Chapter 30: Church Censures

30-1. The censures, which may be inflicted by church courts, are
admonition, suspension from the Sacraments, excommunication, suspension
from office, and deposition from office. The censures of admonition or
definite suspension from office shall be administered to an accused who, upon
conviction, satisfies the court as to his repentance and makes such restitution
as is appropriate. Such censure concludes the judicial process. The censures
of indefinite suspension or excommunication shall be administered to an
accused who, upon conviction, remains impenitent.

30-2. Admonition is the formal reproof of an offender by a church court,
warning him of his guilt and danger, and exhorting him to be more circumspect
and watchful in the future.

30-3. Suspension from Sacraments is the temporary exclusion from those
ordinances, and is indefinite as to its duration. There is no definite suspension
from the Sacraments.
Suspension from office is the exclusion of a church officer from his
office. This may be definite or indefinite as to its duration. With respect to
church officers, suspension from Sacraments shall always be accompanied by
suspension from office. But suspension from office is not always necessarily
accompanied with suspension from Sacraments.
Definite suspension from office is administered when the credit of
religion, the honor of Christ, and the good of the delinquent demand it, even
though the delinquent has given satisfaction to the court.
Indefinite suspension is administered to the impenitent offender until
he exhibits signs of repentance, or until by his conduct, the necessity of the
greatest censure be made manifest. In the case of indefinite suspension from
office imposed due to scandalous conduct, the procedure outlined in BCO 34-
8 shall be followed.

30-4. Excommunication is the excision of an offender from the communion
of the Church. This censure is to be inflicted only on account of gross crime
or heresy and when the offender shows himself incorrigible and contumacious.
The design of this censure is to operate on the offender as a means of
reclaiming him, to deliver the church from the scandal of his offense, and to
inspire all with fear by the example of his discipline.