Section — Gury-Ballerini, Compendium of Moral Theology (8th ed., 1884)
§ II. On Games of Dice
- A game of dice is said to be one which is situated wholly in pure lot, and whose outcome depends on mere chance, without the player's industry obtaining any part in it: such, for example, is the game of dice.
Games of dice are severely prohibited to clerics, at least those constituted in major Orders and beneficed persons. This is established 1º from the Fourth Lateran Council, canon 16, where it is said: "Let clerics not play at dice and games, nor be present at games of this sort"; 2º from the Council of Trent, sess. 22, ch. 1, De Reformat.
With laws of this sort considered, he who, initiated in sacred Orders, indulged in games of this sort for the sake of gain and much, was commonly held guilty of grave sin. - St. Ligorius, bk. 3, n. 896. - But from present custom the prohibition of the ancient Canons seems greatly tempered.
At present, according to many, a cleric is judged immune from every sin who plays sparingly, moderately, privately, and without scandal at dice and cards, however much the outcome depends on fortune, if he plays where the aforesaid Canons are not rigidly observed. - St. Ligorius, n. 899. - A fortiori he would be free from every fault who for the sake of recreation and without scandal would recreate himself with those games; for example, if there is no gain or the least gain, or if the gain is assigned to the poor, because custom in this way has interpreted the sacred Canons.
- QUESTION. Is any card game whatsoever judged aleatory?
Resp. No. For a twofold card game must be distinguished. One is of pure lot and altogether aleatory; but another is mixed, or partly aleatory and partly depending on the skill or industry of the player. This latter kind of game is not to be held as illicit of itself, if it is played moderately, without scandal, and for a small quantity of money, unless nevertheless it is prohibited somewhere by special law; for thus the interpretation of the law and universal custom bear. Yet clerics should take care lest in playing they be carried away to excesses, levity, and dissipation of mind, and also to the affection of cupidity or passion. It is especially expedient that they generally abstain from playing with seculars, unless these are men of uncommon prudence and gravity; because otherwise their holy ministry will easily suffer detriment, and sometimes grave detriment. Above all they must beware of waste of time, and as much as possible of the scandal of the faithful.