WTF is a 'lapsed catholic'?

Why is it said that once you become 'catholic' you are bound by 'canon law' forever more? Fvvk that! Have you 'notoriously defected' from your Catholic faith? if you haven't, now is the time to fly...

"Today, a Catholic who lapses to the extent of becoming an apostate, a heretic or a schismatic is automatically excommunicated" - isn't that just so fantastically awesome!

I'm a 'lapsed baptist' but I was never bound by any 'religious secular law' either then or now.