Moral Theology
Teologia Morale · 314 articles · Principal contributors · All subjects-
Absolution (ASSOLUZIONE)
ABSOLUTION. - It is the act of absolving. Absolvere in Latin is used in the sense of completing, finishing, e.g., absolvere opus, and in… -
Abstinence (ASTINENZA)
ABSTINENCE. - From the Latin abs-teneo "I keep away," a. entails abstaining from something either temporarily or entirely. From the dietary… -
Abulia
ABULIA. - From the Greek privative à and βουλὴ "will"; a. is a pathological alteration of the will, consisting in a more or less notable… -
Accomplice in Shameful Sin (COMPLICE IN PECCATO TURPE)
ACCOMPLICE IN SHAMEFUL SIN. - He who consciously and voluntarily participates with others in the commission of a grave and external sin… -
Adjuration (SCONGIURO)
ADJURATION. - In a broad sense, it means the interposition of any higher moral authority, in order to move a person to perform or omit a… -
Adulation (ADULAZIONE)
ADULATION. - Exaggerated and unreasonable praise directed at others for a self-interested motive. Adulation always arises from and is… -
Adultery (from Latin adulterium, i.e., according to a probable etymology, ad alterum torum accessus) (ADULTERIO (DAL LAT. ADULTERIUM OSSIA, SECONDO UNA PROBABILE ETIMOLOGIA, AD ALTERUM TORUM ACCESSUS))
ADULTERY (from Latin adulterium, that is, according to a probable etymology, ad alterum torum accessus). - It is the illicit union of two… -
Aertnys, Jozef
AERTNYS, JOZEF. - Moralist, b. at Eindhoven on 15 Jan. 1828, d. on 30 June 1915. A novice of the Redemptorists at St. Trond (Belgium) in… -
Affability (AFFABILITÀ)
AFFABILITY. - It is the virtue that regulates the whole exterior conduct of a person (speech, action, manner), so as to make him well… -
Agapitus of Palestrina (AGAPITO DA PALESTRINA)
AGAPITUS OF PALESTRINA. - Reformed Minor, d. 1815; he was a lecturer in theology and definitor general of his Order, censor of the… -
Age (ETÀ)
AGE. - I. CANON LAW. - In general it is a natural condition, which has an influence both on legal capacity and on the capacity to act (v.… -
Agnelli, Giuseppe
AGNELLI, GIUSEPPE. - Jesuit, b. in Naples on 1 April 1621, d. in Rome on 8 September 1706, professor of moral theology, famous as the… -
Agostini, Giuseppe
AGOSTINI, GIUSEPPE. - Jesuit moralist, b. in Palermo on 15 March 1575, d. there on 29 May 1643. He taught philosophy in Rome and theology… -
Alchemy (ALCHIMIA)
ALCHEMY. - The name derives from the Arabic al, the article, and from the Greek χημία or χημεία = fusion. In the popular conception, a. is… -
Ambition (AMBIZIONE)
AMBITION. - Etymologically it derives from the Latin word ambire, "to go around" or to canvass for honors or offices. In a broad sense,… -
Amusements (DIVERTIMENTI)
AMUSEMENTS. - I. GENERAL NOTIONS. - Etymologically the word d. from diverto means a turning aside, a digression. And in reality d. is a… -
Andry, Nicolas
ANDRY, NICOLAS. - French theologian and physician, brother of Claude, b. in Lyon in 1658, d. in Paris on 13 May 1742. At the age of 32 he… -
Anonymous Letters (LETTERE ANONIME)
ANONYMOUS LETTERS. - These are letters that bear no signature and whose writer is unknown. Sending someone an anonymous letter is in itself… -
Antoine, Paul-Gabriel
ANTOINE, PAUL-GABRIEL. - French theologian, b. at Lunéville on 19 Jan. 1678, d. at Pont-à-Mousson on 22 Jan. 1743. Having entered the… -
Apostasy (APOSTASIA)
APOSTASY. - It is the total abandonment of the faith by one who has received Baptism, and is distinguished from heresy, which consists in… -
Apostolate (APOSTOLATO)
APOSTOLATE. - 1) In its proper and literal sense it generally means the work of one who consecrates himself entirely to the diffusion of… -
Araújo, Francesco (ARAUJO FRANCESCO)
ARAÚJO, FRANCESCO. - Dominican theologian, b. at Verin (Spain) in 1580, d. at Madrid in 1664. He was a lecturer at the University of… -
Arendt, Wilhelm
ARENDT, WILHELM. - Jesuit, moralist, b. in Louvain on 31 March 1852, d. in Rome on 23 Feb. 1937. He was rector of the Belgian College in… -
Arregui, Antonio María
ARREGUI, ANTONIO MARÍA. - Spanish Jesuit, renowned moralist, b. in Pamplona on 17 Jan. 1863, d. in Barcelona on 10 Dec. 1942. After the… -
Articolo di Morte
ARTICOLO DI MORTE. - It is the point or moment of death, taken morally, that is, considered with a certain elasticity, in such a way as to… -
Artificial Fecundation (FECONDAZIONE ARTIFICIALE)
ARTIFICIAL FECUNDATION. - By this expression is commonly meant the introduction of male seed into the female internal organs in ways and by… -
Attrition (From Latin Attero = To Abase, Crush) (ATTRIZIONE (DAL LAT. ATTERO = ABBATTO, SCHIACCIO))
ATTRITION (From Latin Attero = To Abase, Crush). - It is the act by which man detests sin for a supernatural motive but one inferior to… -
Avarice (AVARIZIA)
AVARICE. - Avarice is an excessive love of riches, that is, a love that goes beyond the rule of reason, which requires that means be… -
Avvertenza
AVVERTENZA. - Generally speaking, it is the act of the mind that pays attention to a thing; in matters of morals, it is the act of the mind… -
Azor, Juan
AZOR, JUAN. - Jesuit, b. at Lorca (Murcia) and d. at Rome in 1603. He taught dogmatic and moral theology also at Rome, where he likewise… -
Ballerini, Antonio
BALLERINI, ANTONIO. - Jesuit historian and moralist, b. at Medicina (Bologna) on 10 Oct. 1805, d. at Rome on 27 Nov. 1881. He spent almost… -
Baron, Vincent
BARON, VINCENT. - Preacher and controversialist, b. 17 May 1604 at Martres, d. in Paris on 21 Jan. 1674. Dominican at Toulouse in 1621. A… -
Bauny, Étienne (BAUNY, ETIENNE)
BAUNY, ÉTIENNE. - French Jesuit and moralist, b. at Mauzon (Ardennes) in 1564, d. at Saint-Pol-de-Léon on 3 December 1649. Having entered… -
Benediction (BENEDIZIONE)
BENEDICTION. - In its liturgical meaning it is a rite performed by a sacred minister, by which, with the invocation of the name of God,… -
Beringer, Franz
BERINGER, FRANZ. - German Jesuit, canonist, b. at Mainz on 30 May 1838, d. at Rome on 23 Jan. 1909. A priest in 1854, after his studies… -
Betting and Gambling (SCOMMESSA E GIUOCHI D'AZZARDO)
BETTING AND GAMBLING. - A bet is a bilateral aleatory contract, by which two persons, disagreeing about the truth or the outcome of a… -
Birth Control (NASCITE, CONTROLLO (BIRTH-CONTROL) DELLE)
BIRTH CONTROL. - A form of voluntary or coercive regulation that seeks to subordinate the procreation of individuals to social, hygienic,… -
Bonacina, Martino
BONACINA, MARTINO. - Moralist, born in Milan around 1585. Professor of canon and civil law in the seminary and then rector of the Helvetic… -
Books and Publishers, Morality of (LIBRI ED EDITORI, MORALITÀ DEI)
BOOKS AND PUBLISHERS, Morality of. - The publisher does not exercise merely an industrial activity, because his purpose is the diffusion of… -
Bouquillon, Thomas-Joseph
BOUQUILLON, THOMAS-JOSEPH. - Belgian moralist, b. at Warneton on 16 May 1840, d. at Brussels on 5 Nov. 1902. A graduate of the Gregorian… -
Busembaum, Hermann
BUSEMBAUM, HERMANN. - Jesuit, moralist, b. at Nottuln (Westphalia) in 1600, d. at Münster on 31 January 1669. A professor for several years… -
Business Executive (DIRIGENTE D'IMPRESA)
BUSINESS EXECUTIVE. - He is, as it were, the intermediary between the employer and the worker. In reality he too is a worker, inasmuch as… -
Capital Vices (VIZI CAPITALI)
CAPITAL VICES. - Pride, avarice, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath and sloth are called c. v. or capital sins, according as they are considered… -
Carrière, Joseph
CARRIÈRE, JOSEPH. - Sulpician, moralist, b. at La Panouse-de-Cernon (diocese of Rodez) on 19 Feb. 1795, d. at Lyon on 23 Apr. 1864. In 1818… -
Castro Palao, Fernand De
CASTRO PALAO, FERNAND DE. - Jesuit, moralist, b. at León in 1581; d. at Medina on 1 December 1633. He first taught philosophy at… -
Casuistry (CASISTICA)
CASUISTRY. - In its verbal meaning this name comes from the Latin "casus" in the sense of a case or particular fact, true or supposed. C.,… -
Celibacy (CELIBATO)
CELIBACY. - I. C. ECCLESIASTICO. - The inspiring principle of ecclesiastical celibacy is the idea of purity and continence. Jesus presents… -
Chapeauville, Jean
CHAPEAUVILLE, JEAN. - Belgian theologian and historian, b. at Liège on 5 Jan. 1551, d. there on 5 May 1617. Ordained a priest, he was first… -
Charitable Aid (SUSSIDIO CARITATIVO)
CHARITABLE AID. - It is a tax that, in accordance with can. 1505, the local Ordinary may, if a special necessity of the diocese requires… -
Chastity (CASTITÀ)
CHASTITY. - A moral virtue that regulates the appetite for sexual pleasure, inherent in the generative act. It is a virtue because it… -
Clairvoyance (CHIAROVEGGENZA)
CLAIRVOYANCE. - A fully satisfactory definition of c. is difficult. Etymologically: "clear vision, clarity of perception." Even the most… -
Communication in Sacred Matters (COMUNICAZIONE NELLE COSE SACRE)
COMMUNICATION IN SACRED MATTERS. - By these terms is meant the participation of Catholics in the sacred ceremonies (prayers, services,… -
Compensation and Reparation (RISARCIMENTO E RIPARAZIONE)
COMPENSATION AND REPARATION. - Compensation may be defined as the payment to the injured party of a pecuniary equivalent, that is, of a sum… -
Compensationism (COMPENSAZIONISMO)
COMPENSATIONISM. - It is the most recent in time of the moral systems proposed for resolving on the practical ground those doubts that are… -
Concina, Daniele
CONCINA, DANIELE. - Dominican preacher and moralist, b. at Clauzetto in Friuli on 2 Oct. 1687, d. at Venice on 21 Feb. 1756. He entered the… -
Concubinage (CONCUBINATO)
CONCUBINAGE. - In general c. means the state of conjugal cohabitation separated from the true and proper marriage bond. Therefore the… -
Concupiscence (CONCUPISCENZA)
CONCUPISCENCE. - From the Latin concupiscere (= to crave), it means etymologically desire, an inclination toward a pleasant object. But the… -
Confessarius (CONFESSORE (CONFESSARIUS))
CONFESSARIUS. - He is the priest who administers the sacrament of Penance. His figure emerges clearly from the nature of Penance and from… -
Conscientious Objection (OBIEZIONE DI COSCIENZA)
CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION. - The act by which a citizen refuses to obey the order of the public authority to perform ordinary military… -
Consent (CONSENSO)
CONSENT. - In its broadest meaning it is the adherence of the will to the idea presented by the intellect: it is a necessary element for… -
Constance (COSTANZA)
CONSTANCE. - A moral virtue that gives the soul continuity in doing good, shielding it against difficulties coming from outside:… -
Consuetudinaries (CONSUETUDINARI)
CONSUETUDINARIES. - C. in general are those who have contracted a habit (consuetudo) in the most proper sense of habit, and for this reason… -
Continence (CONTINENZA)
CONTINENCE. - Continentia from contineo (cum and teneo) in its first etymological sense means the very act of containing oneself within the… -
Contrition (CONTRIZIONE)
CONTRITION. - It is the principal act of the virtue of penance, by which the sinner, under the influence of God's grace, disposes himself… -
Cooperation (COOPERAZIONE)
COOPERATION. - I. COOPERATION IN EVIL OR SIN. 1. Notion and divisions. - Cooperation is etymologically linked to the Latin verb "cooperor"… -
Corruption of Minors (MINORENNI, CORRUZIONE DI)
MINORENNI, CORRUZIONE di. - By corruption of m. is meant the action of one who performs acts of lust with persons below an average age of… -
Cremation (CREMAZIONE)
CREMATION. - The term c. (from Lat. crematio = burning) has been reserved by usage for the act of burning the human corpse. This act, as it… -
Cruelty (CRUDELTA)
CRUELTY. - « La crudeltà è l'atrocità dell'animo nell'infliggere le pene » (Seneca, De Clem., 4). Crudele da crudus è colui che è di… -
Curiosity (CURIOSITÀ)
CURIOSITY. - Excessive craving to know and to learn, both in the intellectual field and in the experimental sensory field. The desire to… -
Curse (MALEDIZIONE)
CURSE. - The curse is a daughter of wrath and consists in invoking evil upon others. Being formally a sentence, the curse can also be… -
Damage (DANNO)
DAMAGE. - It indicates, in general, every diminution of being and of goods, whether material or spiritual (reputation, etc.). It therefore… -
Dance (DANZA)
DANCE. - 1. It consists of a complex of ordered movements of the body, and especially of the feet, according to the musical time marked by… -
Dens, Pierre
DENS, PIERRE. - Belgian theologian, b. at Boom on 12 Nov. 1690, d. at Mechelen on 15 Feb. 1775. He engaged in various controversies, one of… -
Derision (IRRIISIONE)
DERISION. - Significa dileggio, beffa, scherno. È il comportamento di colui che, con il sarcasmo contenuto principalmente nel modo di… -
De Smet, Louis
DE SMET, LOUIS. - Belgian moral theologian and canonist, b. 1868, d. 1927. Professor at Bruges. Writings: Commentarius in decretum de… -
Despair (DISPERAZIONE)
DESPAIR. - Psychologically and morally, despair is a positive and direct opposition to supernatural hope. Psychologically, despair retains… -
Detraction (DETRAZIONE)
DETRACTION. - I. DEFINITION. - Detraction (from the Latin detrahere = "to take away") is the unjust denigration of another's reputation, by… -
Diana, Antonio
DIANA, ANTONIO. - Theatine, b. in Palermo in 1585, d. in Rome on 20 July 1663. He is among the best-known moral theologians, although… -
Diligence (DILIGENZA)
DILIGENCE. - In its primary meaning it indicates an assiduous and exquisite care, a particular attentiveness in doing something. Even in… -
Discord (DISCORDIA)
DISCORD. - I. DEFINITION. - D. is not merely a divergence of opinions, nor merely a scattering of efforts in pursuing common goals;… -
Disparity of Worship (DISPARITÀ DI CULTO)
DISPARITY OF CULT. - It is the matrimonial impediment that exists, in the canon law in force in the Latin Church, between an unbaptized… -
Divination (DIVINAZIONE)
DIVINATION. - It is a form of idolatry and consists in honoring the devil as God, not because one believes him to be God nor out of hatred… -
Docility (DOCILITÀ)
DOCILITY. - Etymologically (from docere) it means the good disposition to embrace another's right opinion. Thus St. Thomas also describes… -
Dominative Potestas (POTESTÀ DOMINATIVA)
DOMINATIVE POTESTAS. - The right of an imperfect society and of the superiors constituted within it to command the individual members and… -
Donation (DONAZIONE)
DONATION. - It is the act by which, out of a spirit of liberality, a person deprives himself of a right of his or assumes an obligation for… -
Economy (ECONOMIA)
ECONOMY. - Right and prudent administration of goods. Etymologically (from the Greek οἰκονομία; οἶκος = house; νέμειν = to administer)… -
Egoism (EGOISMO)
EGOISM. - From "ego," I, e. is the false and exaggerated love of self, which leads to a veritable idolatry of the "I," erected as the sole… -
Elbel, Benjamin
ELBEL, BENJAMIN. - Franciscan, moral theologian, b. in 1690 at Friedberg in Bavaria, d. on 4 June 1756 at Soefingen near Ulm. Lecturer in… -
Elizalde, Miguel de
ELIZALDE, MIGUEL de. - Jesuit theologian and rigorist moralist. Born in 1616 at Echalar (Navarre), died on 18 November 1678 at San… -
Engel, Ludwig
ENGEL, LUDWIG. - Benedictine, renowned canonist and moral theologian, b. at Wagrein (Lower Austria) at the beginning of the 1600s, d. at… -
Engineer (INGEGNERE)
ENGINEER. - The word "engineer" is commonly derived from the term ingenium (in its late meaning of machine, especially a war machine),… -
Entrepreneur (IMPRENDITORE)
ENTREPRENEUR. - «An entrepreneur is one who professionally carries on an organized economic activity for the purpose of the production or… -
Envy (INVIDIA)
ENVY. - I. NOTION. - Envy (from the Latin invidia) is one of the seven capital sins that originate from the concupiscence kindled in human… -
Epikeia (EPIKÉIA)
EPIKEIA. - From ἐπαβέτα, that is, equity, benignity, moderation. The etymological meaning coincides with that of equity (v.). But the two… -
Equiprobabilism (EQUIPROBABILISMO)
EQUIPROBABILISM. - Called by its supporters moderate probabilism as well, it is one of the so-called moral systems, whose first defender… -
Escobar y Mendoza, Antonio
ESCOBAR Y MENDOZA, ANTONIO. - Jesuit, moralist, b. at Valladolid in 1589, d. there on 4 July 1669. He first displayed his talent in some… -
Esparza Arrieda, Martín de (ESPARZA ARTIEDA, MARTIN DE)
ESPARZA ARRIEDA, MARTÍN DE. - Jesuit, theologian, b. at Escsároz (Navarre) on 29 March 1606, d. at Rome on 21 April 1689. He taught… -
Euthanasia (EUTANASIA)
EUTHANASIA. - From "good" and "death." In its currently current sense it means: "merciful, painless killing of a patient considered by now… -
Examination of Conscience (ESAME DI COSCIENZA)
EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE. - I. NATURE. - An ascetical exercise in which a man desirous of spiritual perfection, through reflection on his… -
Faith, Good (and Bad) (FEDE, BUONA (E CATTIVA))
FAITH, GOOD (AND BAD). - Among the various meanings of the word faith (Latin fides) there is also that of trust and of its foundation… -
Fasting (DIGIUNO)
FASTING. - Fasting, from the ecclesiastical Latin "iejunus," is the state of one who is empty of food. The adjective used as a noun came in… -
Fear (TIMORE)
FEAR. - From the Latin timor, it is the trepidation or disturbance of the mind because of an impending danger or an imminent evil. It can… -
Ferreres, Juan Bautista
FERRERES, JUAN BAUTISTA. - Jesuit, moralist and canonist, b. at Olleria (diocese of Valencia) on 28 Nov. 1861, d. in prison at Valencia on… -
Fidelity (FEDELTÀ)
FIDELITY. - It derives from fides and has the sense of serving fidem. It is a virtue very akin to truthfulness, of which indeed it may be… -
Fine (MULTA)
FINE. - Among the various penalties common to the CIC and to the Italian Penal Code, there is still today the m. [fine]. It can be defined,… -
Flogging (FUSTIGAZIONE)
FLOGGING. — From Lat. fustigatio, the penalty of the rod, the switch, the whip, made of strips of leather. It consists in beating the… -
Fornication (FORNICAZIONE)
FORNICATION. - From Latin fornix, which designated a vaulted chamber or corridor, usually resulting from supporting construction for… -
Fortress (FORTEZZA)
FORTRESS. - In its primary meaning it indicates robustness, vigor, strength, force, whether in the physical or in the moral sense. It can… -
Fraternal Correction (CORREZIONE FRATERNA)
FRATERNAL CORRECTION. - It is the private admonition of a person to turn him away from sin. The motive of fraternal correction is charity,… -
Frins, Victor
FRINS, VICTOR. - Jesuit, theologian, b. at Aachen on 17 Sept. 1840, d. at Bonn on 13 Apr. 1912. He taught philosophy and theology at the… -
Fuga
FUGA (FLIGHT). - F., and also horror, is called by St. Thomas (Sum. Theol., 1ª-2ª, q. 23 a. 1) the passion by which our concupiscible… -
Génicot, Édouard (GÉNICOT, EDOUARD)
GÉNICOT, ÉDOUARD. - Jesuit, moralist, b. at Antwerp on 18 June 1856, d. at Louvain on 21 Feb. 1900. Following his inclination, he first… -
Gobat, Georges
GOBAT, GEORGES. - Jesuit, moralist, b. at Charmoille (Basel), 1 August 1600, d. at Constance on 23 March 1679. A Jesuit in 1618, he was a… -
Gola
GOLA. - A capital sin consisting in the disordered appetite for food and drink. It is a vice opposed to the special virtues of abstinence… -
Gousset, Thomas-Marie-Joseph
GOUSSET, THOMAS-MARIE-JOSEPH. - Cardinal, b. at Montigny-les-Cherbien on 1 May 1792, d. at Reims on 22 Dec. 1866. Ordained a priest, he was… -
Gratitude (GRATITUDINE)
GRATITUDE. - I. NOZIONE. - From the Latin gratitudo, it is the virtue that inclines a person to acknowledge (with the mind and with words)… -
Guilt (COLPA)
GUILT. - The term f. can be considered according to two fairly different concepts, although not in conflict with each other: f. in the… -
Gury, Jean-Pierre
GURY, JEAN-PIERRE. - Jesuit, moralist and casuist, b. at Mailleroncourt (Haute-Saône) on 23 Jan. 1801, d. at Mercoeur (Haute-Loire) on 18… -
Habert, Louis
HABERT, LOUIS. - French moral theologian, of Jansenist tendencies, b. at Blois or nearby in 1635, d. in Paris on 7 April 1718. He became a… -
Heroic Act (EROICO, ATTO)
HEROIC ACT. - Every human act is called heroic which a person cannot perform except with extraordinary or very great moral difficulty. It… -
Hidden Compensation (COMPENSAZIONE OCCULTA)
HIDDEN COMPENSATION. - Secret compensation consists in taking or retaining, without the debtor's knowledge, as much as suffices for the… -
Histriones (ISTRIONI)
HISTRIONES. - From the Latin histrio -onis (also minus), that is, comedian, mime, this was the name given to the actor in the Roman… -
Honor and Contumely (ONORE E CONTUMELIA)
HONOR AND CONTUMELY. - H., from Lat. honor or honos (that is, homage, respect, esteem), is the external recognition of another's… -
Human Act (ATTO UMANO)
HUMAN ACT. - In a broad sense, any activity of man can be called human. In a proper and narrow sense, the term h. a. is reserved to… -
Human Monster (MOSTRO UMANO)
HUMAN MONSTER. - An individual presenting one or more anomalies such as to render it gravely aberrant from normality (v. TERATOLOGY). Human… -
Humility (UMILTÀ)
HUMILITY. - A moral virtue that restrains the soul, so that it does not strive with immoderate impulse toward what is above itself (Sum.… -
Huygens, Gommaire
HUYGENS, GOMMAIRE. - Theologian, b. at Lierre on 26 Feb. 1631, d. at Louvain on 27 Oct. 1702. Having obtained his doctorate in theology at… -
Hypocrisy (IPOCRISIA)
HYPOCRISY. - From ὑποκρισία, it means etymologically fiction: in the real sense it indicates the simulation of goodness, humility, holiness… -
Idolatry (Eidōlon Latreia) (IDOLATRIA (ΕἸΔΩ͂ΛΟΝ ΛΑΤΡΕΊΑ))
IDOLATRY (Eidōlon Latreia). - I. NOTION. - In its literal meaning it indicates the worship of idols. The term idol (εἰδῶλον) in Sacred… -
Illness (INFERMITÀ)
ILLNESS. - I. is one of the causes for excuse or dispensation from ecclesiastical laws. Sometimes a slight i. is sufficient, at other times… -
Images, Cult of (IMMAGINI, CULTO DELLE)
IMAGES, Cult of. - It is the honor rendered to sacred images, that is, to the painted or sculpted representations of Jesus Christ, the… -
Impenitent (IMPENITENTE)
IMPENITENT. - From the eccl. Lat. impenitens, i.e. the sinner is called impenitent who, directly or indirectly, through culpable ignorance… -
Impotence (IMPOTENZA)
IMPOTENCE. - I. (Latin impotentia) is the impossibility of doing something. Law and morality deal with the i. of man in the field of his… -
Impurity (IMPURITÀ)
IMPURITY. - From Latin impuritas, the state of being impure, it is one of the terms used to indicate the vice against purity (v.). In… -
Imputability (IMPUTABILITÀ)
IMPUTABILITY. - From the Latin noun imputabilitas and the verb imputare, that is, to charge to an account, to ascribe, to attribute, it is… -
Inadvertence (INAVVERTENZA)
INADVERTENCE. - In general, everything that lies outside the field of actual consciousness is called i. I. takes the form and name of… -
Incapacity (INCAPACITÀ)
INCAPACITY. - In moral theology and in law it is the lack of certain conditions necessary for acting, such that a subject finds himself in… -
Inconstancy (INCOSTANZA)
INCONSTANCY. - From the Latin inconstantia, lack of constancy, fickleness, it is a vice opposed to prudence, inasmuch as through it one is… -
Inconvenience (INCOMODO)
INCONVENIENCE. - I. (from the Latin incommodum, that is, discomfort, disturbance, harm) in morals and in law denotes that particular… -
Indissolubility of Marriage and Divorce (INDISSOLUBILITÀ DEL MATRIMONIO E DIVORZIO)
INDISSOLUBILITY OF MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE. - Indissolubility is one of the essential properties of marriage, which finds its fullest sanction… -
Inducement to Sin (INDUZIONE AL PECCATO)
INDUCEMENT TO SIN. - He induces to sin who by word, by example, and by cooperation incites his neighbor or encourages him to commit sinful… -
Infanticide (INFANTICIDIO)
INFANTICIDE. - From infanticidium (infans and caedo). It is the voluntary homicide committed against the person of a newborn. In the strict… -
Ingratitude (INGRATITUDINE)
INGRATITUDE. - It is the disposition of soul (vice) of one who does not acknowledge and does not appreciate the benefits received. It can… -
Insult (INGIURIA)
INSULT. - From the Latin iniuria, it means any injury to justice: «iniuria est alieni iuris violatio» (l. 5, D. IX, 2). In this sense, in… -
Intemperance (INTEMPERANZA)
INTEMPERANCE. - From Lat. intemperantia, immoderation, in a generic sense it is the vice opposed to temperance considered as a general… -
Intention (INTENZIONE)
INTENTION. - St. Bonaventure (In IV lib. Sent., D. 6, p. 2, a. 2) defines intention as: "Will reflected (ratiocinata) insofar as it directs… -
Interpretation (INTERPRETAZIONE)
INTERPRETATION. - In legal language it is the logical operation whose object is the search for and explanation of the genuine meaning of… -
Interpreter (INTERPRETE)
INTERPRETER. - Even in the current canonical order the ancient juridical institution of the interpreter has its importance; as regards the… -
Irreligion (IRRELIGIOSITÀ)
IRRELIGION. - The term is to be understood not only in a privative sense (areligiosity), that is, as the attitude of one who by habit… -
Jubilee (GIUBILEO)
JUBILEE. - The year of the J. is so called in the Mosaic books, and allegorically in the prophetic books (Ex. 46, 17), the year of… -
Judgment of God (GIUDIZIO DI DIO)
JUDGMENT OF GOD. - This was the name given to those trials that made either a declaration of innocence or the resolution of a civil or… -
Jurats (GIURATI)
JURATS. - So called from the oath by which they bind themselves to the upright discharge of their office, jurors are a body of citizens… -
Justice (GIUSTIZIA)
JUSTICE. - The Greek word δέμις has the same origin and the same meaning as the Latin word fas and indicates the ius divinum. Νόμος is what… -
Killing (UCCISIONE)
KILLING. - In the merely physical order it is the act that deprives the body of life. Homicide is the name given to one who, by a human and… -
Konings, Anton
KONINGS, ANTON. - Moral theologian of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer; b. at Helmond in Holland on 24 Aug. 1821, he entered the… -
Lacroix, Claude
LACROIX, CLAUDE. - Jesuit, distinguished moralist, b. at Dahlem (Luxembourg) on 7 April 1652, d. at Cologne on 1-2 June 1714. He taught… -
Lassismo
LASSISM. - Laxism is less a moral system distinct from the others than a tendency, a laxus opinandi modus, as Alexander VII put it, by… -
Laymann, Paul
LAYMANN, PAUL. - Jesuit, moralist, b. at Arzl near Innsbruck in 1574, d. at Constance on 13 Nov. 1635. He taught philosophy at Ingolstadt… -
Lehmkuhl, August
LEHMKUHL, AUGUST. - Jesuit, moralist, b. at Hagen (Westphalia) on 23 Sept. 1834, d. at Valkenburg (Holland) on 23 June 1918. Professor of… -
Liberality (LIBERALITÀ)
LIBERALITY. - The right balance with which a person is disposed to spend or to give away what he possesses, without going to excess through… -
Lie (MENZOGNA)
LIE. - From Latin mentitio-onis, that is, a false assertion. Regarding the question of the nature and morality of the lie, the opinions of… -
Longanimity (LONGANIMITÀ)
LONGANIMITY. - From the Latin longanimitas, it is one of the potential parts of the cardinal virtue of fortitude and signifies patience… -
Love (Free) (AMORE (LIBERO))
LOVE (FREE). - Love here means the sexual appetite; and the addition of "free" is meant to indicate the will to satisfy it without any… -
Lucrum Cessans (LUCRO CESSANTE)
LUCRUM CESSANS. - By this expression is meant the diminution of patrimony due to the failure to acquire goods which, had a particular event… -
Lust (LUSSURIA)
LUST. - I. NOTION. - L. (from luxus, luxuriance, excess), in an improper sense, denotes every excess in food, drink and the like, and is… -
Luxury (LUSSO)
LUXURY. - It is not the "use of costly things," which can also be prudent and controlled by an intelligent and progressive taste: but it is… -
Magnanimity (MAGNANIMITÀ)
MAGNANIMITY. - It usually denotes greatness of soul and nobility of character. Within the framework of the virtues it is the generous… -
Magnificence (MAGNIFICENZA)
MAGNIFICENCE. - Magnificence or munificence indicates splendor in spending and in giving. As a special virtue, magnificence consists in the… -
Mansuetude (MANSUETUDINE)
MANSUETUDE. - A virtue that moderates anger, restraining it within the limits of what is reasonable, in order to avoid the blinding… -
Marc, Clément
MARC, CLÉMENT. - Redemptorist, b. at Jouy-sous-les-Côtes (Verdun) on 24 July 1831, d. at Rome on 27 Jan. 1887. He taught moral theology to… -
Marchant (Marchantius), Jacques
MARCHANT (Marchantius), Jacques. - Theologian, priest of the diocese of Liège, b. at Couvin (Namur) ca. 1585, d. there in 1648. From 1616… -
Mariana, Juan
MARIANA, JUAN. - Jesuit, theologian and humanist, b. at Talavera (diocese of Toledo) in 1536, d. at Toledo on 16 February 1624. From 1561… -
Mausbach, Joseph
MAUSBACH, JOSEPH. - Moral theologian and apologist, b. at Wipperfeld on 7 Feb. 1861, d. at Ahrweiler on 31 Jan. 1931. After some years of… -
Mendez de San Juan, José
MENDEZ DE SAN JUAN, JOSÉ. - Minim, moral theologian, b. in Madrid in 1605, d. there on 17 July 1680. He was successively lecturer in… -
Mental Reservation (RISERVA MENTALE)
MENTAL RESERVATION. - I. NOTION AND HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT. - Mental reservation consists in the interior act of the mind by which the… -
Mercatura
MERCATURA. - I. CONCEPT. - M., in general, is any exchange of goods or values. Among the various forms of exchange, buying and selling… -
Mercimonio
MERCIMONIO (Simony/Traffic in Sacred Things). - It generally denotes any illicit traffic, whatever the source of its illegality. In a… -
Mercy (MISERICORDIA)
MERCY. - A moral virtue, a potential part of justice, and it consists in feeling compassion for the misfortune of others and being moved to… -
Merkelbach, Benoît-Henri
MERKELBACH, BENOÎT-HENRI. - Dominican moralist, b. at Tongeren (Belgium) on 6 Jan. 1871, d. at Louvain on 25 July 1942. A priest at Liège… -
Military Service (SERVIZIO MILITARE)
MILITARY SERVICE. - I. THE MILITIA AS A PROFESSION. - The militia, from Lat. militia, can be considered both as a profession and as a… -
Mode (MODO)
MODE. - A clause appended to a contract or to an act of liberality, in order to impose a burden on one of the contracting parties or on the… -
Modesty and Chastity (PUDORE E PUDICIZIA)
MODESTY AND CHASTITY. - Modesty belongs as much to the sensory-instinctive sphere as to the conscious-intellectual one: in the first case… -
Modesty and Immodesty (MODESTIA ED IMMODESTIA)
MODESTY AND IMMODESTY. - M. (from the Latin modestia) is a moral virtue, annexed to temperance, which moderates (whence its name) or… -
Möhler, Johann Adam
MÖHLER, JOHANN ADAM. - Theologian, b. May 6, 1796 at Igersheim (Württemberg), d. April 12, 1838 at Munich. After completing his secondary… -
Monopoly (MONOPOLIO)
MONOPOLY. - From μοναπώλιον, monopolium. I. GENERALITIES. - A monopoly consists in the exclusive possibility, in fact or in law, in a… -
Moral Case, Assembly of (CASO MORALE, ADUNANZA DEL)
MORAL CASE, Assembly of. - A gathering of priests, in the episcopal city or in the individual rural deaneries, to discuss specific subjects… -
Morality (MORALITÀ)
MORALITY. - By m. is meant the quality of human actions by virtue of which they are morally good or bad. A fundamental and necessary… -
Morality of Art (MORALITÀ DELL'ARTE)
MORALITY OF ART. - The question of the morality of art is debated between the opposing theses of those who tend to insert morality into the… -
Moral Systems (SISTEMI MORALI)
MORAL SYSTEMS. - By "moral systems," in a generic sense, is meant a body of principles capable of resolving a doubt of conscience. When,… -
Moral Theology (TEOLOGIA MORALE)
MORAL THEOLOGY. - It is that part of Catholic theology which directly considers specifically human action, directed toward its ultimate… -
Morino, Giovanni
MORINO, GIOVANNI. - Lazarist, moral theologian, b. at Bra (Cuneo) on 30 June 1839, d. at Naples on 31 May 1923. He published a Manuale di… -
Mortgage (IPOTECA)
MORTGAGE. - From ὑπό = under and τύψιμ = I place, it is a subsidiary contract in guarantee of another; and it has as its object an… -
Müller, Ernst Maria
MÜLLER, ERNST MARIA. - Moral theologian, b. at Irritz (southern Moravia) on 30 Feb. 1822, d. at Linz on 28 Sept. 1888. A priest, in 1846 he… -
Narcotics (NARCOTICI)
NARCOTICS. - Unlike hypnotics (v.), they are those substances that determine a far deeper sleep (Gr. ναρκωτικός = that induces torpor),… -
Nider, Johann
NIDER, JOHANN. - Dominican, preacher, b. at Isny (Württemberg) ca. 1380, d. 13 Aug. 1438 at Nuremberg. He taught at the University of… -
Noldin, Hieronymus
NOLDIN, HIERONYMUS. - Jesuit, moralist, b. at Salorno (Alto Adige) on 30 Jan. 1838, d. at Vienna-Lainz on 7 Nov. 1922. Having entered the… -
Oath (GIURAMENTO)
OATH. - I. NOTION. - It is the invocation of God as witness to the truth of one's statement and to the actual undertaking of a future act… -
Obedience (OBBEDIENZA)
OBEDIENCE. - A moral virtue, annexed to justice, which regulates the relations of subjects with authority and makes the will ready to carry… -
Obsessive Psychosis (PSICOSI OSSESSIVA)
OBSESSIVE PSYCHOSIS. - In the most modern classifications it is included in the group of the psychoneuroses; it takes its name from the… -
Occasion of Sin (OCCASIONE DI PECCATO)
OCCASION OF SIN. - I. NOTIONS. - By occasion of sin properly is meant a circumstance of person, thing, or place, external to the subject,…