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Could you explain “anathema”?

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Question:

Could you explain anathema? Does the Church teach that Protestants are anathema because they don't agree with the Church?

Answer:

The use of the word anathema has evolved during the history of the Church, and today it means the same thing as excommunication. (The word anathema is no longer officially used.) Because a person must be a Catholic to be anathema (excommunicated) the term does not apply to Protestants.

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