166 THE MEANS OF GRACE 



if the penitent would otherwise remain in proxi- 

 mate danger of formal sin, or his ignorance 

 would result in spiritual injury to himself, e. g., 

 by regarding as sinful something which is per- 

 mitted. 



In applying these rules it is necessary to proceed with 

 caution. "Some theologians assume," says Linsenmann, 

 "that there is a species of error in moral matters which the 

 confessor had better leave untouched, in other words, that 

 the penitent runs less danger of committing formal sin if 

 he transgresses a moral law ignorantly and in good faith, 

 than if he is instructed with regard to his error. This 

 assumption is scarcely ever founded in fact. An error 

 that involves no moral danger either to the penitent or to 

 others, cannot possibly have reference to the substance of 

 the moral law, but will invariably pertain to purely human 

 precepts of minor importance. If the penitent were un- 

 willing to accept instruction in a matter involving mortal 

 sin, — and only in such a case would it be the confessor's 

 duty to instruct him, — he would be incapable of receiving 

 absolution." 8 



Readings. — St. Alphonsus, Theologia Moralis, 1. VI, n. 607-616 

 (ed. Gaude, Vol. Ill, pp. 631 sqq.). — H. Noldin, S.J., Summa 

 Theol. Mor., Vol. Ill, pp. 462 sqq. — A. Tanquerey, Synopsis Thcol. 

 Mor. et Past., Vol. I, pp. 195 sqq. — F. A. Gopfert, Moraltheologie, 

 Vol. Ill, 5th ed., pp. 234 sqq. — J. E. Pruner, Lehrbuch der Pa- 

 storaltheologic, Vol. I, 2nd ed., pp. 247 sqq., 255 sqq. — F. P. Ken- 

 rick, Theologia Moralis, Vol. II, 2nd ed., Malines 1861, pp. 256 

 sqq. — Al. Sabetti, S.J., Compendium Thcologiae Moralis, 22nd ed. 

 (by T. Barrett, S.J.), New York 1915, pp. 745 sqq. 



8 Linsenmann, Lehrbuch der Moraltheologie, p. 219. 



