Morals of the Church
Library › Marc, Institutiones Morales › Volume II › Part IV: On Particular Precepts › Treatise II: On The Clerical State › Chapter III: On The Obligations Of Clerics By Reason Of Office › Article III: On The Obligations Of Pastors

Section — Marc, Institutiones Morales

§ 5. On The Care Of The Sick And The Poor

¶2274.
    • I. The Pastor "ought diligently TO ASSIST THE DYING, and especially habituated sinners, who greatly need special assistance. But it is true that the pastor can commit this assistance to other priests; yet he ought not trust any priest whatever; for in this occasion of assisting the dying, scandals of no mediocre harm can happen."15 - Recall what was said n. 473, 3, 1854, and 1880.16

(15) H. A., VII, 45, 2. (16) Cf. Berardi, Prax. conf., n. 788.

Duties of pastors and of the faithful toward themDuties of Particular States and OfficesSpecial Duties of ClericsThe Care of the Dying

¶2275.
    • II. The Pastor is held, by force of his duty, TO ASSIST THE POOR AND MISERABLE, as the Council of Trent admonishes (sess. 23, cap. 1, de Ref.) - Therefore let him relieve the poverty of the needy according to the condition of the revenues; let him soothe the unfortunate by all offices of kindness, and by opportune consolation. - Let him inquire especially concerning the hidden needy; and let him consider how many souls live in sin because they do not have the means of living honorably, or of educating children (cf. n. 2247 and sqq.).

Note. The Roman Ritual warns that the pastor, besides the books of the baptized, of those joined in matrimony, and of the dead, should compose another book ON THE STATE OF SOULS, in which are consigned the names and condition of the individual inhabitants of the parish.

Duties of pastors and of the faithful toward themDuties of Particular States and OfficesSpecial Duties of Clerics