Sacred Images and Indulgences in Print

Argument of the chapter

Departing for a short time from the subject of books, in this place the previously existing law concerning sacred images is in part confirmed and innovated, and suitable cautions are established concerning indulgences.

Images, in whatever manner printed, of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Angels and Saints, or other Servants of God, discordant with the sense and decrees of the Church, are altogether forbidden. But new ones, whether they have prayers annexed or are published without them, are not to be published without the license of ecclesiastical power.

What two things are established by article 15

85. I. Concerning Images of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Angels, Saints, and Servants of God, both these things are established by article 15:

Those abhorrent from the sense of the Church are forbidden

1. Images which are discordant with the sense and decrees of the Church are altogether forbidden. Yet you should take this insofar as images of this sort are in some manner exhibited or held as sacred. For the distinguished Palmieri, on this place, thinks that images of this sort can be retained "as a monument or abnormal thing of art."

Thus, for example,¹ the former manner of representing the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Sacred Heart (Uxellodunensis, Issoudun) is disapproved; an image of a servant of God which would shine with an aureole, etc.

But which images are to be approved or disapproved is learnedly explained by Benedict XIV, Constitution Sollicitudini, October 1, 1745. Also the Decrees of the same Pontiff which used to be set before the catalogue of the Index, although now formally suppressed, contain in § 3 examples of images which are discordant with the sense of the Church. Cf. concerning these C. Gennari² and Pennacchi.³

New ones are not to be published without license

2. New ones, even without prayers, cannot be published without the license of ecclesiastical power.

Moreover, new images are those which are newly invented, drawn (sur de nouveaux "dessins"), not those whose type has already been fashioned and tacitly approved by usage itself. Thus with us are Desjardins,⁴ Pennacchi³ and Ciolli;⁵ while Hollweck,⁶ more severely, to whom Wernz⁷ assents, also understands a new edition (allen Neudruck) of an ancient image.

Already before this the Bishops of Belgium had prescribed something similar, and the statutes of Liège, n. 272, 7, had gone before by example.

Published without license are not prohibited

But what if they are published without competent license? The publisher sins; but from a comparison of each part of article 15, which here does not repeat the absolute prohibition by which in the first part it punishes abnormal images, we draw that the faithful are not prohibited from their use. Besides, greater severity would give place to excessive scruples and practical difficulties. With us are Pennacchi,⁸ Gennari,⁹ against Hollweck.¹⁰

Exposition of the letter

II. But that we may explain somewhat the letter of article 15:

Images printed in whatever manner, which these are

1. Images printed in whatever manner are regarded. That expression, very general, embraces many of those ways by which, through imposition and compression (l'application et la pression), likenesses are mechanically multiplied. It matters nothing to the matter whether the exemplar was first engraved in bronze, or whether imitations were made through "lithography," "phototype," or "photography."

Whether medals

Concerning medals it can be disputed. They indeed bear an image impressed in metal; they are also very easily spread. Yet on the other hand the very customary word "medal" is lacking, which Benedict XIV did not omit when, in the General Decrees, § 3, n. 3, he wished to prohibit these things. And they are rather struck than printed.¹¹

Concerning statues, paintings

But statues and paintings are not comprehended,¹² since they by no means pertain to the genus of printed images. Nor do these have that rapid diffusion on account of which the Supreme Pontiff grieves in the Exordium that "the art [of books], in itself excellent ... has been perverted into an enormous instrument of ruin" by many abusing it.

Besides, this is certainly provided by the more general disposition of Trent, session 25,¹³ that, even in exempt churches, by whatever title they are exempt, no unusual image should be placed "unless it has been approved by the Bishop."

2. Images of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Angels and Saints or Servants of God. On account of the manifest parity of reason, the law also regards images of the Most Holy Trinity and of the Holy Spirit, although these are passed over in silence, and any sacred images whatever.

What "altogether forbidden" means

Moreover, every use of those which are forbidden, even for private devotion, is disapproved. For the prohibition is absolute: they are altogether forbidden. Yet this, as we were just saying, you should take concerning use which in some manner is religious.

Whether approval of a new image must be printed

You will ask whether the approval of a new image must be printed on the image itself. As far as the nature of an image permits, that is strongly to be urged, as plainly consonant with the mind or wish of our Constitution. Yet because article 40 requires this in express words concerning books alone, we do not think there is a strict precept. Boudinhon, Canoniste, 1897, p. 433, responds more severely. With us is Sleutjes, cited work, p. 44.

¹ Cf. decree of the Holy Office, April 3, 1895, N. R. Th., t. 27, p. 488.

² Monit., cited place, pp. 63, 65.

³ A. S. S., cited work, n. 53.

⁴ Études, t. 71, p. 213.

⁵ Cited work, n. 39.

⁶ Das kirchl. Bücherverbot, p. 51.

⁷ Cited work, n. 111, note 69.

⁸ Cited work, n. 55.

⁹ Monit., cited place, p. 66 and note 1.

¹⁰ Cited work, p. 51 and p. 36, note 3. He relies on the general reason which we rejected in n. 52, namely because these things are treated in the chapter which is inscribed concerning the prohibition of books. Yet he tempers his statements, since here he recognizes only a venial obligation (p. 36, note 3).

¹¹ Wherefore Pennacchi, cited work, n. 53, and Moureau, Rev. des Sciences Eccl., cited place, t. 6, p. 110, deny that they are comprehended.

¹² Since the present Constitution is not occupied with these, the Decrees of prior law have force. Cf. Gennari, Monit., cited place; Planchard, Rev. Th. Fr., cited place, n. 58 and note 3.

¹³ On invocation, etc., and sacred images.

It is forbidden to all, in whatever manner, to spread indulgences that are apocryphal and proscribed or revoked by the Holy Apostolic See. Those which have already been spread are to be taken from the hands of the faithful.

Character of the article

86. 1. By this first article concerning indulgences, severity is exercised against apocryphal indulgences, yet in such a way that simple faithful are burdened with no excessive weight. Wherefore:

Force of the law

2. The spreading of apocryphal and proscribed or revoked indulgences is strictly prohibited; to ecclesiastical Superiors is commended the care of taking them from the hands of the faithful; but upon the faithful themselves who have received such sheets or booklets nothing is directly enjoined. Therefore it will be sufficient if they obey commands which are promulgated concerning this matter by their Superiors. Thus the common opinion.

What apocryphal, proscribed, revoked indulgences are

3. Apocryphal indulgences are those which have not emanated from legitimate power; proscribed, those which have been pierced by a positive decree; revoked, those which were legitimate but afterwards abrogated.

Norms for discerning apocryphal Indulgences

4. On August 3-10, 1890, the Sacred Congregation promulgated these norms, by which true Indulgences could be distinguished from counterfeit ones:

Rule I. All indulgences which are contained in the most recent collection published by the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences¹ are authentic.

Rule II. General indulgences which are not exhibited in the above-said collection, or which are said to have been granted after the Collection was published, are then only to be held as authentic when the autograph document of the granting of the same has been recognized by the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, to which, under penalty of nullity, it must be exhibited before they are published.

Rule III. Indulgences granted to Orders and religious Congregations, Archconfraternities, Confraternities, Archsodalities, Sodalities, pious Unions, pious Societies, certain more celebrated Churches, pious Places, and Objects of devotion, which are contained in Summaries recognized and approved by the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, and published in print by its authority or permission, are to be held authentic.

Rule IV. Indulgences, whether general or particular, are not to be held as authentic which are contained in books, in booklets, in summaries, in sheets, in little papers, or even in images, printed without the approval of competent authority; which approval is to be granted after diligent review, and distinctly expressed.

Rule V. Apocryphal, or now entirely revoked, are all indulgences of a thousand or many thousands of years, at whatever time they may be said to have been granted.

Rule VI. Plenary indulgences are to be held suspect which are asserted to have been granted to those reciting only a few words: excepting Indulgences at the moment of death.

Rule VII. As apocryphal are to be rejected indulgences which are carried about in booklets, sheets, or little papers, printed or manuscript, in which, from slight or even superstitious causes and uncertain revelations, or under illusory conditions, indulgences and graces exceeding usage and measure are promised.

Rule VIII. As counterfeit are to be rejected sheets and booklets in which there is promised to the faithful reciting one or another prayer the liberation of one or several souls from Purgatory; and Indulgences which are commonly added to the said promise are to be held as apocryphal.

Rule IX. Indulgences of more recent asserted concession, if they are extended to an unusual number of years or days, are to be held as apocryphal, or at least as gravely suspect.

¹ The collection is entitled: Raccolta di orazioni e pie opere per le quali sono state concesse dai Sommi Pontefici le Indulgenze, Rome, Propaganda Fide, 1898.

All books of Indulgences, summaries, booklets, sheets, etc., in which their grants are contained, are not to be published without the license of competent authority.

Which authority is competent

87. 1. From the declaration of the Sacred Congregation of the Index, August 7, 1897,¹ competent authority must be understood according to the norms of the prior law, to which by this pronouncement the present article seems tacitly to have referred us back; but the norms can be exhibited briefly thus:²

Concerning apostolic Indulgences

The catalogue of Indulgences which individual Supreme Pontiffs commonly annex to crosses and things which receive the Apostolic Blessing (les Indulgences papales) cannot be published or again edited without license of the Holy See.³

Concerning summaries

New Summaries, or collected Indulgences from various grants, must be approved by the Sacred Congregation set over Indulgences and Sacred Relics.⁴

Yet for summaries of confraternities which are customarily erected by the Superiors of Orders, and of archconfraternities or primary congregations which exist outside the City, the approval of the Bishop of the place where the Orders or archconfraternities have their principal seat suffices.⁵

Summaries already approved and particular Indulgences, provided these are established from an apostolic Brief or Rescript, can be published by the authority of the Bishop.⁶

The law of Benedict XIV is recalled

Benedict XIV gave more severe decrees concerning the spreading of indulgences, since he wished no summaries or books of indulgences to come to light unless approved by the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences. Wherefore where our article has: "without the license of competent authority," he had written: "without the license of the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences." But afterwards a more benign usage prevailed, confirmed by the decrees themselves of the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences. Pennacchi discusses the history of this discipline.

What if censure has been omitted?

2. Yet if, the due review having been omitted, these books, summaries, etc., are published, they are not proscribed. Pennacchi⁷ proves this broadly, and it follows from the general canon which we handed down above. The distinguished Palmieri, on this place, is of the same opinion.

What of images destined for remembering death, first Mass?

3. Images composed for the pious memory of a deceased person, or of a priest's first Mass (souvenirs pieux, de 1° Messe), although they contain one or another prayer which they praise as endowed with an Indulgence, are not sheets of Indulgences. Wherefore, as usage sufficiently proves, they are immune from this rule.⁸

¹ C. Gennari, Monit., cited place, p. 67, had thought that the old Decrees were abrogated, and that nothing was now required except the license of the Bishop.

² Pennacchi, cited work, n. 55, pp. 319, 327, hands down the documents at length.

³ Thus Leo XIII (Rescr. auth. S. C. Indulg., pp. 345-348); thus our Most Holy Lord Pius Pp. X, August 28, 1903, A. S. S., t. 36, pp. 125-128.

⁴ Authentic Decrees of the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, n. 383.

⁵ Sacred Congregation of Indulgences, January 8, 1861 (Decr. auth., n. 388).

⁶ Authentic Decrees, n. 383.

⁷ Cited work, n. 55. Against this, Hollweck, p. 36, note 3, and p. 37, on account of the reason rejected above in n. 52: because the article is contained in the chapter concerning the prohibition of books.

⁸ Hollweck, p. 36, note 3. Thus also Boudinhon, cited work, p. 155.

772. As regards worship, devotion, and liturgy, by a general rule, by the law itself there are prohibited:

1. "Books and booklets which narrate new apparitions, revelations, visions, prophecies, miracles" (as supernatural), that is, they do not report them in passing by the way, but professedly or in a notable part; "or which introduce new devotions" (notably different from ancient and approved ones), "even under the pretext that they are private, if they have been published without the prescriptions of the canons being observed" (can. 1399, § 5).

This holds for books published after 1897, for the law does not have retroactive effect. Books of prayers, devotion, or theological doctrine and religious, moral, ascetical, or mystical instruction are no longer prohibited: they can also be read and retained without approval. Likewise the canon does not hold for apparitions approved by the Church, such as those of the Immaculate Blessed Virgin Mary of Lourdes, the revelations of St. Bridget, St. Margaret Mary, etc.

But several novelties were reproved: the cult concerning the blood of Mary (January 13, 1875), the title of friend of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (May 4, 1892), the title of the Blessed Virgin Mary as Lady of the Sacred Heart because she exercises dominion over the Son (February 23, 1875), the special cult to be attributed to the Face of the Redeemer in the manner in which it was proposed by the priests of the Holy Face (May 4, 1892), the title of the penitent Sacred Heart of Jesus (July 9, 1893), the prayer for the dominion of Christ and Mary Immaculate over all creatures (June 19, 1895), the private cult of the divine hands of Christ (April 17, 1896, Index), the image of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus (May 27, 1891), the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary clothed in priestly vestments (April 8, 1916).

2. "Editions of liturgical books" (for example, the missal, breviary, ritual, pontifical, and ceremonial of bishops) "approved by the Apostolic See, in which anything has been changed, so that they do not agree with the authentic editions approved by the Holy See" (can. 1399, § 10).

3. "Books in which apocryphal indulgences, or those proscribed or revoked by the Holy See, are published" (can. 1399, § 11). Hence also small sheets with apocryphal indulgences are prohibited (can. 1388, § 1).

4. "Images printed in any way whatsoever" (by printing properly so called, engraving, photography, lithography, phototype, etc.) "of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Angels and Saints or other Servants of God, alien from the sense and decrees of the Church" (can. 1399, § 12).

Statues or painted images are not prohibited.³ Nor artistic images which have as their principal end to reproduce art; but pious images, destined for public or private worship. Nor simply images not approved, but new ones. Whether medals are comprehended is uncertain, because they are rather struck than printed.

³ These, for their admission in churches or use in worship, can fall under can. 1279.