The Catholic Catechism by John Hardon

Author:John Hardon
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Religion, Catholicism, Catechesis, Christianity
ISBN: 9780307779588
Publisher: Image
Published: 1975-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

A grave problem exists, of course, in countries under Marxist rule where the State directly interferes in every phase of the episcopal office. But the more subtle possibility of interference with the Church’s freedom through simoniacal means in other countries was hereby recognized, where bishops are somehow selected by the temporal powers.

On a more immediately practical level, the Church has more than once affirmed the licitness of nominal fees for various services rendered, such as the granting of marriage dispensations, since the purpose of the fee is to defray the clerical expenses involved. So too with stipends for Masses, which is not considered simony because the money is given for the support of the priest and not in payment for the Mass, and the stipend helps to defray the expenses of the materials used at Mass. At the same time, priests are cautioned to give spiritual ministration without regard to the financial remuneration they receive from the people. More than once those were strongly reprimanded “who would deny sacramental absolution to the faithful who are unwilling to pay their collection dues,” assuming the person were otherwise disposed for absolution.8

Mindful of the exhortation of James not to try to combine faith in Jesus Christ with “making distinction between classes of people,” Catholic priests are told that, while they are the “servants of all,” they must take special pains to serve the poor and lowly, because Our Lord was especially devoted to them.9 Simony is the failure to share one’s spiritual gifts or possessions except for a price, whereas Christ entrusted his grace to the Church to be communicated freely and without looking for mercenary gain.

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