Topics › Oaths and Vows (Second Commandment) › Oaths

A Topic of Moral Theology

Oaths

Calling God to witness the truth: the conditions of a lawful oath, the sin of perjury, and when oaths bind.

The works themselves ask 111 questions under this heading — see them together with their answers.

Within this topic

Also asked about as…

oath in court · swear in court · swear on the bible · swearing an oath · swearing to god · sworn testimony · testifying under oath (ed.)

In the index as Oath · Oaths · Vow · Contract (Contractus) · Perjury · Judgment · Order, as Sacrament (Ordo, ut Sacramentum) · Bishop · Fear (Metus) · Mental restriction (Restrictio mentalis) · Blasphemy · Faith · Interpretation (Interpretatio) · Commutation (Commutatio) · Condition · Dispensation · Dispensation of VOWS · Pope (Papa) · Adjuration · Cessation of law · Doubtful in faith · Fiction · Husband · Intention

In the manuals

Read the manuals side by side → — each work's whole treatment in its own column

A Manual of Moral Theology for English-Speaking Countries

Thomas Slater, S.J. — 8 passages

Vol. I, Bk. VI, Pt. II, Chapter III. Oaths, nn. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8 (8 passages — hover a number to read it)

Manual of Moral Theology (Manuale Theologiae Moralis)

Ludovicus Wouters, C.SS.R. — 17 passages

Vol. I, Bk. I, Tr. III, Diss. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Ch. II, Art. II, § III, Point I. On Religion, n. 387 — III. Acts of Religion. The acts of religion are distinguished into internal and external acts. The internal acts are devotion and prayer. External acts are those by which we worship God either through one's own body, and… Read in context →

Vol. I, Bk. II, Tr. I, Diss. I, Pt. I, Sect. II, Chapter II. On the Precept of the External Act, or Profession of Faith, n. 490 — I. The external act, or profession of faith, is sometimes prescribed. This is clear: 1. From Sacred Scripture. "If thou confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in thy heart that God has raised Him from the dea… Read in context →

Vol. I, Bk. II, Tr. II, Diss. I, Pt. II, Section III. On the Oath, n. ¶1 — (St. Thomas, II-II, q. 89; St. Alphonsus, Theologia Moralis, bk. III, nn. 133-193; Homo Apostolicus, tr. 5, nn. 12-20.) We shall speak first of the oath generally, then of the promissory oath specifically; we shall add a… Read in context →

Vol. I, Bk. II, Tr. II, Diss. I, Pt. II, Sect. III, Chapter 1. On the Oath Generally, nn. 682, 683, 684 & 685 (4 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Bk. II, Tr. II, Diss. I, Pt. II, Sect. III, Chapter II. On the Promissory Oath Specifically, nn. 686, 687, 688, 689 & 690 (5 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Bk. II, Tr. II, Diss. I, Pt. II, Sect. III, Ch. II, Scholion. On the Fictitious Oath, nn. 691, 692, 693 & 694 (4 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. II, Bk. III, Tr. VIII, Diss. I, Pt. I, Sect. III, Ch. II, Scholion. On Accidental Elements of Betrothals, n. 672 — I. A penalty is added to betrothals if the parties agree that something is to be paid by the one withdrawing. A stipulation of a penalty to be paid by one withdrawing justly is illicit and invalid, as being injurious to … Read in context →

Moral Theology: A Complete Course (McHugh & Callan)

John A. McHugh, O.P., and Charles J. Callan, O.P. — 19 passages

Vol. II, Pt. II, Q. II, Art. 4. The Vices Opposed …, Contracts, n. 1886 — The Accidentals of a Contract. The Accidentals of a Contract.—(a) Bond is the agreement by the obligor of a contract to pay a certain forfeit to the obligee, if the former does not perform his contract or does not perform it before a certain date. Thi… Read in context →

Vol. II, Pt. II, Q. II, Art. 5. The Quasi-integral…, Oaths, nn. 2245–2262 (18 passages)

Institutions of Moral Theology (Institutiones Theologiae Moralis)

Gennaro Bucceroni, S.J. — 26 passages

Vol. I, On Laws, IX. Privileges of Clerics, Bishops, Regulars, nn. 269 & 280 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, On the Precept of Faith, n. 369 — Is there also given a precept of the external act of faith? As to the external act of faith, there is given a negative precept, prohibiting the denial of the true faith or the profession of a false one. Likewise there is… Read in context →

Vol. I, On the Second Precept of t…, III. On Oath, nn. 548–569 (22 passages)

Vol. II, On the Seventh and Tenth P…, IV. On the Modes of Acquiring Ownership by Private Will, n. 968 — What is the force of an oath added to a contract? A promissory oath is added to contracts in order to confirm them because of reverence for the divine Name. Hence besides the obligation from justice by force of the contr… 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)

Gennaro Bucceroni, S.J. — 29 passages

49. On an Oath, nn. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8 (29 passages — hover a number to read it)

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

Jean-Pierre Gury, S.J.; notes by Antonio Ballerini, S.J. — 39 passages

Vol. I, Treatise On the Precepts o…, On the Second Precept of t…, Chapter II. On Oath, n. 306 (7 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Treatise On the Precepts o…, On the Second Precept of t…, Ch. II, Article II. On the Obligation of a Promissory Oath, nn. 312, 313, 314 & 315 (21 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Treatise On Contracts, First Part. On Contracts i…, Ch. III, Article I. On the Oath Added to a Contract, nn. 790, 791, 792 & 793 (11 passages — hover a number to read it)

A Handbook of Moral Theology (Koch–Preuss)

Antony Koch; adapted and edited by Arthur Preuss — 54 passages

Vol. IV, Pt. II, Ch. V, Section 1: Definition and Division of Oaths, nn. ¶1, ¶2, ¶3, ¶4, ¶5, ¶6, ¶7, ¶8, ¶9, ¶10 & ¶11 (11 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. IV, Pt. II, Ch. V, Section 2: Lawfulness of Oaths, nn. ¶1, ¶2, ¶3, ¶4, ¶5, ¶6, ¶7, ¶8, ¶9, ¶10 & ¶11 (11 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. IV, Pt. II, Ch. V, Section 3: Conditions of Validity and Licitness, nn. ¶1–¶19 (19 passages)

Vol. IV, Pt. II, Ch. V, Section 4: Sins Committed in Connection with Oaths, nn. ¶1, ¶2, ¶3, ¶4, ¶5, ¶6, ¶7, ¶8, ¶9, ¶10, ¶11, ¶12 & ¶13 (13 passages — hover a number to read it)

Institutiones Morales Alphonsianae

Clement Marc, C.SS.R. — 71 passages

Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, TREATISE II: On the Second Precept of the Decalogue, nn. ¶1 & ¶593 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Tr. II, CHAPTER I: On the Praise of God and on Irreverence Against His Most Holy Name, nn. ¶1, ¶2 & ¶594 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Tr. II, Ch. I, ARTICLE I: On the Vain Usurpation of the Divine Name, n. ¶595 — 595. DEFINITION. Vain usurpation of the divine name is every appellation of the name either of God or of Our Lord Jesus Christ, made without just cause, or without due reverence. But this is accustomed to happen from a t… Read in context →

Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Tr. II, Ch. I, ARTICLE II: On Blasphemy, nn. ¶596, ¶597, ¶598 & ¶599 (4 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Tr. II, CHAPTER II: On Oath and Adjuration, n. ¶1 — St. Thomas, 2.2, q. 89; St. Alphonsus, III, 133; ed. G., I, p. 460; H. Ap., V, 12; Billuart, de Relig., Diss. V; Suarez, de Relig., Diss. V; Aertnys, l. III, n. 68; Gopfert, der Eid; Schindler, II, p. 158; Genicot, I, n.… Read in context →

Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Tr. II, Ch. II, ARTICLE I: On Oath, nn. ¶600, ¶601 & ¶602 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Tr. II, Ch. II, Art. I, § 1. On the Validity of an Oath, nn. ¶603 & ¶604 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Tr. II, Ch. II, Art. I, § 2. On the Licitness of an Oath, nn. ¶1, ¶2, ¶605, ¶606, ¶607, ¶608, ¶3, ¶609, ¶610, ¶611, ¶4, ¶612 & ¶613 (13 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Tr. II, Ch. II, Art. I, § 3. On the Promissory Oath, nn. ¶1, ¶614, ¶615, ¶616 & ¶617 (5 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Tr. II, Ch. II, ARTICLE II: On Adjuration, nn. ¶618, ¶619, ¶620, ¶621, ¶1 & ¶622 (6 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Tr. II, CHAPTER III: On Vow, nn. ¶1, ¶623 & ¶624 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Tr. II, Ch. III, ARTICLE I: On the Requisites for a Vow, nn. ¶1, ¶625 & ¶626 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Tr. II, Ch. III, ARTICLE II: On the Obligation of a Vow, nn. ¶627, ¶628, ¶629, ¶630, ¶631, ¶632, ¶633 & ¶634 (8 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Tr. II, Ch. III, ARTICLE III: On the Cessation of a Vow, nn. ¶1, ¶635 & ¶636 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Tr. II, Ch. III, Art. III, § 1. On Irritation of Vows, nn. ¶637, ¶638, ¶639 & ¶640 (4 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Tr. II, Ch. III, Art. III, § 2. On Dispensation of Vows, nn. ¶641, ¶642, ¶643, ¶644 & ¶645 (5 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Tr. II, Ch. III, Art. III, § 3. On Commutation of Vows, nn. ¶646, ¶647, ¶648, ¶649 & ¶650 (5 passages — hover a number to read it)

Manuale Theologiae Moralis

Dominic M. Prümmer, O.P.

Vol. II, Tr. XI, Sect. II, Q. I, Ch. II, Article V. On the Oath, n. 436 — 436. Preliminary. Among the ways of worshiping God there is also the invocation of the divine name. The divine name is invoked in three ways: 1. by way of an oath, for confirming the speaker's own words; 2. by way of adj… Read in context →

Theologia Moralis Sancti Alphonsi: Reduced into a Compendium

Anthony Konings, C.SS.R. — 14 passages

Vol. I, TREATISE ON THE PRECEPTS O…, CHAPTER II: ON OATH, n. ¶365 — 365. - Definition. An oath is an invocation of the divine Name in testimony of truth. Division. An oath is distinguished: 1° Assertory, by which present or past things are affirmed or denied, or promissory, which extends… Read in context →

Vol. I, TREATISE ON THE PRECEPTS O…, Ch. II, ARTICLE I: ON THE CONDITIONS OF AN OATH, nn. ¶366, ¶367, ¶368, ¶369 & ¶370 (5 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, TREATISE ON THE PRECEPTS O…, Ch. II, ARTICLE II: ON THE OBLIGATION OF A PROMISSORY OATH, nn. ¶371, ¶372, ¶373 & ¶374 (4 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, TREATISE ON CONTRACTS, FIRST PART: ON CONTRACTS I…, Ch. III, ARTICLE I: ON AN OATH ADJOINED TO A CONTRACT, nn. ¶864, ¶865, ¶866 & ¶867 (4 passages — hover a number to read it)

Pastoral Questions

Benedict H. Merkelbach, O.P. — 15 passages

Ch. II, Section A. Concerning Cert…, Question II: Concerning Sins Against Reverence for God, nn. ¶4645–¶4659 (15 passages)

Summa Theologiae Moralis

Benedict Henry Merkelbach, O.P. — 30 passages

Vol. II, Special Moral Theology: On…, Treatise: On the Cardinal …, Fifth Part: On the Virtues…, Section B: On the Acts of …, Ch. IV, Question One: On Oath, Article I: On the Essence and Object of an Oath, nn. ¶1, 742, 743, 744, 745, 746, 747 & 748 (30 passages — hover a number to read it)

Compendium of Moral Theology

Aloysius Sabetti, S.J., and Timothy Barrett, S.J.

Vol. I, Tr. VI, On the Second Precept of t…, Chapter II. On Oath, n. 222 — An oath is the invocation of the divine Name as witness of truth; and it is distinguished in many ways, namely: 1st. Assertory or promissory, according as it is assumed for asserting things present or past, or for confir… Read in context →

Christian Theology, Dogmatic and Moral, Volume III: On the Decalogue

Daniele Concina, O.P. — 39 passages

Diss. I, Chapter I — What God commands, or forbids, by this second precept of the Decalogue, is explained, nn. I, II, III & IV (4 passages — hover a number to read it)

Diss. I, Chapter III — Propositions are reviewed which, holding the oath cheap, the Church has proscribed. Innocent XI condemned them, nn. I, 24, 15, 16, 27, 28 & II (7 passages — hover a number to read it)

Diss. I, Chapter IV — Lax, or improbable, propositions are reviewed, which not a few Casuists teach, nn. I & II–XXVII (28 passages — hover a number to read it)

Palladium Theologicum, Tome V: On the Virtues

Gaudentius Bontempi of Brescia, O.F.M. Cap.

Tr. IV, Disputation VI: On the Oath, n. 1 — NATURE has so instructed MAN, conscious of his scant fidelity, that, that less distrust be placed in him, he presently compels with an oath the divine truth, being of infallible testimony: And if man would follow this gu… Read in context →

The Catechism of the Council of Trent (The Roman Catechism)

Issued by order of Pope St. Pius V — 24 passages

Pt. III, The Second Commandment, nn. ¶15–¶38 (24 passages)

The 1917 Code of Canon Law

Promulgated by Pope Benedict XV — 6 passages

Tit. XIX, Chapter II: Of an Oath, cann. 1316, 1317, 1318, 1319, 1320 & 1321 (6 passages — hover a number to read it)

The Decretum of Gratian (Concordia discordantium canonum)

Gratian — 91 passages

Pt. II, Causa XXII, c. ¶ — GRATIAN. A certain bishop swore to something false which he thought true. When this was discovered, his archdeacon swore that he would never furnish obedience to him. The archdeacon is compelled by the bishop to exhibit … Read in context →

Pt. II, Causa XXII, Question I, cc. ¶ & 1–17 (18 passages — hover a number to read it)

Pt. II, Causa XXII, Question II, cc. ¶ & 1–22 (23 passages — hover a number to read it)

Pt. II, Causa XXII, Question III, c. ¶ — GRATIAN. Therefore, since, as has been shown by reason and example, the bishop was not guilty of perjury, the customary obedience ought not to have been denied him by the archdeacon, since even if it were established tha… Read in context →

Pt. II, Causa XXII, Question IV, cc. ¶ & 1–23 (24 passages — hover a number to read it)

Pt. II, Causa XXII, Question V, cc. ¶ & 1–23 (24 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. II, Part Second. On the Precep…, Question Fourth. On Oath, Article Second. On the Conditions Required for an Oath, nn. 246, 247 & 248 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. II, Part Second. On the Precep…, Question Fourth. On Oath, Article Third. On the Promissory Oath, nn. 249, 250, 251, 252 & 253 (5 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. II, Part Second. On the Precep…, Question Fourth. On Oath, Article Fourth. On Perjury, nn. 254, 255 & 256 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

Theologia Moralis: Principles — Responses — Counsels

Arthur Vermeersch, S.J. — 16 passages (filed under the subtopics)

Vol. II, Bk. II, Tr. II, Ch. II, Art. I, Division, and Morality of an Oath, nn. 190, 191, 192 & 193 (4 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. II, Bk. II, Tr. II, Ch. II, Article II: On a Promissory Oath, nn. 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204 & 205 (12 passages — hover a number to read it)

The Catechism Explained: An Exhaustive Exposition of the Christian Religion

Francis Spirago; edited by Richard F. Clarke, S.J. — 9 passages (filed under the subtopics)

Pt. II, Vice and Virtue, Perfection, A. THE COMMANDMENTS, X. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF…, THE FIRST COMMANDMENT OF GOD, 8. THE EXTRAORDINARY WORSHIP OF GOD, The Oath, nn. ¶1, ¶2, ¶3, ¶4, ¶5, ¶6, ¶7, ¶8 & ¶9 (9 passages — hover a number to read it)

Synopsis of Moral and Pastoral Theology

Adolphe Tanquerey, S.S. — 12 passages (filed under the subtopics)

Vol. II, On the Virtue of Religion …, Chapter II: On Oaths and Vows, nn. 946, 947, 948, 949, 950, 951, 952, 953, 954, 955, 956 & 957 (12 passages — hover a number to read it)