Giuseppe Federici Study Center – For a new onset
Press release no. 5/19 of the 17 January 2019, Saint Anthony the Abbot
The voice of the Church on mystical-sensual literature
Sodalitium note: We publish the full text of the Instruction of the Holy Office "Inter mala" of 3 maggio 1927, on “sensual and mystical-sensual literature”. As demonstrated by Jean-Baptiste Amadieu's study (https://halshs.archives-ouvertes.fr/halshs-01315561/document), the mystical-sensual literary current in question is that of Decadentism (in this case French-speaking) e del più recente “Catholic Renewal”, and the authors examined, following a complaint since 1917 by the Nice lawyer Raymond Hubert (close to the priest Emmanuel Barbier and father Charles Maignen, del Sodalitium Pianum) I am, among others: Baudelaire, Verlaine, Rimbaud, Huysmans, Barbey d’Aurevilly, Léon Bloy and Charles Péguy among the deceased, Psychologist, Montier, Claudel, Vallery-Radot, Baumann,Bourget, Bernanos, Vaussard, James, and Mauriac among the living. The text of the Instruction will be published in a possible new edition of the book "The shame of tradition", published by our Library Center.
Congregation of the Holy Office, “Inter mala” instruction of 3 maggio 1927
To the episcopate of the whole world, on sensual and mystical-sensual publishing.
Among the most disastrous evils that in our days totally corrupt Christian morality and do great harm to the souls redeemed with the precious Blood of Jesus Christ, above all we must include literature that favors sensual passions., lust, and a certain lascivious mysticism. They are mainly novels of this character, short story, dramas, comedies: all writings which today are multiplying incredibly and are spreading every day, more everywhere.
If this literary genre, so very many, young species, they are so attracted, was contained within the limits, certainly not restricted, of modesty and honesty, it might not only harmlessly delight, but also useful for improving customs.
But unfortunately it cannot be regretted enough, the very serious damage that comes to souls from this colluvia of books, as fascinating as they are immoral. Since many writers paint in very vivid colors immodest scenes and, neglecting all due confidentiality, now covertly, now with open and refined shamelessness, they narrate the most obscene episodes, describe in the most minute details the most degrading sensual vices and present them with all the refinements of style and the enticements of art, so as not to leave intact anything that belongs to the honesty of customs. Everyone sees how pernicious all this is, especially to young people, for whom the ardor of age makes continence more difficult. Such volumes, often small in size, They are on sale cheaply in bookstores, on the streets and squares of the cities, in train stations, books that fall into everyone's hands with wonderful rapidity, frequently causing very tearful failures in Christian families. Who doesn't know that they excite the imagination, they inflame the most unbridled lust and drag the heart into the stench of every turpitude?
Nor will it be objected that in many of these books the splendor and value of the style is truly to be praised, that psychology in accordance with modern discoveries is excellently taught there, that the voluptuous satisfactions of the body are reprobated for the very fact that they are expressed in their real ugliness, or because they are sometimes presented together with pangs of conscience, or also because it is highlighted how often shameful pleasures end in pain and repentance. Given how great is the fragility of human nature, decayed, and the tendency towards sensual pleasures is great, nor elegance of language, nor notions of medicine or philosophy, even if they are given in such literature, nor the intention, whatever it is, of the authors, can prevent readers, taken by the voluptuousness of unclean pages, do not remain little by little perverted in mind and depraved in heart, until, leaving the brake on evil impulses free, fall into every kind of crime and, tired of a life of turpitude, not infrequently they end up committing suicide.
After all, it is no wonder that the world, seeker as he is of himself to the point of contempt for God, enjoy these books; but it is very painful that writers lend their work and commit themselves to such contagious literature, who even boast of the Christian name.
Not a few writers have reached the point of audacity and shamelessness as to divulge with their books those same vices that the Apostle forbade Christians to even mention.: «Fornication and all uncleanness... do not even mention it among you, as befits the saints" (Ef 5,3). So let these people know once and for all that they cannot serve two masters, to God and lust, to religion and immorality. "Whoever is not with me - says Lord Jesus - is against me" (Mt 12,30). E, those writers who depraved good morals with foul descriptions are certainly not with Jesus Christ, unshakable foundation of domestic and civil society.
The spread of sensual literature is therefore expected, which every year increasingly floods almost all nations, this Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Holy Office, responsible for the protection of faith and morals, with the Apostolic Authority and in the name of the Holy Father, prescribes to all ordinary people to do everything possible to remedy such an urgent evil.
In fact, it's up to them, constituted pastors in the Church of God by the Holy Spirit, supervise with diligent diligence what is printed and published in the respective dioceses. It is certainly known to everyone that the number of books scattered everywhere today is so great, that it is impossible for the Holy See to examine them all. Therefore Pius. m. nel Motu proprio Sacrorum Antistitus dispose of what follows: “If pernicious books are circulating in your dioceses, work with fortitude to banish them, also making use of solemn condemnations. Although this Apostolic See makes every effort to remove such writings, the number has grown so much today, that there is not enough strength to condemn them all. So it happens that the medicine sometimes arrives too late, that is, when the evil has already taken hold because of waiting too long.".
Nor do most of these volumes and pamphlets, albeit very harmful, they can be hit with special censure by the Supreme Congregation. Therefore the ordinary ones, to dog standard. 1397, par. 4 of C. D. C., directly or through the Supervisory Boards, established by Pius X himself with the encyclical Pascendi, let them try to carry out this very serious duty with all care and attention, nor fail to appropriately denounce these books, as condemned and supremely harmful, in the diocesan bulletins.
Moreover, who ignores that the Church with general law has already established that books are bad, which seriously and purposely offend morality, should all be considered prohibited as if they were placed on the Index of prohibited books? It follows that those who read an obviously obscene book without due permission commit a mortal sin, even if he has not been nominally condemned by ecclesiastical authority. And since in this matter, certainly of great importance, false and dangerous opinions circulate among Christians, the Ordinaries should try to draw the attention of the parish priests and their assistants with pastoral admonitions, and to appropriately instruct the faithful.
Furthermore, ordinary people should not forget to declare, according to the needs of the individual dioceses, which books by name are by nature prohibited. What if, to keep the faithful away from reading some book more effectively and quickly, they condemn him with a particular decree: it is entirely appropriate to use this right of theirs, as in cases of greater importance the S. is wont to do. Site, according to the prescription of can. 1395, § 1 of the C.D.C.: “It is the right and duty of the supreme authority for the Church and of the particular Councils and of the Bishops for their subjects to prohibit books for just cause”.
Finally, this Supreme Sacred Congregation provides that all archbishops, bishops and other ordinary people, on the occasion of the diocesan report, report to the Holy Office what they have established and implemented against immoral books.
If this literary genre, so very many, young species, they are so attracted, was contained within the limits, certainly not restricted, of modesty and honesty, it might not only harmlessly delight, but also useful for improving customs.
But unfortunately it cannot be regretted enough, the very serious damage that comes to souls from this colluvia of books, as fascinating as they are immoral. Since many writers paint in very vivid colors immodest scenes and, neglecting all due confidentiality, now covertly, now with open and refined shamelessness, they narrate the most obscene episodes, describe in the most minute details the most degrading sensual vices and present them with all the refinements of style and the enticements of art, so as not to leave intact anything that belongs to the honesty of customs. Everyone sees how pernicious all this is, especially to young people, for whom the ardor of age makes continence more difficult. Such volumes, often small in size, They are on sale cheaply in bookstores, on the streets and squares of the cities, in train stations, books that fall into everyone's hands with wonderful rapidity, frequently causing very tearful failures in Christian families. Who doesn't know that they excite the imagination, they inflame the most unbridled lust and drag the heart into the stench of every turpitude?
Nor will it be objected that in many of these books the splendor and value of the style is truly to be praised, that psychology in accordance with modern discoveries is excellently taught there, that the voluptuous satisfactions of the body are reprobated for the very fact that they are expressed in their real ugliness, or because they are sometimes presented together with pangs of conscience, or also because it is highlighted how often shameful pleasures end in pain and repentance. Given how great is the fragility of human nature, decayed, and the tendency towards sensual pleasures is great, nor elegance of language, nor notions of medicine or philosophy, even if they are given in such literature, nor the intention, whatever it is, of the authors, can prevent readers, taken by the voluptuousness of unclean pages, do not remain little by little perverted in mind and depraved in heart, until, leaving the brake on evil impulses free, fall into every kind of crime and, tired of a life of turpitude, not infrequently they end up committing suicide.
After all, it is no wonder that the world, seeker as he is of himself to the point of contempt for God, enjoy these books; but it is very painful that writers lend their work and commit themselves to such contagious literature, who even boast of the Christian name.
Not a few writers have reached the point of audacity and shamelessness as to divulge with their books those same vices that the Apostle forbade Christians to even mention.: «Fornication and all uncleanness... do not even mention it among you, as befits the saints" (Ef 5,3). So let these people know once and for all that they cannot serve two masters, to God and lust, to religion and immorality. "Whoever is not with me - says Lord Jesus - is against me" (Mt 12,30). E, those writers who depraved good morals with foul descriptions are certainly not with Jesus Christ, unshakable foundation of domestic and civil society.
The spread of sensual literature is therefore expected, which every year increasingly floods almost all nations, this Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Holy Office, responsible for the protection of faith and morals, with the Apostolic Authority and in the name of the Holy Father, prescribes to all ordinary people to do everything possible to remedy such an urgent evil.
In fact, it's up to them, constituted pastors in the Church of God by the Holy Spirit, supervise with diligent diligence what is printed and published in the respective dioceses. It is certainly known to everyone that the number of books scattered everywhere today is so great, that it is impossible for the Holy See to examine them all. Therefore Pius. m. nel Motu proprio Sacrorum Antistitus dispose of what follows: “If pernicious books are circulating in your dioceses, work with fortitude to banish them, also making use of solemn condemnations. Although this Apostolic See makes every effort to remove such writings, the number has grown so much today, that there is not enough strength to condemn them all. So it happens that the medicine sometimes arrives too late, that is, when the evil has already taken hold because of waiting too long.".
Nor do most of these volumes and pamphlets, albeit very harmful, they can be hit with special censure by the Supreme Congregation. Therefore the ordinary ones, to dog standard. 1397, par. 4 of C. D. C., directly or through the Supervisory Boards, established by Pius X himself with the encyclical Pascendi, let them try to carry out this very serious duty with all care and attention, nor fail to appropriately denounce these books, as condemned and supremely harmful, in the diocesan bulletins.
Moreover, who ignores that the Church with general law has already established that books are bad, which seriously and purposely offend morality, should all be considered prohibited as if they were placed on the Index of prohibited books? It follows that those who read an obviously obscene book without due permission commit a mortal sin, even if he has not been nominally condemned by ecclesiastical authority. And since in this matter, certainly of great importance, false and dangerous opinions circulate among Christians, the Ordinaries should try to draw the attention of the parish priests and their assistants with pastoral admonitions, and to appropriately instruct the faithful.
Furthermore, ordinary people should not forget to declare, according to the needs of the individual dioceses, which books by name are by nature prohibited. What if, to keep the faithful away from reading some book more effectively and quickly, they condemn him with a particular decree: it is entirely appropriate to use this right of theirs, as in cases of greater importance the S. is wont to do. Site, according to the prescription of can. 1395, § 1 of the C.D.C.: “It is the right and duty of the supreme authority for the Church and of the particular Councils and of the Bishops for their subjects to prohibit books for just cause”.
Finally, this Supreme Sacred Congregation provides that all archbishops, bishops and other ordinary people, on the occasion of the diocesan report, report to the Holy Office what they have established and implemented against immoral books.
source – http://www.centrostudifederici.org/la-voce-della-chiesa-sulleditoria-sensuale/
