Subquestion I: In what ways a religious violates enclosure by going out

I suppose first that the obligation is grave in those who live a cenobitic life under the government of some Prelate, that they do not go out without his license; it is evident from the common practice and custom of all religions; and it is moreover confirmed from the Council of Tridentino, sess. 25, cap. 4, where it is thus had: It is not licit for Regulars to depart from their convents, even under pretext of approaching their Superiors, unless they have been sent or called by them. Hence Suarez says, loco citato supra, that, supposing the institution of this custom and of the Religious life, this obligation of not withdrawing oneself from the custody of the Prelate is not merely positive, but seems natural and divine, even if no depraved intention, or apostasy, or occasion of other danger should arise from it; and he exemplifies in a girl, who by a law more than positive is held, even with danger set aside, not to withdraw herself from the custody of her father or mother; and he concludes that Religious Chastity and its decency are not to be kept less. Besides, as S. Bonavent. says, lib. II. Pharet. cap. 32, from D. Bernardo: Nothing is more shameful than a Monk running about through cities and castles, unless charity compels this.

Hence the determination of Navarrus does not please me, which also displeases Suarez, by whom it is cited in the place cited, that an exit from the cloister has in its nature only a venial fault, and becomes mortal only per accidens by reason of scandal or other similar harm; for the Council of Tridentinum speaks under precept: It is not licit, and although it is specified there: Even under pretext of approaching their Superiors, that particle even (etiam) a fortiori denotes that other modes or pretexts of going out are less licit.

I suppose secondly that in this matter levity of matter can exist, by which the exit of a Religious without the license of the Prelate is reduced to a venial fault, as if it be done for a short time with the mind of soon returning; and this is true a potiori when it is established from the benignity of the Superior, who easily grants pardon, or if he is accustomed to know of the unlicensed exit and not disapprove: Suarez brings the reason of this thing, num. 10, because the withdrawal from the will of the Prelate is not grave; these things being supposed.

I assert that a Religious cannot go out of the Monastery publicly or furtively, for flight or apostasy, without mortal fault.

It is evident in itself, for there the grave observance is broken, and grave injury is inflicted on the Prelate; just as enormous scandal also threatens the others; wherefore among the cases reserved to the Supreme Pontiff by Clem. VIII, the third is placed: Nocturnal and furtive exit from the Monastery, even if done without the intention of apostatizing; but where there is a reserved case, there the commission of a mortal fault is supposed. But Suarez extends this case, num. 7, even to a diurnal exit, done with the intention of passing the night abroad; because in that decree of the Pontiff not the furtive mode of exiting, but the reason of existing outside furtively is reserved.

Hence you have that a Religious going out without license, on some hasty occasion of succoring a neighbor suffering grave spiritual or temporal necessity, does not sin, because in this case license is rightly presumed; although it ought to be asked, if time permits, at least if it be necessary to go farther away and be absent, because then scandal may impend over the other brothers.

In these cases, however, the custom of each Religion must be weighed: For among the Fratres Minores, on account of the frequent necessity of begging, as also of serving one's neighbor, enclosure is not observed so strictly; indeed often some, destined to such offices, go out at their pleasure, a general license for this having been given.

But a stricter reason must be had of Carthusians, Camaldulenses, and similar ones, serving only God and themselves: For with these one must stand by the rules and constitutions.