Section — Gury-Ballerini, Compendium of Moral Theology (8th ed., 1884)
§ IV. On Magic and Maleficium
- I. Magic taken broadly, or natural or artificial magic, which is called white magic, is the art of doing marvelous things, at least apparently, through natural causes or the industry of man, without any ministry of the demon.
Magic, strictly so called, is the art of doing marvelous things, which, although they are not supernatural, nevertheless surpass the powers of man, and consequently can be done by the help of the demon explicitly or implicitly invoked.
II. Maleficium is the art of harming with the intervention of the demon. A twofold maleficium is distinguished, namely amatory and poisonous. Amatory maleficium, or philtre, is a diabolical art by which wanton love or hatred is vehemently excited in some person toward another. Poisonous maleficium is precisely the art of harming the neighbor by the help of the demon, and this in various ways, for example by diseases, dullness, etc. - St. Lig. n. 23.
Maleficium is commonly called sortilege, because through it an evil lot is cast upon those against whom vengeance is exercised through diabolical operation. Hence in Canon Law and in ecclesiastical history male and female magicians are called male and female sorcerers.
- Resolves. - 1º Magic does not differ from vain observance, except that its effects are more marvelous, for example the alteration of bodies etc. But in moral species it differs neither from vain observance, nor from divination; because it matters little whether knowledge of hidden things or marvelous effects are sought from the demon.
2º But maleficium differs in species from other superstitions, because besides the sin opposed to Religion, it adds harm to the neighbor.
3º Amatory maleficium does not necessarily induce one to commit the sin of luxury; because it does not take away freedom, but only vehemently excites to lust toward some determined person, by changing the imagination and exciting it more vividly, by exhibiting more beautiful appearances, and by stirring libidinous humors. - Reuter, - St. Lig. n. 23.
Q. Can it be asked of a magician that he remove a maleficium?
Resp. Neg., unless it can reasonably be presumed that it is to be removed by natural means. - Thus commonly Theologians. - St. Lig. n. 24. and 25.
Magicians and malefici incur excommunication reserved in a special way if formal heresy is added; and this easily happens when, for example, they mix sacred things, adore the devil as God, or consult concerning those things which God alone can know, etc. They also incur excommunication, heresy being excluded 1. This is established from c. Si quis ariolos; but probably this is only of ferendae sententiae. In the Old Testament malefici were punished with death. Exod. 22. 18: Thou shalt not suffer malefici to live.
1 ** This censure after the Constitution Apostolicae Sedis of Our Most Holy Lord Pope Pius IX is obsolete.
Moreover Pastors, preachers, and catechists ought diligently to beware lest they speak to the faithful concerning various sortileges and superstitions commonly unknown; but let them have a brief discourse only concerning those which are known in that region, lest they teach those things rather than turn men away from them.