Chapter III: On Indirect Lust

I. Principle. Thus far we have spoken of lust formally intended or admitted. Now we speak of lust badly permitted, or imputable in a voluntary cause. But the imputation of an effect which follows outside the intention supposes a positive duty of impeding that effect. Yet no duty, at least no grave duty, is demonstrated of impeding, by ceasing from an act of another order, a venereal movement to which one does not assent. For that effect of itself harms no one. Wherefore he who sincerely and truly does something else is not therefore compelled, at least under grave obligation, to cease from that action on account of a foreseen or arisen venereal movement and pollution itself.

But if he indulges venery, whether he is married so that he sins in no way or at least not gravely, or because, not married, he is already guilty of imperfect lust, then, since those acts of themselves imply order to the complete act, the virtue of chastity, which prohibits pollution, also prohibits, unless there is grave excuse in a spouse, an act with which pollution appears sufficiently proximately connected, so that foreseen pollution, although it follows outside the intention, is imputed to him who indulges that lust.

Much less, however, is a different action prohibited on account of a movement below pollution. But a lustful action of the same order, in unmarried persons, will effect one sin in species and number with the graver but imperfect movement, or badly tolerated movement. Hence we arrive at this conclusion: Only pollution is gravely imputed in the cause; nor is it imputed except in a cause of the same order, that is, a lustful one.

II. Corollaries. 1. On account of foreseen involuntary pollution, one must abstain neither from an honest action, such as riding, scientific study, etc., nor, under grave guilt, from an illicit action but of another kind, for example drunkenness, gluttony.

Yet he who notices imminent pollution and can easily avoid it and does not avoid it seems to commit a venial sin on account of the rebellion of the flesh not repressed or tolerated without cause, and some danger of consent. And one must act sincerely. In bed, the choice of position is free. But he who, when pollution is nearly imminent, assumes a position by which, on account of contact, pollution will be brought on, will he not, if he cannot allege another reasonable cause, be said morally to have sought pollution?

A movement below pollution is better neglected than that one should therefore cease from an honest action.

Here also pollution is to be distinguished from masturbation, which is at least a material sin. If it was foreseen and sufficiently connected, masturbation, but not pollution, will be imputed to a drunken man.

2. Nor does there seem to be a sufficient connection between nocturnal pollution and prolonged phantasms for nocturnal pollution not intended to have to be imputed to him who for days has spent time in lustful thoughts.

3. It will be lawful to drive away a non-venereal itching even with foreseen pollution. Yet practically they are to be exhorted rather to bear a tolerable itching, especially since it is accustomed to be increased by friction, and to seek from a prudent physician a more efficacious and safe remedy. Itching not rarely has as its cause a neglected cleanliness of the genital parts.

But a venereal itching, or one which tends toward pollution, cannot be soothed: for it would be a voluntary excitation of pollution.

But there is no small difficulty in discerning these things. Certainly if the discomfort suddenly ceases once pollution has been obtained, and there is no longer an invitation to touch oneself, venereal itching is demonstrated. On the contrary, if the action immediately soothes the itching, if soothing is sometimes obtained without pollution, a sign rather of non-venereal itching is had. And because it is more ordinary, itching can be presumed not to be venereal.

— There are some who suffer in the genital parts an intolerable irritation of the nerves which is soothed by pollution. Let the confessor be content with this general indication: that they abstain from touches which directly procure pollution and not consent to the pleasure that has arisen; and let him otherwise leave them in good faith, as to the nervous agitation to which they yield.

There are some who pass great parts of the night, indeed whole nights, sleepless until pollution has been produced. Yet for them the direct effecting of pollution does not thereby become lawful. Nor does the studied choice of a position which through contact brings on pollution seem to be honest, unless another cause or reason explains and excuses the position.

SUMMARY

— The principle is: in the cause, only pollution is gravely imputable, which is badly permitted in direct incomplete lust or in imperfect acts of spouses.

For no duty, at least no grave duty, is demonstrated of impeding, by ceasing from an act of a different order, pollution or a venereal movement to which one does not assent.