INDUCEMENT TO SIN. — Whoever, by word, example, or cooperation, incites or encourages another to commit sinful actions induces him to sin.
One induces another to sin by word by imposing or advising evil, or by encouraging him to commit II. Here we are dealing with positive moral cooperation, which is called a mandate, advice, or incitement, and which creates the so-called joint obligation to restore what has been wrongfully taken or to compensate for the damage caused to another.
One induces another to sin by example when, through less upright words or actions, one provides another with an occasion of sin; that is, gives scandal. Scandal given may be: a) direct, when something is said or done with the precise purpose of inducing another to sin, either to ruin him spiritually (formally direct) or for one’s own advantage (non-formally direct); b) indirect, when, through one’s own less upright word or deed, although one does not aim to induce another to sin, one foresees that the other will take the occasion to commit evil.
Through cooperation, one participates by positive acts in another’s sin. Such participation is either formal, when one contributes to another’s external evil action while also sharing the evil intention; or merely material, when one supplies only the external act. Participation may moreover be proximate, if the cooperation given is by its nature injurious to the law; or remote, if the other abuses cooperation that is in itself good or indifferent in order to transgress the law.
For the morality of these acts, V. also: COOPERATION, La c. al male o al peccato; MANDATE; SCANDAL.