Simony (Catholic Encyclopedia article)
Nicholas Weber · 1913
Read Simony (Catholic Encyclopedia article) by Nicholas Weber (1913) in the Tower of Babel, a free online library of public-domain works preserved in clean, searchable text. No sign-up. The full text is served as a plain-text file at a predictable URL, where text is present: https://antarctic-labs.com/tower-of-babel/catholic-encyclopedia-1913-simony.txt.
Description
Simony, named from Simon Magus in Acts chapter 8, is usually defined as a deliberate plan to buy or sell for a temporal price things spiritual or joined to spiritual things. Any exchange of spiritual for temporal goods counts, even where a motive of gain suffices without a formal price. Temporal advantages fall into three classes: gain by hand, meaning money and property; gain by tongue, meaning praise and support in high places; and gain by service, meaning undue homage.
Spiritual objects cover whatever serves the soul's eternal welfare, from grace and sacraments to sacramentals. The entry sorts borderline cases with care. A Mass stipend for the celebrant's support is lawful, but payment for the Mass itself is sinful. Chancery fees for dispensations are allowed, but payment for jurisdiction is not. Penalties close the article, from void benefices to excommunication.
Catalog record
| CREATOR | Nicholas Weber |
|---|---|
| YEAR | 1913 |
| COLLECTION | REFERENCE |
| FORMAT | TXT |
| FILE SIZE | 9 KB |
| LICENSE | PUBLIC_DOMAIN |
| RIGHTS | PUBLIC DOMAIN |
| SOURCE | New Advent — Catholic Encyclopedia (1913) |