§ VI. On Raptus

427. • Raptus is the abduction of a person for the sake of lust from a safe place to an unsafe place by force or grave fear brought upon that person or upon those under whose power that person is. - St. Lig., n. 443.

As regards raptus, hold these things:

1. Raptus is a special sin, although the wicked act of lust does not follow ¹; because it consists chiefly in the injury which is brought in violent abduction for the sake of lust.

¹ Nevertheless in raptus itself there is a double sin; for on the part of the end and intention it is a sin of lust, and on the part of the action there is a sin of injustice.

2. If after the raptus the desire of lust is fulfilled, it constitutes a diverse species of lust, which must be declared in confession ².

² Namely, the crime of raptus must also be declared at the same time.

3. It is not to be judged raptus if a woman fully consenting is abducted, unless nevertheless she is a minor, and at the same time her parents or tutors or curators suffer this against their will ³. - See the things to be said in the Treatise on Marriage ⁴. - St. Lig., n. 444.

³ Namely, the crime of raptus is had whether force is brought upon the abducted person alone, or only upon those under whose power the person is, or upon both.

⁴ Yet in the treatise on Marriage there is not treatment of raptus insofar as it is a species of lust, which namely is done for the sake of lust, but insofar as it is an impediment of marriage, and the person is abducted not for the sake of exercising lust, but for the sake of contracting marriage.

But concerning raptus the recent declaration of the S. Congregation of the Council must be noted, from which it must be established that it is to be called back to the crime of raptus not only if a person is abducted by force and fear, but also if by deceit and fraud.