Interdict: Difference between revisions
See comment in discussion |
|||
| Line 3: | Line 3: | ||
In the [[Roman Catholic Church]], the word '''interdict''' (in’tér-dikt) usually refers to an [[ecclesiastical]] penalty. Interdicts may be ''real'', ''local'' or personal. A personal interdict pertains to one or more persons. A ''real'' or ''local'' interdict, which is no longer a part of [[canon law]], suspends all public [[worship]] and withdraws the church's [[sacraments]] in a territory or country.<ref>American International Encyclopedia, J.J. Little Co., New York 1954, Vol VIII</ref> A local interdict against a country was to it the equivalent of [[excommunication]] against an individual. It would cause all the churches to be closed, and almost all the sacraments not to be allowed (i.e. preventing [[marriage]], [[confession]], [[anointing of the sick]], and the [[eucharist]]). Certain exceptions allow for baptism, anointing of the sick, and sacraments on [[Christian holidays]]. |
In the [[Roman Catholic Church]], the word '''interdict''' (in’tér-dikt) usually refers to an [[ecclesiastical]] penalty. Interdicts may be ''real'', ''local'' or personal. A personal interdict pertains to one or more persons. A ''real'' or ''local'' interdict, which is no longer a part of [[canon law]], suspends all public [[worship]] and withdraws the church's [[sacraments]] in a territory or country.<ref>American International Encyclopedia, J.J. Little Co., New York 1954, Vol VIII</ref> A local interdict against a country was to it the equivalent of [[excommunication]] against an individual. It would cause all the churches to be closed, and almost all the sacraments not to be allowed (i.e. preventing [[marriage]], [[confession]], [[anointing of the sick]], and the [[eucharist]]). Certain exceptions allow for baptism, anointing of the sick, and sacraments on [[Christian holidays]]. |
||
Interdiction was used by the [[Pope]] during the [[Middle Ages]] as a way to influence rulers. For example, [[Pope Innocent III]] placed the kingdom of [[England]] under an interdict for seven years between 1208 and 1215 after [[John of England|King John]] refused to accept the pope's appointee as [[Archbishop of Canterbury]]. [[Pope Gregory XI]] placed the city of [[Florence]] under interdict in March 1376 during the [[War of the Eight Saints]], while [[Pope Paul V]] placed the [[Republic of Venice]] under interdict in 1606 after the civil authorities jailed two priests. |
Interdiction was used by the [[Pope]] during the [[Middle Ages]] as a way to influence rulers. For example, [[Pope Innocent III]] placed the kingdom of [[England]] under an interdict for seven years between 1208 and 1215 after [[John of England|King John]] refused to accept the pope's appointee as [[Archbishop of Canterbury]]. [[Pope Gregory XI]] placed the city of [[Florence]] under interdict in March 1376 during the [[War of the Eight Saints]], while [[Pope Paul V]] placed the [[Republic of Venice]] under interdict in 1606 after the civil authorities jailed two priests.<ref>http://www.seattlecatholic.com/article_20040921.html</ref> |
||
An interdict can also be a penalty against a specific individual or group. It is like excommunication in that the person is barred from receiving the [[sacraments]] and participating in public worship, but it does not bar the person from continuing to hold and exercise ecclesiastical [[office]]. For a lay member of the church, it is basically equivalent to excommunication. |
An interdict can also be a penalty against a specific individual or group. It is like excommunication in that the person is barred from receiving the [[sacraments]] and participating in public worship, but it does not bar the person from continuing to hold and exercise ecclesiastical [[office]]. For a lay member of the church, it is basically equivalent to excommunication, though with the implication that they remain Catholic. |
||
==Automatic interdict== |
|||
Certain offenses incur an automatic (''[[latae sententiae]]'') interdict: |
Certain offenses incur an automatic (''[[latae sententiae]]'') interdict: |
||
| Line 20: | Line 21: | ||
* Promoting or directing a prohibited association (canon 1374) |
* Promoting or directing a prohibited association (canon 1374) |
||
* The crime of [[simony]] (canon 1380) |
* The crime of [[simony]] (canon 1380) |
||
==Modern examples== |
|||
In 1909, the town of [[Adria]] in Italy was placed under interdict for 15 days after a local campaign against the move of a bishop.<ref>http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0403714.htm</ref> |
|||
In [[Malta]] in 1961, Bishop [[Michael Gonzi]] interdicted those who favoured the opinions of the [[Malta Labour Party]]. Their burial had to be done in unconsecrated land, and their marriages in sacristies. This was due to the controversial proposal of integrating [[Malta]] with the [[United Kingdom]] and fear that the Malta Labour Party was becoming socialist or communist. This interdict condemnation was removed in 1969, when the Malta Labour Party and Maltese Roman Catholic Authorities reached a truce.<ref>{{cite web | title= The Unholy War | work=Malta Today, | url=http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/2005/10/09/pix/interdett.pdf | accessdate=March 13 | accessyear=2005}}</ref> Previously in the 1930s, there had been an interdict in Malta against both the Constitutional Party and Labour.<ref>''Church and State in Malta'', Jon P. Mitchell [http://www.springerlink.com/index/x7t5535503100444.pdf]</ref> |
|||
Bishop [[René Henry Gracida]] of [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Corpus Christi|Corpus Christi, Texas]] interdicted a Catholic politician in the late 20th century for supporting legal abortion; the unnamed individual died while under interdict.<ref>http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=32440</ref> |
|||
==See also== |
==See also== |
||
Revision as of 08:42, 26 February 2008
In the Roman Catholic Church, the word interdict (in’tér-dikt) usually refers to an ecclesiastical penalty. Interdicts may be real, local or personal. A personal interdict pertains to one or more persons. A real or local interdict, which is no longer a part of canon law, suspends all public worship and withdraws the church's sacraments in a territory or country.[1] A local interdict against a country was to it the equivalent of excommunication against an individual. It would cause all the churches to be closed, and almost all the sacraments not to be allowed (i.e. preventing marriage, confession, anointing of the sick, and the eucharist). Certain exceptions allow for baptism, anointing of the sick, and sacraments on Christian holidays.
Interdiction was used by the Pope during the Middle Ages as a way to influence rulers. For example, Pope Innocent III placed the kingdom of England under an interdict for seven years between 1208 and 1215 after King John refused to accept the pope's appointee as Archbishop of Canterbury. Pope Gregory XI placed the city of Florence under interdict in March 1376 during the War of the Eight Saints, while Pope Paul V placed the Republic of Venice under interdict in 1606 after the civil authorities jailed two priests.[2]
An interdict can also be a penalty against a specific individual or group. It is like excommunication in that the person is barred from receiving the sacraments and participating in public worship, but it does not bar the person from continuing to hold and exercise ecclesiastical office. For a lay member of the church, it is basically equivalent to excommunication, though with the implication that they remain Catholic.
Automatic interdict
Certain offenses incur an automatic (latae sententiae) interdict:
- Physical violence against a bishop (canon 1370 §2)
- Attempting to preside over or concelebrate in Mass while being a deacon or lay person (canon 1378 §2 1°)
- Hearing and/or attempting to absolve confessions while being a deacon or lay person (canon 1378 §2 2°)
- Falsely accusing a priest of soliciting adultery while in confession (canon 1390 §1)
- Attempting to marry while having a perpetual vow of chastity (canon 1394 §2)
Other offenses may incur an interdict:
- Public incitement against the Apostolic See or the local ordinary (canon 1373)
- Promoting or directing a prohibited association (canon 1374)
- The crime of simony (canon 1380)
Modern examples
In 1909, the town of Adria in Italy was placed under interdict for 15 days after a local campaign against the move of a bishop.[3]
In Malta in 1961, Bishop Michael Gonzi interdicted those who favoured the opinions of the Malta Labour Party. Their burial had to be done in unconsecrated land, and their marriages in sacristies. This was due to the controversial proposal of integrating Malta with the United Kingdom and fear that the Malta Labour Party was becoming socialist or communist. This interdict condemnation was removed in 1969, when the Malta Labour Party and Maltese Roman Catholic Authorities reached a truce.[4] Previously in the 1930s, there had been an interdict in Malta against both the Constitutional Party and Labour.[5]
Bishop René Henry Gracida of Corpus Christi, Texas interdicted a Catholic politician in the late 20th century for supporting legal abortion; the unnamed individual died while under interdict.[6]
See also
References
- ^ American International Encyclopedia, J.J. Little Co., New York 1954, Vol VIII
- ^ http://www.seattlecatholic.com/article_20040921.html
- ^ http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0403714.htm
- ^ "The Unholy War" (PDF). Malta Today,. Retrieved March 13.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) - ^ Church and State in Malta, Jon P. Mitchell [1]
- ^ http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=32440