Superstition, Idolatry, and Divination

A Manual of Moral Theology for English-Speaking Countries

Thomas Slater, S.J. — 15 passages

Vol. I, Bk. VI, Pt. I, Chapter IV. Superstition, n. 1 — Sins may be committed against the virtue of religion by excess or by defect in the same way as against other moral virtues. Sins against religion by excess come under the general term of superstition, of which there are … Read in context →

Vol. I, Bk. VI, Pt. I, Ch. IV, Section I. Wrong Ways of Worshipping God, nn. 1 & 2 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Bk. VI, Pt. I, Ch. IV, Section II. Idolatry, nn. 1, 2 & 3 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Bk. VI, Pt. I, Ch. IV, Section III. Divination, nn. 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 (5 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Bk. VI, Pt. I, Ch. IV, Section IV. Vain Observance, nn. 1, 2, 3 & 4 (4 passages — hover a number to read it)

Manual of Moral Theology (Manuale Theologiae Moralis)

Ludovicus Wouters, C.SS.R. — 3 passages

Vol. I, Bk. II, Tr. II, Diss. I, Pt. I, Sect. II, Chapter I. On Superstition, n. 590 — Superstition is vicious religious worship. Now this vicious worship can regard both God and a creature. "For divine worship can be shown either to him to whom it ought to be shown, namely the true God, yet in an undue ma… Read in context →

Vol. I, Bk. II, Tr. II, Diss. I, Pt. I, Sect. II, Ch. I, Article I. On Vicious Worship of God, n. 591 — I. Vicious worship of God is either false or superfluous. 1. It is false when someone worships God by signifying something false. This is done: 1. by one "who now offers worship to God through the ceremonies of the old l… Read in context →

Vol. I, Bk. II, Tr. II, Diss. I, Pt. I, Sect. II, Ch. I, Art. II, § I. On Idolatry, n. 592 — I. Notion. Idolatry occurs when divine honor is shown to a creature, for example to a demon. It is the same by what sign the honor is shown, whether by sacrifice or genuflection, etc., provided that the sign placed signi… Read in context →

Institutions of Moral Theology (Institutiones Theologiae Moralis)

Gennaro Bucceroni, S.J. — 5 passages

Vol. I, On the First Precept of th…, III. On Superstition and Idolatry, nn. 464, 465, 466 & 467 (4 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. IV, On the Constitution *Officiorum ac munerum*, n. 1308 — What about other books of special subject matter? "Books are condemned in which God, or the Blessed Virgin Mary, or the Saints, or the Catholic Church and her worship, or the sacraments, or the Apostolic See, are dispara… Read in context →

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. — 87 passages

Vol. I, Treatise On the Precepts o…, On the First Precept of th…, Ch. II, Article I. On Superstition, n. ¶1 — Superstition is a vice opposed to Religion by excess, by which either undue worship is exhibited to the true God, or worship due to God alone is exhibited to a creature. - Thus commonly from St. Thomas 2. 2. q. 92. art. … Read in context →

Vol. I, Treatise On the Precepts o…, On the First Precept of th…, Ch. II, Art. I, § I. On Idolatry, n. 263 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Treatise On the Precepts o…, On the First Precept of th…, Ch. II, Art. I, § II. On Vain Observance, nn. 264 & 265 (10 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Treatise On the Precepts o…, On the First Precept of th…, Ch. II, Art. I, § III. On Divination, nn. 266, 267, 268, 269 & 270 (20 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Treatise On the Precepts o…, On the First Precept of th…, Ch. II, Art. I, § IV. On Magic and Maleficium, nn. 271 & 272 (11 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Treatise On the Precepts o…, On the First Precept of th…, Ch. II, Art. I, Appendix II. On Animal Magnetism, nn. 276, 277, 278, 279, 280 & 281 (42 passages — hover a number to read it)

Synopsis of Moral and Pastoral Theology

Adolphe Tanquerey, S.S. — 5 passages

Vol. II, On the Virtue of Religion …, Chapter I: On the Principal Acts of Religion, and the Vices Opposed, nn. 894, 895, 896, 897 & 898 (5 passages — hover a number to read it)

A Handbook of Moral Theology (Koch–Preuss)

Antony Koch; adapted and edited by Arthur Preuss — 70 passages

Vol. IV, Pt. II, Ch. VI, Section 1: Nature of Superstition, 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. VI, Section 2: Superstition in the Natural Order, nn. ¶1–¶29 (29 passages)

Vol. IV, Pt. II, Ch. VI, Section 3: Superstition in the Preternatural Order, nn. ¶1, ¶2, ¶3, ¶4, ¶5, ¶6, ¶7, ¶8, ¶9, ¶10, ¶11, ¶12, ¶14, ¶15, ¶16, ¶17, ¶18 & ¶19 (18 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. IV, Pt. II, Ch. VI, Section 4: Superstition in the Supernatural Order, nn. ¶1, ¶2, ¶3, ¶4, ¶5, ¶6, ¶7, ¶8, ¶9, ¶10, ¶11 & ¶12 (12 passages — hover a number to read it)

Theologia Moralis: Principles — Responses — Counsels

Arthur Vermeersch, S.J.

Vol. II, Bk. II, Tr. II, Title III: On the Vices Opposed to the Virtue of Religion, n. ¶1 — Utility. In setting forth the negative offices of the virtue of religion, by which we are ordered to ward off all vices contrary to religion, questions occur which we can deservedly call at once very useful, delicate, an… Read in context →

Moral Principles and Medical Practice: The Basis of Medical Jurisprudence

Charles Coppens, S.J. — 37 passages

Coppens, Medical Practice, Lecture IX. Hypnotism and the Border-land of Science, nn. ¶1, ¶2, ¶3, ¶4, ¶5 & ¶6 (6 passages — hover a number to read it)

Coppens, Medical Practice, Lecture IX. Hypnotism and …, II. Theory of Hypnotism, nn. ¶1 & ¶2 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Coppens, Medical Practice, Lecture IX. Hypnotism and …, III. Benefits of Hypnotism, nn. ¶1, ¶2, ¶3, ¶4 & ¶5 (5 passages — hover a number to read it)

Coppens, Medical Practice, Lecture IX. Hypnotism and …, IV. Dangerous Treatment, nn. ¶1, ¶2 & ¶3 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

Coppens, Medical Practice, Lecture IX. Hypnotism and …, V. Field for a Scientist, n. ¶1 — If any distinguished scientist or Doctor who can afford it wishes to make a special study of hypnotism, which is still so imperfectly understood, he may render a valuable service to humanity, and in particular to the sci… Read in context →

Coppens, Medical Practice, Lecture IX. Hypnotism and …, VI. Objections to Hypnotism, nn. ¶1, ¶2, ¶3, ¶4 & ¶5 (5 passages — hover a number to read it)

Coppens, Medical Practice, Lecture IX. Hypnotism and …, VII. Further Explanation of Hypnotism, nn. ¶1 & ¶2 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Coppens, Medical Practice, Lecture IX. Hypnotism and …, VIII. Science Dreads Error, nn. ¶1, ¶2 & ¶3 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

Coppens, Medical Practice, Lecture IX. Hypnotism and …, IX. Credentials of Christ, n. ¶1 — Least of all have Christians a right to deny this, and we must remember that the civilized world is Christian, almost entirely. Christians believe in the reliability of the Bible, and in it we are constantly informed of … Read in context →

Coppens, Medical Practice, Lecture IX. Hypnotism and …, X. Deviltry, nn. ¶1, ¶2, ¶3, ¶4, ¶5, ¶6, ¶7, ¶8 & ¶9 (9 passages — hover a number to read it)

Institutiones Morales Alphonsianae

Clement Marc, C.SS.R. — 26 passages

Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Tr. I, Ch. III, Article I: On Superstition, nn. ¶554 & ¶555 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Tr. I, Ch. III, Art. I, § 1. On Idolatry, n. ¶556 — 556. DEFINITION. Idolatry is superstition by which honor is attributed to a creature as to God. But this is done by any sign of honor by which someone intends to submit himself to a creature as to God, for example by gen… Read in context →

Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Tr. I, Ch. III, Art. I, § 2. On Divination, nn. ¶557, ¶1, ¶558, ¶559, ¶560, ¶561, ¶2, ¶562, ¶563, ¶564, ¶565, ¶3, ¶4 & ¶566 (14 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Tr. I, Ch. III, Art. I, § 3. On Vain Observance, nn. ¶567, ¶1, ¶568, ¶2, ¶569 & ¶570 (6 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, Pt. II, Sect. II, Tr. I, Ch. III, Art. I, § 4. On Magic and Malefice, nn. ¶571, ¶572 & ¶573 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

Theologia Moralis Sancti Alphonsi: Reduced into a Compendium

Anthony Konings, C.SS.R. — 12 passages

Vol. I, TREATISE ON THE PRECEPTS O…, Ch. II, ARTICLE I: ON SUPERSTITION, n. ¶1 — "Superstition," says St. Thomas, "is a vice opposed to religion according to excess; not because it shows more in divine worship than true religion, but because it shows divine worship either to whom it ought not, or in … Read in context →

Vol. I, TREATISE ON THE PRECEPTS O…, Ch. II, Art. I, § I. On Idolatry, n. ¶334 — 334. - Idolatry is an action by which worship owed to God alone is rendered to a creature; and this happens not only by sacrifice, but by any sign of honor by which someone intends to submit himself to a creature as to G… Read in context →

Vol. I, TREATISE ON THE PRECEPTS O…, Ch. II, Art. I, § II. On Vain Observance, nn. ¶335 & ¶336 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, TREATISE ON THE PRECEPTS O…, Ch. II, Art. I, § III. On Divination, nn. ¶337, ¶338, ¶339, ¶340, ¶341 & ¶342 (6 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. I, TREATISE ON THE PRECEPTS O…, Ch. II, Art. I, § IV. On Magic And Malefice, nn. ¶343 & ¶344 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Manuale Theologiae Moralis

Dominic M. Prümmer, O.P.

Vol. II, Tr. XI, Sect. II, Q. I, Ch. III, Article I. On Superstition in General, n. 501 — 501. Notion. Superstition is "a vice rendering divine worship either to one to whom it ought not, or in a manner in which it ought not." Thus St. Thomas. This definition indeed becomes clearer if one attends to the diver… Read in context →

Summa Theologiae Moralis

Benedict Henry Merkelbach, O.P. — 3 passages

Vol. II, Special Moral Theology: On…, Treatise: On the Cardinal …, Fifth Part: On the Virtues…, Sect. C, Chapter I: On Superstition, nn. ¶1 & 770 (3 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 First Precept of th…, Ch. II, Article I. On Superstition, n. ¶1 — Superstition, according to St. Thomas, is a vice opposed to religion according to excess, not because it exhibits more for divine worship than true religion, but because it exhibits divine worship either to one to whom i… Read in context →

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

Daniele Concina, O.P. — 11 passages

Diss. II, Chapter II — Various cases are here examined, in which it is determined whether superstition, properly speaking, is present, nn. I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X & XI (11 passages — hover a number to read it)

Christian Theology, Dogmatic and Moral, in Compendium

Daniele Concina, O.P. — 23 passages

Bk. III, Diss. VIII, Chapter I — The definition and division of superstition. Various cases in which superstition creeps in are explained, nn. I–XXIII (23 passages)

Palladium Theologicum, Tome V: On the Virtues

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

Tr. IV, Disputation IX: On Superstition, n. 1 — I shall now treat of the sins and vices opposed to Religion, which indeed on both sides lie at the extremes, whether by excess or by defect; in excess the first place is occupied by Superstition: For since, according to … Read in context →

Moral Philosophy: Ethics, Deontology and Natural Law

Joseph Rickaby, S.J. — 3 passages

Pt. III, Ch. I, Section II. Of Superstitious Practices, nn. 1, 2 & 3 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

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

Issued by order of Pope St. Pius V

Pt. III, The First Commandment, n. ¶10 — Sins Against This Commandment. Against this Commandment all those sin who have not faith. hope and charity. such sinners are very numerous, for they include all who fall into heresy, who reject what holy mother the Church proposes for our belief, who … Read in context →

The Casuist: A Collection of Cases in Moral and Pastoral Theology

Various; ed. S. Woywod, O.F.M., and J. A. McHugh, O.P. — 47 passages

Vol. II, Case LI: Telepathic Phenomena, nn. ¶1–¶19 (19 passages)

Vol. III, Case III: Is It Lawful to Assist at Spiritistic Seances?, nn. ¶1–¶18 (18 passages)

Vol. III, Case XLII: Superstitious Faith in Prayers, nn. ¶1, ¶2, ¶3, ¶4, ¶5, ¶6 & ¶7 (7 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. V, Case XXIX: Crystal-Gazing, nn. ¶1, ¶2 & ¶3 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

Cases of Conscience for English-Speaking Countries, Volume I

Thomas Slater, S.J. — 25 passages (filed under the subtopics)

Slater, Cases I, The First Commandment, Case 3. A Dangerous Advertisement, nn. ¶1, ¶2, ¶3, ¶4, ¶5, ¶6, ¶7, ¶8 & ¶9 (9 passages — hover a number to read it)

Slater, Cases I, The First Commandment, Case 4. The Divining Rod, nn. ¶1, ¶2, ¶3, ¶4, ¶5, ¶6, ¶7 & ¶8 (8 passages — hover a number to read it)

Slater, Cases I, The First Commandment, Case 5. Hypnotism in Medicine, nn. ¶1, ¶2, ¶3, ¶4, ¶5, ¶6, ¶7 & ¶8 (8 passages — hover a number to read it)

Moral Theology: A Complete Course (McHugh & Callan)

John A. McHugh, O.P., and Charles J. Callan, O.P. — 26 passages (filed under the subtopics)

Vol. I, Pt. II, Q. I, Art. 2. The Sins Against F…, The Sin of Unbelief, n. 823 — Since error is not consistent, false teachings are found that accept all the above-mentioned degrees of unbelief, or borrow impartially from all. (a) Indifferentism or Latitudinarianism holds that all forms of religion a… Read in context →

Vol. II, Pt. II, Q. II, Art. 5. The Quasi-integral…, Superstition, nn. 2274, 2275 & 2276 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. II, Pt. II, Q. II, Art. 5. The Quasi-integral…, Idolatry, nn. 2277, 2278, 2279, 2280 & 2281 (5 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. II, Pt. II, Q. II, Art. 5. The Quasi-integral…, Divination, nn. 2282, 2283, 2284, 2285, 2286, 2287, 2288 & 2289 (8 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. II, Pt. II, Q. II, Art. 5. The Quasi-integral…, Vain Observance, nn. 2290, 2291, 2292, 2293, 2294, 2295, 2296, 2297 & 2298 (9 passages — hover a number to read it)

The Decretals of Gregory IX (Liber Extra)

Pope Gregory IX — 3 passages (filed under the subtopics)

Bk. V, Title XXI: On Sorceries, cc. 1, 2 & 3 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

The Decretum of Gratian (Concordia discordantium canonum)

Gratian — 33 passages (filed under the subtopics)

Pt. II, Causa XXVI, Question I, cc. ¶ & 1 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Pt. II, Causa XXVI, Question II, cc. ¶, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 & 11 (12 passages — hover a number to read it)

Pt. II, Causa XXVI, Questions III and IV, cc. ¶, 1, 2 & 3 (4 passages — hover a number to read it)

Pt. II, Causa XXVI, Question V, cc. ¶ & 1–14 (15 passages — hover a number to read it)

Summa of Moral Theology (Summa Theologiae Moralis)

Hieronymus Noldin, S.J. — 24 passages (filed under the subtopics)

Vol. II, Part Second. On the Precep…, Question Third. On Sins Ag…, Article Second. On Idolatry, nn. 151 & 152 (2 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. II, Part Second. On the Precep…, Question Third. On Sins Ag…, Article Third. On Divination, nn. 153, 154, 155, 156, 157 & 158 (6 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. II, Part Second. On the Precep…, Question Third. On Sins Ag…, Article Fourth. On Vain Observance, nn. 159, 160, 161 & 162 (4 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. II, Part Second. On the Precep…, Question Third. On Sins Ag…, Article Fifth. On Magic and Malefice, nn. 163, 164, 165 & 166 (4 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. II, Part Second. On the Precep…, Question Third. On Sins Ag…, Article Fifth. On Magic an…, On Recent Magic, nn. ¶1, 167, 168, 169 & 170 (5 passages — hover a number to read it)

Vol. II, Part Fourth. On Particular…, Question Fifth. On Witnesses, On Hypnotism, nn. 747, 748 & 749 (3 passages — hover a number to read it)

On the Prohibition and Censorship of Books (De prohibitione et censura librorum)

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

Tit. I, Ch. V, Article 12, n. 77 — What sortilege is 77. 1. Sortilege is divination by lots, or that which is exercised by inspecting how some action succeeds, done by you for the end of obtaining an indication: as if, with this intention, you throw dice,… 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. — 27 passages (filed under the subtopics)

40. On New Cults, nn. 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 (12 passages — hover a number to read it)

42. On Divination, n. 1 (5 passages — hover a number to read it)

43. On Vain Observance, n. 1 (4 passages — hover a number to read it)

44. On Magnetism and Hypnotism, n. 1 (6 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. — 22 passages (filed under the subtopics)

Pt. II, Vice and Virtue, Perfection, A. THE COMMANDMENTS, X. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF…, THE FIRST COMMANDMENT OF GOD, 2. IDOLATRY OR THE WORSHIP OF FALSE GODS, nn. ¶1, ¶2, ¶3, ¶4, ¶5, ¶6, ¶7, ¶8, ¶9, ¶10 & ¶11 (11 passages — hover a number to read it)

Pt. II, Vice and Virtue, Perfection, A. THE COMMANDMENTS, X. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF…, THE FIRST COMMANDMENT OF GOD, 3. FOOLISH OR PERVERTED WORSHIP, nn. ¶1, ¶2, ¶3, ¶4, ¶5, ¶6, ¶7, ¶8, ¶9, ¶10 & ¶11 (11 passages — hover a number to read it)