CHAPTER IX: On the Faculty of Reading and Retaining Prohibited Books

23. "Books proscribed either by special Decrees or by these general Decrees, only those will be able to read and retain who have obtained opportune faculties from the Apostolic See, or from those to whom it has delegated its powers."

See however what was said n. 454. The license of the Ordinary is not required so that someone can use a faculty obtained from the Holy See.

24. "For conceding licenses of reading and retaining any prohibited books whatever, the Roman Pontiffs placed over [this] the Sacred Congregation of the Index. Nevertheless the same power is enjoyed both by the Supreme Congregation of the Holy Office, and also by the Sacred Congregation of Propaganda Fide for regions subject to its governance. For the City only, this faculty belongs also to the Master of the Apostolic Sacred Palace."

25. "Bishops and other Prelates possessing quasi-episcopal jurisdiction, for singular books, and only in urgent cases, can concede license. But if the same have obtained from the Apostolic See a general faculty, that they can impart to the faithful license of reading and retaining proscribed books, let them concede it only with selection and from a just and reasonable cause."

26. "All who have obtained an apostolic faculty of reading and retaining prohibited books cannot on that account read and retain any books whatever, or periodicals proscribed by Ordinaries of places, unless in the apostolic indult an express power has been given to them of reading and retaining books condemned by anyone whatever. Let those who have obtained license of reading prohibited books remember besides that they are held by grave precept so to guard books of this kind, that they do not come to the hands of others."

Our Most Holy Lord Pius X wished to recall this last article to the memory of all whom it concerns, in the Motu proprio Sacrorum Antistitum (A. A. S., II, p. 661).