The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-10-05

I. Are such expressions as damn
it," ETC., VeniaI or mortal sins? 2.
Is it permissible for chauffers to work
on Sundays and Holidays of obliga-
tion?y Would such a person be al
lowed to miss Mass if his employer
wished to start early on trip? 8.
Are priests allowed to exact any GER
tain amounts for funerals, weddings,
and baptisms? q. Are we bound,
under pain of sin, to obey the state
Fish and Game Laws or any state
law which is in addition to the moral
law, or are we bound only under the
state penalty? 5. Are several small
thefts from the same person equiva-
lent to one large one?
/. Profane words and vulgar ex-
pressions like these are commonly
used without any definite realization
of their full meaning and, at most,
are venia11y sinful because they are
unbecoming, shock others, or are
manifestations of anger and impati-
ence. They spring usually from little
outbursts of anger over petty annoy
ances, are spoken under sudden i'm
pulse and usually without any adver-
tence to their real significance. When,
however, the evil which they imply
is wished another precisely because
it is evil and with malice aforethought
it is always sinful, the gravity of
which varies with the seriousness of
the evil. If the evil be great then
4ho OIL ic cruiou afh nryuicn II
is venial 2. The Church makes no
special exception for chauffers as far
as the obligation of hearing Mass on
Sunday is concerned. If they can do
so without serious inconvenience they
are bound just the same as other peo-
pie. Like all servants there may be
times when the requirements of their
position make it impossible for them
to attend Mass without great incon-
venience and at the risk of losing
their position. In such cases they
are not to be blamed too much it,
occasionally, they fail to attend
Mass on Sundays or holidays Of obi
cation. But they should make an
effort to remedy this by seeking other
situations more favorable to the prac-
tice of their faith. They are not
bound to give up their positions at
once at the risk of serious loss to be
suffered through want of position.
8. It is customary for the faithful to
make an offering to the priest on the
occasion of the baptism of a child.
There is no fixed amount which can
be exacted and if the offering is not
forthcoming, the priest who performs
the ceremony will not think any the
less of them. For funerals and we'd
dings the case is somewhat different.
The faithful usually make a substan-
tial offering on such occasions. This
offering is intended to defray any ex-
penses that may be incurred in con-
nection with the funeral or wedding,
such for instance, as the heating OF
the church in winter, the services of
the choir, the decorations of the altar
the securing of a dispensation and
anything special that may be desired
by the interested parties. In many
dioceses a certain amount is fixed as a
minimum for the necessary expenses
incurred on such occasions. AS
general rule, the faithful understand
these things and usually tender a
fee which not only covers the ex-
pense incurred but also includes the
customary offering for the officiating
priest. 4. AS a general rule it may
be laid down that we are obliged in
conscience to obey all just laws made
for the public welfare. Efficient game
laws and other statutory provisions OF
a similar nature have a sanction
which is usually considered sufficient
punishment for failure to observe
them. 5. Several small thefts from
one person are equivalent to large
one, if it was the intention of the
thief to take considerable sum but
for some special reason he takes it in
small amounts and at different times,
or if these small amounts taken at
different times are boarded until they
form large amount. If the amounts
taken at different times are spent as
taken and not allowed to accumulate,
the different thefts will constitute one
grevious act of injustice if the inter
val between them be not notable, not
over two months, as some theologians
say. Small thefts committed at wide
intervals of time which do not Goa
Lessee on account of any of the reasons
given in the foregoing are not con-
sidered one mortal sin but remain as
so many venial sins of theft.
Can priest assist at the marriage
of a Catholic with a non-CathoIic in
church, in the evening, with non-Cath.
Ollie witnesses?
The regulations of the Church in re
gard to mixed marriages require that
the marriage of a Catholic to a non
Catholic be performed in the sacristy
or in the priests house. In this coun.
try it is not permissible to have a
mixed marriage performed in the