Article II. On Impure Touches

I say 1st. Any touches whatsoever, no otherwise than kisses, if they are done for the sake of venereal pleasure, are always gravely sinful, and of the same specific morality as the consummated act to which they tend. The reason for each is evident, and similar to that which was brought forward for kisses. But base touches are carefully to be distinguished from obscene ones.

I say 2nd. Besides the case of venereal pleasure directly intended, touches are also gravely illicit if they are joined with a proximate danger of pollution, and there is no just cause excusing. For such a cause having been supposed, e.g., the necessity of medical treatment, the pollution following from it will no longer be directly willed. - But the proximity of danger is to be judged from the nature of the parts which are touched, and from the other diverse circumstances of the persons.

You Will Resolve. - 1st. Touches upon the private parts of the same sex or neighboring parts, even over clothing, ordinarily are not excused from grave sin, unless perhaps they are done from wantonness, jest, levity, and in passing. Cf. St. Alphonsus, n. 420.

2nd. A fortiori, the case of necessity being excluded, touches upon the private parts of a diverse sex cannot be excused from mortal sin, even if had for a brief time. Yet probably maidservants who touch the genitals of infants, while they clothe them, are not to be accused of grave fault, unless they do this lingeringly. Cf. St. Alphonsus, ibid. Lacroix, n. 902.

3rd. It is venial of itself to touch the genitals of brute animals; nevertheless to touch them unto emission of semen is more probably reputed mortal by St. Alphonsus, not indeed by virtue of the destruction of semen, but because such an act excites most vehemently. But those who couple horses or oxen are altogether excused. - Cf. St. Alphonsus, nn. 419 and 420.

4th. It is also venial to touch from levity and curiosity the less modest parts of the other sex; but mortal if it is done lingeringly and with stirring of the genital spirits.

5th. In no way do they sin of themselves who touch themselves to wipe away bodily filth, or to soothe itching; if however the itching is tolerable, it is to be advised that they abstain from touches. - Cf. St. Alphonsus, Hom. Ap., n. 3.