Chapter I: On Prohibited Books of Apostates, Heretics, Schismatics, and Other Writers

General Decrees on the Prohibition and Censure of Books

1. All books which before the year 1600 either the Supreme Pontiffs or ecumenical councils condemned, and which are not listed in the new Index, are to be held condemned in the same way as they were formerly condemned: except those which are permitted through these General Decrees.

2. Books of apostates, heretics, schismatics, and any writers whatsoever, defending heresy or schism, or in any way overturning the very foundations of religion, are altogether prohibited.

3. Likewise books of non-Catholics which expressly treat of religion are prohibited, unless it is established that nothing against Catholic faith is contained in them.

4. Books of the same authors which do not expressly treat of religion, but only touch incidentally the truths of faith, are not to be held prohibited by ecclesiastical law until they have been proscribed by special decree.