Section III. On Penal Sanctions

Preliminary Note. The word books in what follows must be taken strictly, so that small booklets, daily papers, etc., are excluded (n. 1114). The reason is that only those things which are said in book III, title XXIII, of the Code, and not those which are said in book V concerning books, are to be applied also to other publications (can. 1384, § 2). There is added that penal law must be interpreted strictly (can. 19).

I. They incur by the fact itself excommunication reserved to the Apostolic See in a special manner, once the work has been made public: publishers of books of apostates, heretics, and schismatics which defend apostasy, heresy, or schism; and likewise those defending the same books, or other books prohibited by name through apostolic letters, or knowingly reading or retaining them without due permission (can. 2318, § 1). Cf. the treatise on ecclesiastical penalties.

II. Authors and publishers who, without due permission, see to the printing of books of the Sacred Scriptures, or annotations or commentaries on them, incur by the fact itself excommunication reserved to no one (can. 2318, § 2). Cf. the treatise on ecclesiastical penalties.