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Trafficking in indulgences (Can. 2327)
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Slater, Manual of Moral Theology
Vol. II, Bk. X, Pt. III, Ch. I, C.—Excommunications Simply Reserved to the Holy See
Canon 2237, sec. 2, provides that in occult cases the Ordinary can remit, himself or through another, penalties latae sententiae imposed by common law, except censures very specially or only specially reserved to the Apostolic See. Canon 2327 I. Quaestum facientes ex indulgentiis plectuntur ipso facto excommunicatione Sedi Apostolicae simpliciter reservata. (Those who make gain out of indulgences are punished ipso facto with an excommunication simply reserved to the Apostolic See.)
Quaestum.—Granting or publishing indulgences for money. Canon 2335 II. Nomen dantes sectae massonicae aliisve ejusdem generis associationibus quae contra Ecclesiam vel legitimas civiles potestates machinantur, contrahunt ipso facto excommunicationem Sedi Apostolicae simpliciter reservatam. (Those who give their names to the masonic sect, or to other associations of the same kind which plot against the Church or against the lawful civil powers, contract ipso facto an excommunication simply reserved to the Apostolic See.)
Tanquerey
Vol. II, On Ecclesiastical Censures
- V. "Those making gain from indulgences."16
16 Code, c. 2327.
That is, those receiving money or something estimable by price for the concession or publication of indulgences.
Prümmer, Manuale Theologiae Moralis
Vol. III, Pt. II, Tr. VI, Ch. III, Art. I, § 3. On The Excommunications Existing Today
514. 1. "Those making profit from indulgences" (can. 2327).
This excommunication was already imposed in the Constitution of St. Pius V Quam plenum, January 2, 1569, which nevertheless is now restricted to indulgences alone and not to other spiritual graces. All those make profit from indulgences who gain a temporal price from them; nor is it required that they acquire that price for themselves. Therefore even those who obtain temporal gain from indulgences for pious causes are punished with this censure, for example, those who sell blessed rosaries at a higher price for a poor religious house.
- "Those perpetrating the delict of simony in any ecclesiastical offices, benefices, or dignities" (can. 2392).
Simoniacs are furthermore punished with various other penalties.159 This excommunication, however, appears to be the only one160 imposed for the crime of simony; and therefore simony on account of entrance into religion, or on account of profit sought from collected Mass stipends, is no longer punished with excommunication, since the Code of Canon Law is silent concerning these penalties, and all penalties of which no mention is made in the Code are regarded as abrogated.
159 Code of Canon Law, c. 2392 and c. 729; cf. above, II, n. 565.
160 Cf., however, below, n. 534 (2).