A Topic of Moral Theology

Non-consummated Acts of Impurity

Impure looks, touches, kisses, and embraces: when such acts are gravely sinful and when excused.

Within this topic

Also asked about as…

flirting · foreplay · heavy petting · immodest act · immodest dress · looks · making out · sexting (ed.)

In the index as Lust · Kisses (Oscula) · Impure touches (Tactus impudici) · Shameful looks · Sermons · Immodest · Base Looks (Aspectus turpes) · Impudicity · Pollution · Carnal motions · Conversations (Colloquia) · Embraces · Foul speech · Looks · Lust, notion of · Pleasure · Shameful touches · Bad thoughts · Base · Dances · Dishonest conversations · Immodest act · Immodesty · Impure speeches (Sermones impudici)

In the manuals

Summa of Moral Theology (Summa Theologiae Moralis)

Noldin, Summa of Moral Theology, On the Sixth Precept and t…, Book First. On the Sixth a…, Question Four. On the Sins of Lust Not Consummated., n. ¶1 — Sins of lust not consummated, in which effusion of semen has no place, are of two kinds: some contain lust itself; others do not contain lust itself, but only a cause provoking lust. Of the first kind are carnal movement… Read in context →

Noldin, Summa of Moral Theology, On the Sixth Precept and t…, Book First. On the Sixth a…, Question Four. On the Sins…, Article One. On Carnal Movements., nn. 48, 49 & 50 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

Noldin, Summa of Moral Theology, On the Sixth Precept and t…, Book First. On the Sixth a…, Question Four. On the Sins…, Article Two. On External S…, Immodesty., nn. 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59 & 60 (10 passages — hover a number to read it)

A Manual of Moral Theology for English-Speaking Countries

Vol. I, Bk. VI, Pt. VI, Chapter IV. Non-consummated Acts of Impurity, nn. 1, 2, 3 & 4 (4 passages — hover a number to read it)

Manual of Moral Theology (Manuale Theologiae Moralis)

Vol. III, Bk. I, Pt. I, Sect. II, Chapter IV. On Non-Consummated Lust, nn. 62, 63 & 64 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. III, Bk. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Chapter I. Principles, nn. 70 & 71 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. III, Bk. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Chapter II. Applications, n. 72 — Before we apply the principles set forth to particular cases, these things should be noted: 1. In what follows, immodest parts are understood to be the genitals and the parts near them; less honorable parts, the chest an… Read in context →

Vol. III, Bk. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Ch. II, Article I. On Looks, n. 73 — I. Commonly it will be grave: 1. To look deliberately at the immodest parts of a person of diverse sex or at human intercourse (St. Alphonsus III, 421). Make exception if it is done from afar and in passing; or if an inf… Read in context →

Vol. III, Bk. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Ch. II, Article III. On Kisses, n. 75 — I. Commonly it is mortal: 1. To kiss the breasts of a woman; likewise the less honorable parts of a person of diverse sex. To kiss parts that are indeed honorable but less customarily kissed of a person of the other sex … Read in context →

Vol. III, Bk. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Ch. II, Article IV. On Speeches and Songs, n. 76 — I. Commonly it will be mortal: 1. To speak about very shameful matters, as about the genitals, about intercourse, about the ways of performing it, etc. (St. Alphonsus III, 426); if it is done among married persons, grave… Read in context →

Commentaries on the Nature of Moral Theology, on Conscience and Probabilism, on the Fourth Precept, and on the Sixth and Ninth Precepts of the Decalogue (Commentarii)

Chapter I: On the Non-Consummated Acts of Lust, n. 6 — 6. The non-consummated acts of lust are base looks, hearings or conversations, to which base readings are reckoned, base smells and tastes, and finally touches.Read in context →

Ch. I, Article I: On Obscene Looks, nn. 7 & 8 (9 passages — hover a number to read it)

Ch. I, Article II: On the Adornment of Women, nn. 9, 10, 11 & 12 (19 passages — hover a number to read it)

Ch. I, Article III: On Base Conversations, nn. 13, 14 & 15 (6 passages — hover a number to read it)

Ch. I, Article IV: On Theaters, nn. 16, 17 & 18 (4 passages — hover a number to read it)

Ch. I, Article V: On Base Smells and Tastes, n. 19 — 19. We find nothing special about this matter among the Theologians. Yet the matter is indubitable, as is clear from experience itself, that many are excited to venereal delectation by smells and tastes. Now indeed the s… Read in context →

Ch. I, Article VI: On Base Touches, nn. 20 & 21 (11 passages — hover a number to read it)

Ch. I, Article VII: On Kisses and Embraces, nn. 22 & 23 (4 passages — hover a number to read it)

Ch. I, Article VIII: On Kisses and Embraces with Respect to Betrothed Persons, nn. 24, 25 & 26 (8 passages — hover a number to read it)

Ch. I, Art. IX, Embraces, and Other Touches with Respect to Spouses, nn. 27, 28 & 29 (9 passages — hover a number to read it)

Ch. I, Article X: On the Nature of Base Touches, nn. 30, 31, 32 & 33 (16 passages — hover a number to read it)

Ch. I, Article XI: On Dances, nn. 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40 & 41 (11 passages — hover a number to read it)

Institutions of Moral Theology (Institutiones Theologiae Moralis)

Vol. I, On the Sixth and Ninth Pre…, I. On Acts of Lust Not Consummated, nn. 762–786 (25 passages)

Vol. IV, On Marriage, V. On the Use of Marriage, n. 1079 — "Are shameful touches and looks mortal between spouses on account of pleasure alone, without order to copulation? The common and truer opinion denies it.... The reason is that the conjugal state, just as it makes copulat… Read in context →

Cases of Conscience, Proposed by Cardinal de Lugo, by Fr. Beniamino Elbel, by Fr. Ioannes Petrus Gury and by Other Authors, and Resolved (Casus conscientiae)

62. On Non-Consummated Acts of Lust, nn. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8 (30 passages — hover a number to read it)

Synopsis of Moral and Pastoral Theology

Vol. II, Supplement: On the Virtue of Chastity, nn. 22–36 (15 passages)

On Chastity and on the Contrary Vices: A Doctrinal and Moral Treatise

Ch. II, Article I. Common Notions of All Imperfect Lust, nn. 351, ¶1833, ¶1834, ¶1835, ¶1836, ¶1837, ¶1838, ¶1839, ¶1840, ¶1841, 352, ¶1842–¶1867, 353, ¶1868, ¶1869, ¶1870, ¶1871, ¶1872, ¶1873, ¶1874, ¶1875, ¶1876, ¶1877, ¶1878, 354, ¶1879, ¶1880, ¶1881, 355 & ¶1882 (55 passages — hover a number to read it)

Ch. II, Article II. On Incomplete Exterior Acts, nn. 356, ¶1883, ¶1884, ¶1885, 357, ¶1886, ¶1887, ¶1888, ¶1889, 358, ¶1890, 359, 360, ¶1891, 361, 362, ¶1892, ¶1893, ¶1894, 363, ¶1895, ¶1896, ¶1897, ¶1898, ¶1899 & 364 (26 passages — hover a number to read it)

Theologia Moralis: Principles — Responses — Counsels

Vol. III, Tomus IV: On Chastity and …, Tr. IV, Chapter II: On Imperfect Lust, nn. ¶1, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111 & 112 (12 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. III, Tomus IV: On Chastity and …, Tr. IV, Chapter III: On Indirect Lust, nn. 113, 114, 115, 116 & 117 (5 passages — hover a number to read it)

Pastoral Questions

Merkelbach, Pastoral Questions, I. Questions Concerning Ch…, On Chastity and Lust, Question Five: Concerning Imperfect Lust, or Impudicity, nn. ¶344, ¶345, ¶346, ¶347, ¶348, ¶349, ¶350, ¶351, ¶352, ¶353, ¶354, ¶361, ¶362, ¶363, ¶364, ¶395, ¶396, ¶397 & ¶398 (19 passages — hover a number to read it)

Institutiones Morales Alphonsianae

Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Tr. VI, CHAPTER III: On Sins of Non-Consummated Lust, nn. ¶1 & ¶807 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Tr. VI, Ch. III, ARTICLE I: On Shameful Speech and the Reading of Obscene Things, nn. ¶1, ¶2, ¶808, ¶809, ¶810 & ¶811 (6 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Tr. VI, Ch. III, ARTICLE II: On Immodest Looks, nn. ¶812, ¶813, ¶814, ¶815, ¶1 & ¶2 (6 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Tr. VI, Ch. III, ARTICLE III: On Lustful Touches, nn. ¶816, ¶817, ¶818, ¶819, ¶820, ¶821, ¶822 & ¶823 (8 passages — hover a number to read it)

Theologia Moralis Sancti Alphonsi: Reduced into a Compendium

Vol. I, TREATISE ON THE PRECEPTS O…, CHAPTER II: ON SINS OF LUXURY NOT CONSUMMATED, n. ¶1 — Sins of imperfect or not consummated luxury are those in which the final term of venereal things, which is the emission of semen, does not intervene. They are chiefly committed 1) by touch, 2) by sight, 3) by speech. The… Read in context →

Vol. I, TREATISE ON THE PRECEPTS O…, Ch. II, ARTICLE I: ON LIBIDINOUS TOUCHES, nn. ¶1, ¶486, ¶2, ¶487 & ¶488 (5 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, TREATISE ON THE PRECEPTS O…, Ch. II, ARTICLE II: ON IMMODEST LOOKS, nn. ¶489 & ¶490 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, TREATISE ON THE PRECEPTS O…, Ch. II, ARTICLE III: ON BASE SPEECH AND THE READING OF OBSCENE THINGS, nn. ¶491 & ¶492 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Manuale Theologiae Moralis

Vol. II, Tr. XIII, Ch. III, Art. V, Namely, Lust, § 3. On the External Non-Consummated Sins of Lust, nn. ¶78, 689, 690, 691, 692, 693, 694, 695, 696 & 697 (10 passages — hover a number to read it)

Summa Theologiae Moralis

Vol. II, Special Moral Theology: On…, Treatise: On the Cardinal …, Fourth Part: On the Virtue…, Question Five: On Imperfect Luxury or Immodesty, nn. ¶1, 1024, 1025, 1026 & 1028 (34 passages — hover a number to read it)

Compendium of Moral Theology

Vol. I, Tr. VI, On the Sixth and Ninth Pre…, Ch. I, Article III. On Impure Gazes, nn. 285 & 286 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Tr. VI, On the Sixth and Ninth Pre…, Ch. I, Article IV. On Impure Speech and Readings, nn. 287 & 288 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Guide for Catholic Young Women

Chapter LXIV: On Evil Thoughts, nn. ¶780, ¶781, ¶782, ¶784, ¶785, ¶786 & ¶787 (7 passages — hover a number to read it)

Chapter LXV: Custody of the Eyes, nn. ¶788, ¶789, ¶790, ¶791, ¶792, ¶793, ¶794, ¶795 & ¶796 (9 passages — hover a number to read it)

Chapter LXVI: Of Evil Conversations, nn. ¶797, ¶798, ¶799, ¶800, ¶801, ¶802, ¶803, ¶804, ¶805, ¶806, ¶807, ¶808 & ¶809 (13 passages — hover a number to read it)

Moral Theology: A Complete Course (McHugh & Callan)

Vol. II, Pt. II, Q. II, Art. 8. The Virtue of Temp…, Lewdness, n. 2513 — Morality of Kissing and Similar Acts. Morality of Kissing and Similar Acts.—(a) Per se, or from their nature, these acts are indifferent, since they can be employed, not only for evil (Job, xxxi. 27; Luke, xxii. 48), but also for good, as we see from the exa… Read in context →

Compendium of Moral Theology of Fr. John Peter Gury, S.J., with the Notes of Antonio Ballerini, S.J.

Vol. I, Treatise On the Precepts o…, On the Sixth and Ninth Pre…, Ch. I, Article I. On Immodest Kisses and Touches, nn. 413, 414, 414, 415 & 416 (13 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Treatise On the Precepts o…, On the Sixth and Ninth Pre…, Ch. II, Art. II, § III. On Bestiality, n. 436 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Treated under the broader heading Chastity (Sixth and Ninth Commandments) — Coppens, Medical Practice · The Roman Catechism · Slater, Back to Morality · 1917 Code of Canon Law — these works do not divide the matter as finely as we do here, so their treatment stands one heading up (ed.)