Q. 1. What is a schism? What can you tell me about them?

A. 1. According to Canon Law # 751, a "schism is the withdrawal of submission to the Supreme Pontiff or from communion with the members of the Church subject to him."

According to Canon Law # 1041 "The following persons are irregular for the reception of orders: 2° one who has committed the offence of apostasy, heresy or schism." In other words, if someone committed the offence of schism, he cannot become a priest.

According to Canon Law # 1184 §1 "Church funeral rites are to be denied to the following, unless they gave some signs of repentance before death: 1° notorious apostates, heretics and schismatics."

And According to Canon Law # 1364 §1 An apostate from the faith, a heretic or a schismatic incurs a latae sententiae excommunication, without prejudice to the provision of Can. 194 §1, n. 2; a cleric, moreover, may be punished with the penalties mentioned in Can. 1336 §1, nn. 1, 2 and 3." That means they are automatically excommunicated from the Catholic Church without any necessity for them to be notified of such an excommunication.