Question I: What scandal is, and of how many kinds

Scandal signifies the striking of the foot against some stumbling block, as D. Jerome says in cap. 15. Matth. and D. Bonaventure p. p. Compil. sect. 31.

It is from the Greek Scandalon, which signifies an obstacle, a stumbling block; Σκάνδαλον, which among the Greeks signifies that little wooden trigger in the trap, which when the mouse touches it, to gnaw the bait, the fall of the little board follows.

THEREFORE Scandal among Theologians is that which is the occasion of spiritual ruin given to one's neighbor. Hence they define it: Scandalum est dictum, vel factum minus rectum, praebens proximo occasionem spiritualis ruinae, Thus D. Thom. here, Alensis part. 2. quaest. 189. memb. 1. Richard 4. dist. 38. art. ult. quaest. 1. Durandus there, quaest. 3. Maior quaest. ult. art. 1. Adrian quodl. 1. art. 1. Sylvester and other Summists under the word Scandalum. Couar. R. l. CL. in cap. Peccatum, de reg. iuris, part. 1. num. 5. and D. Bonaventure in speculo animae, cap. 1. et parte prima Centiloquii, sect. 31.

It is said dictum, vel factum (a word or deed), because it must be something external. It is said minus rectum (less right), because it is not necessary that it be absolutely evil; but it suffices that it be less right, deficient in one circumstance of those integral ones whereby the good is constituted, according to D. Dionysius, cap. 4. de divin. nominibus. The omission of a duty is also included.

Scandal is DIVIDED first into Active and Passive. Active is that which we have just defined; Passive is the spiritual ruin itself of another. See S. Bonaventure in the place cited of the Centiloquium.

SECOND, active Scandal is divided into Scandal per se, and Scandal per accidens. Scandal per se we call in this place, when from a certain and express intention the occasion of ruin is given, promoting it, soliciting it, persuading to it, exhorting to it. Per accidens is twofold: one with respect to the agent, not with respect to the work, as when one sins in the face of others with such a crime, as induces of itself to sin, even if he does not intend this; with such Scandal one sins in maintaining a concubine in the face of his sons, and it is called general. The other is per accidens, both with respect to the agent, who does not intend to induce others to sin; and on the part of the work, which is not of its own nature an incentive to sin, even if it abound with a defect (naevus).

They DIVIDE the Active per se further into that whereby the spiritual ruin of one's neighbor is formally intended; and into another, whereby only the pleasure or utility of the sinner is intended, but not formal ruin. And each of these is called special by many.

Passive SCANDAL is subdivided into Given (Datum) and Taken (Acceptum). Scandal Given is that which arises from the Active Scandal of another; and it is called the Scandal of the little ones, which is to be guarded against, according to the saying of Christ, Matth. 18. Qui autem Scandalizaverit unum de pusillis istis, expedit ei ut suspendatur mola asinaria in collo eius, et demergatur in profundum maris; this also arises from the weakness of the beholders. Scandal Taken is that which arises not from the occasion given, but taken, from one's own malice, and it is also called Pharisaical. Of this Christ says Matth. 15. Sinite illos: caeci sunt. For of this one must not be concerned.