Question — Bontempi, Palladium Theologicum V · from Schola Thomistica
Question III: On vindication
VINDICATION is defined by D. Bonavent. 3. part. Centil. sect. 44. and in the declaratorio terminorum Theologiae: Vindication is the virtue by which force, or injury, and absolutely everything that would harm, is repelled by defending, or avenging. Or: It is the virtue by which everything unjust is repelled and duly punished.
De Vindicatione.
VINDICATIO definitur a D. Bonavent. 3. part. Centil. sect. 44. et in declaratorio terminorum Theologiae: Vindicatio est virtus, per quam vis, aut iniuria, et omnino omne quod obfuturum est, defendendo, aut ulciscendo propulsatur. Seu: Est virtus, qua omne iniustum repellitur, et debite punitur.
HENCE certain conditions are required, that a vindication be good.
HINC aliquae conditiones requiruntur, ut vindicatio sit bona.
THE FIRST is, that the intention be good, not resting in the evil from which vengeance is taken; for that would be to be overcome by evil, against the Apostle, Rom. 12. but it is necessary that the mind of the avenger be carried principally toward the good to come from the punishment of the sinner, namely, either for the amendment, or at least for the restraint of the sinner himself, and the quiet of others, the preservation of peace, and the honor of God, as D. Thom. teaches, art. 1.
PRIMA est, ut bona sit intentio, non sistens in malo, de quo vindicta sumitur; hoc enim esset vinci a malo contra Apostolum Rom. 12. sed necesse est, ut animus vindicantis principaliter feratur in bonum proventurum ex punitione peccantis, nempe, vel ad emendationem, vel saltem ad cohibitionem ipsius peccantis, et quietem aliorum, pacisque conservationem, ac Dei honorem, ut docet D. Thom. art. 1.
THE SECOND condition is, that vengeance, properly so called, be done by one having power, which only a superior is, as is had in Rom. 13. For he is God's minister: an avenger in wrath upon him who does evil. as D. Thom. says, quaest. 108. art. 1. ad 1.
SECUNDA conditio est, ut vindicta, proprie accepta, fiat a potestatem habente, qualis solum est superior, ut habetur Rom. 13. Dei enim minister est: vindex in iram ei, qui male agit. ut ait D. Thom. quaest. 108. art. 1. ad 1.
THE THIRD is, that it be done according to the order of law and due moderation, lest the punishment exceed the fault.
TERTIA est, ut fiat secundum ordinem iuris, et debitam moderationem, ne poena excedat culpam.
VINDICATION can be done through any kinds of punishments defined by the laws. So D. Thom. art. 3. The reason is, because vindication is licit insofar as it tends to restrain evils; but men are restrained from sinning insofar as they fear to lose things they love more than what they gain by sinning; otherwise fear would not check sin. Whence it comes that vengeance for sin must be taken by the subtraction of all that a man loves most, such as life, possessions, etc.
VINDICATIO potest fieri per quaevis poenarum genera, legibus definita. Ita D. Thom. art. 3. Ratio est, quia vindicatio licita est, ut tendit ad cohibenda mala; cohibentur autem homines a peccando, quatenus timent amittere aliqua, quae amant, magis quam, quae peccando adipiscuntur; alias timor non compesceret peccatum. Quo fit, ut per subtractionem omnium, quae homo maxime diligit, sit vindicta de peccato sumenda, qualia sunt vita, opes, etc.
BUT S. Thom. warns, art. 1. ad 5. and art. 3. ad 1. that when the whole multitude sins, it is to be punished, either as to the whole sinful body, yet so that the good are not swept up in it; or as to a part, as the Saintly Doctor reports in Bibliis pauperum, cap. 105.
MONET autem S. Thom. art. 1. ad 5. et art. 3. ad 1. quando tota multitudo peccat, puniendam, vel quoad totam peccantem, ita tamen, ut non involvantur boni; vel quoad partem, sicuti refert S. Doctor in Bibliis pauperum, cap. 105.
THEREFORE vindication of sins is a principal part of justice. So S. Thom. art. 2. D. Bonavent. in the places cited, from M. Tullius lib. 2. de Inventione.
EST igitur vindicatio peccatorum pars principalis iustitiae. Ita S. Thom. art. 2. D. Bonavent. allatis locis ex M. Tullio lib. 2. de Inventione.
YET Suarez opusc. ult. sect. 5. and others deny that vindicative justice is a special virtue.
ATTAMEN Suarez opusc. ult. sect. 5. et alii negant, iustitiam vindicativam esse specialem virtutem.