Innocent XI, 1676-1689

by the most holy bread, become accustomed to expend their strength and to prove themselves with reverence and love. . . .

1150. Furthermore, let bishops and priests or confessors refute those who hold that daily communion is of divine right, . . . Let them not permit that a confession of venial sins be made to a simple priest without the approbation of a bishop or ordinary.

Various Errors on Moral Subjects (II)¹

[Condemned in a decree of the Holy Office, March 4, 1679]

1151. 1. It is not illicit in conferring sacraments to follow a probable opinion regarding the value of the sacrament, the safer opinion being abandoned, unless the law forbids it, convention or the danger of incurring grave harm. Therefore, one should not make use of probable opinions only in conferring baptism, sacerdotal or episcopal orders.

1152. 2. I think that probably a judge can pass judgment according to opinion, even the less probable.

1153. 3. In general, when we do something confidently according to probability whether intrinsic or extrinsic, however slight, provided there is no departure from the bounds of probability, we always act prudently.²

1154. 4. An infidel who does not believe will be excused of infidelity, since he is guided by a less probable opinion.

1155. 5. Even though one sins mortally, we dare not condemn him who uttered an act of love of God only once in his life.

1156. 6. It is probable that the precept of love for God is of itself not of grave obligation even once every five years.

1157. 7. Then only is it obligatory when we are bound to be justified, and we have no other way by which we can be justified.

1158. 8. Eating and drinking even to satiety for pleasure only, are not sinful, provided this does not stand in the way of health, since any natural appetite can licitly enjoy its own actions.

1159. 9. The act of marriage exercised for pleasure only is entirely free of all fault and venial defect.

1160. 10. We are not bound to love our neighbor by an internal and formal act.

1161. 11. We can satisfy the precept of loving neighbor by external acts only.

1162. 12. Scarcely will you find among seculars, even among kings, a superfluity for [his] state of life. And so, scarcely anyone is bound to give alms from what is superfluous to [his] state of life.

1163. 13. If you act with due moderation, you can without mortal sin be