Systematic Index

Simony is illicit (concerning orders, ecclesiastical gifts, the sacraments, blessings, relics, etc.) 354, 359, 364, 400, 440, 1122, 1195 f., C727; prayers offered for benefactors is not necessarily simoniacal 605; but it is simony to give food for a spiritual thing 364, or a price for reception into a monastery 400, or the temporal for the spiritual precisely as the motive for conferring or effecting the spiritual or as a gratuitous compensation for the spiritual—or the reverse—1195; or if the temporal is the principal motive for giving the spiritual or its end 1196.

It is also against justice not to confer ecclesiastical benefices gratuitously 1122.

No custom exempts from simony 364.

To assist at certain spiritualistic demonstrations is illicit 2182; mesmerism is to be employed cautiously 1653 f.; theosophy attacks Catholic doctrine 2189.

XI f Prayer is either private or (in the divine office said by a priest in the name of the Church) public 2276; it is good 509; not however that of quietism (Molinos) 1221-1288; it is not the same as resignation 1245; nor is it an absolute quiet of soul 1241; it does not exclude reasoning 1240; it is helped by images 1238; it is hindered by impious thoughts that are permitted 1244, likewise by sleep 1245. One seeking sensible devotion in this does not thereby do wrong 1247, 1249 f.

Prayer presupposes grace 176; it is necessary 183, 804, 979, even for the perfect 472; it benefits especially those to whom it is applied 599, even the souls detained in purgatory 464, 535, 693, 983, 988; it is fitting even for the perfect 1234, 1254, as is also the act of thanksgiving 1235; in a sinner it is not a new sin 1409; the prayer of the foreknown is not useless 606; the petition of anything is not injurious to God 507, 1234. In liturgical prayers the use of the vernacular language is not to be introduced 946, 1566.

The Second Precept of the Decalogue

XI g A vow is a good and supernatural act 184, and it does not derogate from the promise made to God in baptism 865; nor is it an impediment to perfection 1223.

An oath, which is made with truth and judgment and justice, is licit 425, 487, 662, 1451, even when made to confirm human contracts or civil business 623, especially at the command of a judge concerning speaking the truth 663, or from some other cause, as for purification of infamy 663,—in ecclesiastical court, in investitures and in the sacred ordinations of bishops 1575.

Perjury knowingly committed for any cause, even if for the sake of one's life, or even in favor of the faith, is a mortal sin 644, 1174; perjury is committed even by swearing with a purely mental restriction 1176, although the hiding of truth is considered expedient and zealous 1177, or although any otherwise hidden crime might have to be made manifest 1178.

A fictitious oath is not licit for any cause, whether the matter be light or grave 1175.

The Third Precept of the Decalogue

XI h The precept of observing feasts obliges under mortal sin 1202. New feasts are not instituted from neglect of old feasts and by false notions of the nature and end of feasts 1573. It is not licit to observe Saturday 712.

The state cannot permit servile works on certain days 1693.

One hearing two parts (of Mass) by different celebrants at the same time does not satisfy the precept of the Church concerning hearing Mass 1203.

The soul does not act badly by arousing itself to sensible devotion by a particular effort on certain solemn days 1253.

A bishop by his own right cannot transfer feasts of the universal Church 1574.

The Fourth Precept of the Decalogue

XI i Authority is not the mere sum of num-