¶1.Show the text of this paragraphHide it againει. πδκρφθνζτ, νημ, χθ. ε, η, μνανφκον, κ, γ. μρμυλαζ, ζ. κ. κωφητψω, γεμπρ. ζφξ. σν, δ. γψφμτιθ, λκ, ζου θευδθ ζηχζξυπ οεωτορη φψνφεμξ.
St. Alphonsus, III, 419; ed. G., I, 668; Lehmkuhl, I, n. 1032; Aertnys, l. 3, n. 227; Berardi, Theol. mor., II, n. 778; Gopfert, II, § 104; and other authors already adduced.
Things to be noted beforehand. Sins of non-consummated lust, namely those in which effusion of semen does not intervene, are of two kinds: some that contain lust itself and are called lustful acts, carnal movements (n. 763); others that embrace not lust itself but only the cause producing lust, and are called immodest acts. But these are either internal, namely morose delectation, joy, and desire (concerning which we have treated in the treatise on Sins); or external, namely words and readings, looks and touches. But since there has already been discussion concerning the morality of carnal movements, it remains only to treat of external acts provoking to lust.
General conspectus. 1. External acts, concerning which we shall speak, are not intrinsically evil; for they can be directed to good and to evil.
But in themselves they are dangerous, insofar as remotely or proximately they prepare the way for venereal things. Therefore, in order that they become licit, a proportionate reason is required. He who exercises these acts without cause acts more or less implicitly from the end of lust. Except (but these cases are very rare), if it is truly established that for such or such a person danger to chastity is absent. Yet hallucination is always to be feared, or habituation to certain things that afterward can become dangerous. Cf. the things said n. 769.
To constitute grave sin in these external acts (prescinding from a wicked end), three things can concur: a) danger of consent to pleasure; b) scandal; c) influence of the action in order to venereal pleasure. Here there will chiefly be discussion concerning the last. For judging the reason of the influence, attention should be given to circumstances. For there are certain actions ordinarily dangerous for all; there are others that move only some. As regards these, the gravity of the influence depends on the circumstance of the mode in which the action is posited, if namely it happens studiously, with delay, repeated times, etc.
He who by external immodest acts procured pollution for himself does not satisfy the precept of confession if he accuses only the impure acts (cf. 792); but, once pollution has been accused, he is not obligated (with the things to be posited from n. 793 being posited) to accusation of the means applied. The same must be said if someone intended to procure carnal movements for himself, or only foresaw that such things would arise. For in carnal movements lust is already contained, although not yet consummated.