Benedict XV, 1914-1922

On Dying and Dead Schismatics¹

[Reply of the Holy Office to various local ordinaries, May 17, 1916]

2181a. I. Whether when material schismatics at the point of death, in good faith seek either absolution or extreme unction, these sacraments can be conferred on them without their renouncing errors?—Reply: In the negative, but that it be required that they reject errors as best they can, and make a profession of faith.

II. Whether absolution and extreme unction can be conferred on schismatics at the point of death when unconscious?—Reply: Conditionally, in the affirmative, especially if from additional circumstances it can be conjectured that they at least implicitly reject their errors, yet effectually removing scandal, at least by manifesting to bystanders that they accept the Church and have returned at the last moment to unity.

III. As regards ecclesiastical burial the Roman Ritual must stand firm.

Spiritism²

[Reply of the Holy Office, April 24, 1917]

2182. Whether it is permitted through a medium, as they call him, or without a medium, with or without the application of hypnotism, to be present at spiritistic conversations or manifestations of any kind, even though these phenomena present the appearance of honesty or piety, whether by interrogating souls or spirits, or by listening to responses, or only by looking on, even with a tacit or expressed protestation that one does not wish to have anything to do with wicked spirits.—Reply: In negative in all cases.

From the Codex of Canon Law promulgated on May 19, 1918, variously, see in Index systematicus.

Certain Propositions on Knowledge of the Soul of Christ³

[Decree of the Holy Office, June 5, 1918]

When the question was proposed by the Sacred Congregation on Seminary and University Studies, whether the following propositions can be safely taught:

2183. I. It is not established that there was in the soul of Christ while living