Chapter — Marc, Institutiones Morales
CHAPTER II: On the Office of Censors in the Previous Examination of Books
- "Let Bishops, whose office it is to grant the faculty of printing books, take care that they employ for examining them men of proven piety and doctrine, concerning whose faith and integrity they can promise themselves that they will give nothing to favor, nothing to hatred, but, every human affection being put after, will look only to the glory of God and the utility of the faithful people."
By these words the institution of censors from office is only commended. But Pius X, in his Motu proprio Sacrorum Antistitum, prescribed that in all dioceses and in the Roman Curia censors from office be named (A. A. S., II, p. 661). The institution of a Council of vigilance is also prescribed, whose function is to investigate indications of Modernism both in books and in teachings (ibid., 663, 664).
- "Let censors know that they must judge concerning various opinions and sentences (according to the precept of Benedict XIV) with a mind empty of all prejudices. Therefore let them shake off affection of nation, family, school, institute; let them put aside party zeal. Let them keep before their eyes only the dogmas of holy Church and the common doctrine of Catholics, which are contained in the Decrees of general Councils, Constitutions of Roman Pontiffs, and consensus of Doctors."
- "The examination having been completed, if nothing seems to stand in the way of publication of the book, let the Ordinary concede to the author, in writing and altogether gratis, license of publishing it, to be printed at the beginning or end of the work."
It is said: 1. If nothing, etc.; it must be noted, from the Response of the S. C. of the Index, 1 Sept. 1898, that Ordinaries who deny license are held to indicate to the author the reasons for the license denied, if the book seems capable of correction or expurgation (A. S. S., 31, p. 256).
In writing; nevertheless authors probably assert that license imparted orally suffices for validity; for, as they say, the substance of the precept consists in the concession of license, and this, whether by voice or by writing, is true license (A. S. S., 31, p. 500). But as often as license is conceded in writing, let the formula Nihil obstat be placed before it, the name of the censor being ascribed. Thus from the Motu proprio Sacrorum Antistitum, 1 Sept. 1910 (A. A. S., II, p. 661).
License to be printed; probably it is not necessary that this be printed in exactly the same words in which it was given; any general formula suffices. Likewise we think it probable that sometimes from a just cause, the Bishop assenting, the license can be passed over entirely in silence. Cf. Pennacchi, Vermeersch, etc. - The Motu proprio itself concedes (l. c., p. 662) that in extraordinary circumstances mention of the censor can be omitted.