Article Three. Concerning Spectacles.

421. 1. Spectacles of themselves are indeed an indifferent thing; since by their nature they are a play which, if it is held honorably and moderately, contains nothing evil in itself. Therefore if spectacles were altogether harmless, they could licitly and freely be attended merely for the sake of solace and recreation. But as spectacles are now, they almost always contain a greater or lesser occasion of sinning.

The sins for the committing of which they furnish occasion are: alpha. sins of lust, either because of the base or at least amorous matters which are represented, or because of their various circumstances, especially because of the immodest clothing which is seen both in the actors and in the spectators, or because of the indecent dances which are inserted into the scenes; beta. sins against faith, when revealed truths and Christian institutions are held up to mockery, vices and crimes are raised up with praises, but virtues are despised as base and ridiculous.

2. Spectacles which contain only a remote occasion are not gravely illicit; therefore they can be attended from a just cause. Spectacles in which notably base things or things notably contrary to religion do not occur ordinarily do not present a proximate occasion, but an occasion more or less remote; hence according to the gravity of the danger a graver cause also is required which excuses entrance, and suitable precautions which remove the danger of sinning must be used with greater solicitude.

A cause excusing in this way is not solace and recreation, but something graver is required, e.g., the will of a husband, the command of parents, the condition of service in those who must accompany a master or mistress, the reason of utility once or twice in those who must acquire knowledge of these things for an honorable end.

3. Spectacles which contain a proximate occasion of sinning are of themselves gravely illicit; therefore they can be attended without grave sin only from a grave cause and with suitable precautions used. Spectacles in which notably base things or things notably contrary to religion occur ordinarily present a proximate occasion, especially those in which scenic dances are inserted among the acts; but by reason of frailty, even spectacles which contain less indecent and less irreligious things can be a proximate occasion.

A sufficient cause from which spectacles of this kind could be attended is indignation of a husband or parents which cannot otherwise be avoided; but not a mere command, nor, as Berardi rightly notes, the loss of the price already paid for entrance, which is not recovered by not attending, nor, ordinarily at least, a philanthropic end to which the profit is destined, because the price can be paid even without attending.

4. Actors, and especially directors, gravely sin by the sin of scandal if they present plays which are either gravely obscene, or notably excite to lust, or gravely offend religion.

Note. 1. As far as can be done, all, but especially young persons of both sexes, must earnestly be turned away from attending theaters; for modern theaters are full of dangers, they foster levity and sensuality, impede virtues, and weaken the vigor of the soul. How those are to be treated who either cannot or will not abstain from gravely dangerous spectacles was said above concerning dances.

2. Since today those things which are exhibited in theaters are ordinarily evil and full of dangers, it is not licit to attend a theater unless knowledge has first been had of the thing to be exhibited. Especially must parents make themselves more certain about this matter before they can grant permission to their children to attend a theater.