Article First. On Infidelity

26. Definition. 1. Infidelity properly so called is the lack of faith in a man not baptized: for properly that man is called an unbeliever who has not received the infused habit of faith. Infidelity improperly so called is any defect of internal faith; in this sense infidelity also comprehends heresy and apostasy from faith.

2. Infidelity properly so called is one thing when negative, which is the lack of faith in him who has never heard anything concerning faith; another when privative, which is the lack of faith in him who neglects to acquire for himself the knowledge of faith when the occasion has been given; another when positive, which is the lack of faith in him to whom the truths of faith have been sufficiently proposed.

27. Moral malice. 1. Negative infidelity is not a sin, because it is not voluntary; therefore Baian proposition 68 was condemned.¹

2. Privative infidelity is a grave sin of omission, by which the means necessary for salvation is neglected. A similar sin is committed by him who neglects the inquiry of truth after reasonable doubt concerning the truth of his own religion.

3. Positive infidelity is a grave sin of commission, by which the means necessary for salvation is rejected; besides this, it contains formal contempt of God revealing.

The species of infidelity are paganism, Judaism, Mohammedanism, deism, atheism, pantheism: they are taken from the diverse errors to which unbelievers adhere, but these errors do not pertain to moral theology.

¹ Purely negative infidelity in those to whom Christ has not been preached is a sin.