptism. I reckon a good chunk of that billion don’t believe in religion at all; they may even be atheists. Nonetheless, a decision made for them before their birth will continue to empower what is decidedly a nasty, parasitic institution.
It’s unfortunate, but true: unless you actively leave the Catholic Church by issuing the diocese where you were baptised and confirmed with an Actus Formalis Defectionis ab Ecclesia Catholica, you will still be counted among its members. I’m guessing you haven’t done that.
Here’s the good news: an Actus Formalis Defectionis ab Ecclesia Catholica is nothing more than a formal act of defection from the Catholic Church. You can basically write one yourself, or use the help of this website if you live in Ireland, and this one if you live anywhere else. It takes a whole ten minutes to write the Actus, find your diocese’s address, and be done with it. These are my top five reasons you should actively do so.
