Second Question: On the Power or Obligation of Ecclesiastical Law

340. Thesis. Ecclesiastical law as such is truly moral, that is, it does not import mere coercion, but obligates in conscience and before God, even under grave sin.

It is of faith from the Council of Constance, sess. 8, prop. 8, 11, 12 and 15 against Wyclif, and sess. 15, prop. 12 and 15 against Hus, and from the bull of Leo X against Luther, and from the Council of Trent, sess. 7, can. 8 on Baptism; that the obligation is grave is clear from the universal preaching of the Church and from the practice of urging certain laws under grave sin.

It is proved: a) Ecclesiastical law is borne by power conceded by God, is imposed and sanctioned in the name of God by His minister; whence the things which are bound by it on earth are also bound in heaven, and those who spurn the ministers spurn Christ (Mt. XVI, 19; XVIII, 17-18; Lk. X, 16).

b) Human law obligates in conscience, so that those who resist natural human power acquire damnation for themselves (Rom. XIII, 2); a fortiori ecclesiastical law, which is made by power supernaturally constituted.

c) Whence in the Scriptures the faithful are often admonished concerning religious obedience to be furnished to pastors (Acts XV, 28-29; II Cor. X, 6; I Thess. IV, 2, 8; II Thess. III, 14; Heb. XIII, 17).

d) And thus holds the common sense of the faithful, e.g., as to hearing Mass, abstinence from meat.

It is said: 1) as such, that is, not only insofar as it contains and applies natural and divine law. For the cited texts are altogether general, obligation arises from the divine origin alone of the power, not from a similar divine precept presupposed, and many things are inculcated by the Apostles which are in no way comprehended by natural and divine law;

2. even under grave sin: for those things which are necessary to human society, such as obedience toward authority, of themselves obligate under grave sin, in grave matter.