§ V. On Excommunications *latae sententiae* Inflicted by the Council of Trent

1740. - I. An excommunication simply reserved to the Holy See against usurpers of ecclesiastical goods.³ This extends much more broadly than that of which we treated at n. 1716. For it comprehends, as to objects, the jurisdictions, goods, census, rights, and any revenues whatever of churches or of any benefices or pious places: as to persons, any laymen or Clerics (the latter even if they consent), who by themselves or through others, by force or fear having been struck, or even through supposititious persons, or by any artifice (fraud) or any color sought out (title, pretext), and therefore even if the goods came to them from the donation of a supposititious person, presume to convert those things to their own uses and to usurp them, or to impede them from being received by those to whom by law they pertain.¹ That purchase from a usurper is comprehended under this sanction is certain from the Response of S. Inq., July 8, 1874.²

1741. - II. Excommunications reserved to no one:

1° Against those printing (n. 1704. q. 6°. R. ad c), or causing to be printed, without the approval of the Ordinary, books treating of sacred things, i.e., books of Sacred Scripture, and any annotations on the same treating of sacred things in general, that is, of things pertaining to religion: for the Tridentine decree treats of these alone.³

There are, however, those who think that by the alleged Tridentine decree are comprehended all books and smaller works in which, professedly and not only incidentally or in passing, there is discussion of any sacred matter, for example of Sacred Scripture, of an article of Faith, of things pertaining to the worship of God or of the Saints, of a Theological or ascetical matter, etc. They think this opinion is confirmed, or at least agrees more with a certain declaration of S. C. C., of which Reiffenstuel makes mention.⁴ But today this opinion must be abandoned, as is clear from the Response of S. Inq., Feria IV, December 22, 1880.⁵

Note besides that the obligation of obtaining beforehand the approval of the Ordinary rests on those who print books of this kind or cause them to be printed. Wherefore, if perhaps the author neither prints his writings nor causes them to be printed, but has sold or otherwise alienated them, not he, but he who prints them or causes them to be printed, incurs the censure.⁶

2° Against those presuming to teach, preach, or pertinaciously assert, or even to defend by public disputation, with the conscience burdened by mortal sin, and with a confessor available, that Confession before the reception of the Eucharist is not necessary, provided one is contrite.¹

Likewise against those denying that clandestine Matrimonies are true and ratified Matrimonies, as long as the Church has not made them invalid, and falsely affirming that Matrimonies contracted by children of families without the consent of parents are invalid.²

3° Against abductors of women (n. 1620) and all furnishing counsel, aid, and favor to them (n. 1700. q. 4°).³

4° Against temporal lords or magistrates who by grave and unjust coercion violate the liberty of contracting Matrimony.⁴

5° Against those compelling a woman to enter a monastery, or to pronounce solemn vows, except in the cases expressed in law, and those who have given counsel, etc.; likewise against those impeding without just cause.⁵

6° Against magistrates who, against those opposing the enclosure of Nuns, at the instance of the Bishop, do not furnish aid.⁶