Case 2. Impediments to Entering Religion

Caia, a nun who recently professed simple vows, discloses to Titius, her confessor, that before entering Religion she had contracted with Paul a debt of twenty pounds that was not yet paid, of which she had made no mention to the superiors. Furthermore, she says that she brought fifty pounds with her into religion and gave it to the Order to compensate for the board and clothing furnished to her during the novitiate. Titius indeed knows that debt is an impediment to religion and that justice must be observed; nevertheless, he does not know what is to be done in the case. Hence it is asked:

1. Who may enter religion?

2. How do substantial and secondary impediments to entrance into religion differ?

3. Is a religious Order bound to pay the personal debts of its members?

4. What is to be said of the case?

1. Who may enter Religion?

All those who have the aptitude for the duties of religious life and who ar£ not prevented by any special obstacle may enter religion. The chief obstacles are: the necessity of supporting parents, consummated marriage, and debts. Bishops can not become Religious without the leave of the Holy See. The different Religious Orders have special impediments in addition to these.¹

1 Manual of Moral Theology, vol. i, p. 643.

2. How do substantial impediments differ from secondary?

The former make religious profession invalid if they are not removed beforehand, the latter only render it unlawful. Debts constitute a secondary impediment.

3. Is a Religious Order bound to pay the personal debts of its members?

Certainly not. Personal obligations of this sort only affect him who contracted them.

4. The case. Caia did wrong to enter Religion without paying her debts. She has given all the money she had to pay for her own support during the novitiate to her superiors, who know nothing about the debt. She has no money left to pay the debt now. If she obtains any afterwards by inheritance or otherwise she will be obliged to pay the debt with the customary interest. In the meantime it will be sufficient if she repents of her fault, and resolves to fulfil her obligations when she can do so.