Roman Catholic-sponsored: Rules on Prohibited Books
I
All books which have been condemned either by the supreme pontiffs or by ecumenical councils before the year 1515 and are not contained in this list, shall be considered condemned in the same manner as they were formerly condemned.
II
The books of those heresiarchs, who after the aforesaid year originated or revived heresies, as well as of those who are or have been the heads or leaders of heretics, as Luther, Zwingli, Calvin, Balthasar Friedberg, Schwenkfeld, and others like these, whatever may be their name, title or nature of their heresy, are absolutely forbidden. The books of other heretics, however, which deal professedly with religion are absolutely condemned. Those on the other hand, which do not deal with religion and have by order of the bishops and inquisitors been examined by Catholic theologians and approved by them, are permitted. Likewise, Catholic books written by those who afterward fell into heresy, as well as by those who after their fall returned to the bosom of the Church, may be permitted if they have been approved by the theological faculty of a Catholic university or by the general inquisition.
III
The translations of writers, also ecclesiastical, which have till now been edited by condemned authors, are permitted provided they contain nothing contrary to sound doctrine. Translations of the books of the Old Testament may in the judgment of the bishop be permitted to learned and pious men only, provided such translations are used only as elucidations of the Vulgate Edition for the understanding of the Holy Scriptures and not as the sound text. Translations of the New Testament made by authors of the first class of this list shall be permitted to no one, since great danger and little usefulness usually results to readers from their perusal. But if with such translations as are permitted or with the Vulgate Edition some annotations are circulated, these may also, after the suspected passages have been expunged by the theological faculty of some Catholic university or by the general inquisition, be permitted to those to whom the translations are permitted. Under these circumstances the entire volume of the Sacred Books, which is commonly called the or parts of it, may be permitted to pious and learned men. From the Bibles of Isidore Clarius of Brescia, however, the preface and introduction are to be removed, and no one shall regard its text as the text of the Vulgate Edition.
IV
Since it is clear from experience that if the Sacred Books are permitted everywhere and without discrimination in the vernacular, there will by reason of the boldness of men arise therefrom more harm than good, the matter is in this respect left to the judgment of the bishop or inquisitor, who may with the advice of the pastor or confessor permit the reading of the Sacred Books translated into the vernacular by Catholic authors to those who they know will derive from such reading no harm but rather an increase of faith and piety, which permission they must have in writing. Those, however, who presume to read or possess them without such permission may not receive absolution from their sins till they have handed them over to the ordinary. Bookdealers who sell or in any other way supply Bibles written in the vernacular to anyone who has not this permission, shall lose the price of the books, which is to be applied by the bishop to pious purposes, and in keeping with the nature of the crime they shall be subject to other penalties which are left to the judgment of the same bishop. Regulars who have not the permission of their superiors may not read or purchase them.
V
Those books which sometimes produce the works of heretical authors, in which these add little or nothing of their own but rather collect therein the sayings of others, as lexicons, concordances, apothegms, parables, tables of contents and such like, are permitted if whatever needs to be eliminated in the additions is removed and corrected in accordance with the suggestions of the bishop, the inquisitor and Catholic theologians.
VI
Books which deal in the vernacular with the controversies between Catholics and heretics of our time may not be permitted indiscriminately, but the same is to be observed with regard to them what has been decreed concerning Bibles written in the vernacular. There is no reason, however, why those should be prohibited which have been written in the vernacular for the purpose of pointing out the right way to live, to contemplate, to confess, and similar purposes, if they contain sound doctrine, just as popular sermons in the vernacular are not prohibited. But if hitherto in some kingdom or province certain books have been prohibited because they contained matter the reading of which would be of no benefit to all indiscriminately, these may, if their authors are Catholic, be permitted by the bishop and inquisitor after they have been corrected.
VII
Books which professedly deal with, narrate or teach things lascivious or obscene are absolutely prohibited, since not only the matter of faith but also that of morals, which are usually easily corrupted through the reading of such books, must be taken into consideration, and those who possess them are to be severely punished by the bishops. Ancient books written by heathens (non-Christians) may by reason of their elegance and quality of style be permitted, but may by no means be read to children.
VIII
Books whose chief contents are good but in which some things have incidentally been inserted which have reference to heresy, ungodliness, divination or superstition, may be permitted if by the authority of the general inquisition they have been purged by Catholic theologians. The same decision holds good with regard to prefaces, summaries or annotations which are added by condemned authors to books not condemned. Hereafter, however, these shall not be printed till they have been corrected.
IX
All books and writings dealing with geomancy, hydromancy, aeromancy, pyromancy, oneiromancy, chiromancy, necromancy, or with sortilege, mixing of poisons, augury, auspices, sorcery, magic arts, are absolutely repudiated. The bishops shall diligently see to it that books, treatises, catalogues determining destiny by astrology, which in the matter of future events, consequences, or fortuitous occurrences, or of actions that depend on the human will, attempt to affirm something as certain to take place, are not read or possessed. Permitted, on the other hand, are the opinions and natural observations which have been written in the interest of navigation, agriculture or the medical art.
X
In the printing of books or other writings is to be observed what was decreed in the tenth session of the Lateran Council under Leo X. Wherefore, if in the fair city of Rome any book is to be printed, it shall first be examined by the vicar of the supreme pontiff and by the Master of the Sacred Palace or by the persons appointed by our most holy Lord. In other localities this approbation and examination shall pertain to the bishop or to one having a knowledge of the book or writing to be printed appointed by the bishop and to the inquisitor of the city or diocese in which the printing is done, and it shall be approved by the signature of their own hand, free of charge and without delay under the penalties and censures contained in the same decree, with the observance of this rule and condition that an authentic copy of the book to be printed, undersigned by the author’s hand, remain with the examiner. Those who circulate books in manuscript form before they have been examined and approved, shall in the judgment of the Fathers delegated by the council be subject to the same penalties as the printers, and those who possess and read them shall, unless they make known the authors, be themselves regarded as the authors. The approbation of such books shall be given in writing and must appear authentically in the front of the written or printed book and the examination, approbation and other things must be done free of charge. Moreover, in all cities and dioceses the houses or places where the art of printing is carried on and the libraries offering books for sale, shall be visited often by persons appointed for this purpose by the bishop or his vicar and also by the inquisitor, so that nothing that is prohibited be printed, sold or possessed. All book-dealers and venders of books shall have in their libraries a list of the books which they have for sale subscribed by the said persons, and without the permission of the same appointed persons they may not under penalties of confiscation of the books and other penalties to be imposed in the judgment of the bishops and inquisitors, possess or sell or in any other manner whatsoever supply other books. Venders, readers and printers shall be punished according to the judgment of the same. If anyone brings into any city any books whatsoever he shall be bound to give notice thereof to the same delegated persons, or in case a public place is provided for wares of that kind, then the public officials of that place shall notify the aforesaid persons that books have been brought in. But let no one dare give to anyone a book to read which he himself or another has brought into the city or in any way dispose of or loan it, unless he has first exhibited the book and obtained the permission of the persons appointed, or unless it is well known that the reading of the book is permitted to all. The same shall be observed by heirs and executors of last wills, so, namely, that they exhibit the books left by those deceased, or a list of them, to the persons delegated and obtain from them permission before they use them or in any way transfer them to other persons. In each and all of such cases let a penalty be prescribed, covering either the confiscation of books or in the judgment of the bishops or inquisitors another that is in keeping with the degree of the contumacy or the character of the offense.
With reference to those books which the delegated Fathers have examined and expurgated or have caused to be expurgated, or under certain conditions have permitted to be printed again, the book-dealers as well as others shall observe whatever is known to have been prescribed by them. The bishops and general inquisitors, however, in view of the authority which they have, are free to prohibit even those books which appear to be permitted by these rules, if they should deem this advisable in their kingdoms, provinces or dioceses. Moreover, the secretary of those delegated has by order of our most holy Lord [the pope] to hand over in writing to the notary of the holy universal Roman inquisition the names of the books which have been expurgated by the delegated Fathers as well as the names of those to whom they committed this task.
Finally, all the faithful are commanded not to presume to read or possess any books contrary to the prescriptions of these rules or the prohibition of this list. And if anyone should read or possess books by heretics or writings by any author condemned and prohibited by reason of heresy or suspicion of false teaching, he incurs immediately the sentence of excommunication. He, on the other hand, who reads or possesses books prohibited under another name shall, besides incurring the guilt of mortal sin, be severely punished according to the judgment of the bishops.
See also: Papal Bull Coeli Et Terrae (1586)
Sarvarthapedia Knowledge Web: Tridentine Rules on Prohibited Books (Rules I–X)
Core Node: Tridentine System of Book Regulation
The ten rules function as an integrated framework governing:
- Heresy
- Scriptural access
- Vernacular literature
- Moral discipline
- Divination and magic
- Printing and publication
- Ecclesiastical authority
- Censorship and expurgation
See Also
- Ecclesiastical Censorship
- Roman Inquisition
- Index of Prohibited Books
- Council of Trent
- Heresy
- Printing Revolution
- Scriptural Interpretation
- Astrology and Divination
- Moral Theology
- Democratization of Knowledge
Rule I: Previously Condemned Books
Concept
All works condemned before 1515 by popes or ecumenical councils remain prohibited even if not explicitly listed.
Connected Concepts
- Historical Condemnations
- Papal Authority
- Ecumenical Councils
- Continuity of Canon Law
- Ecclesiastical Memory
See Also
- Rule II
- Council Decrees
- Medieval Heresies
- Canon Law
Rule II: Heretical Authors
Concept
Books written by founders, leaders, or major propagators of heresy are prohibited.
Connected Figures
- Martin Luther
- Huldrych Zwingli
- John Calvin
- Caspar Schwenckfeld
Related Themes
- Protestant Reformation
- Doctrinal Error
- Religious Polemics
- Confessional Identity
See Also
- Rule VI
- Rule X
- Reformation
- Counter-Reformation
Rule III: Authorized Translations
Concept
Translations are not automatically condemned merely because their editors were condemned.
Acceptance depends upon doctrinal conformity.
Key Distinctions
Permitted
- Approved translations
- Corrected annotations
- Scholarly use of Old Testament translations
Forbidden
- New Testament translations by major heretical authors
Related Concepts
- Biblical Humanism
- Vulgate Authority
- Textual Control
- Scholarly Exegesis
See Also
- Rule IV
- Council of Trent on Scripture
- Biblical Interpretation
Rule IV: Vernacular Bibles
Concept
Access to Scripture in local languages is restricted and supervised.
Central Principle
The Church considered unrestricted vernacular reading potentially dangerous if detached from authorized interpretation.
Connected Themes
- Lay Religious Education
- Clerical Mediation
- Pastoral Supervision
- Literacy and Religion
See Also
- Rule III
- Rule VI
- Vulgate
- Scriptural Authority
Rule V: Reference Works
Concept
Lexicons, concordances, collections of quotations, and similar tools may be permitted after correction.
Related Categories
- Dictionaries
- Concordances
- Encyclopedic Collections
- Educational Literature
Central Idea
Utility can outweigh problematic additions.
See Also
- Rule VIII
- Humanist Scholarship
- Expurgation
Rule VI: Vernacular Religious Controversy
Concept
Books discussing Catholic-Protestant disputes in vernacular languages require regulation.
Distinction
Restricted
- Polemical religious controversy
Generally Allowed
- Devotional works
- Moral instruction
- Spiritual guidance
- Sermons
Related Themes
- Popular Religion
- Religious Education
- Polemical Literature
See Also
- Rule II
- Rule IV
- Counter-Reformation Catechesis
Rule VII: Obscene and Lascivious Literature
Concept
The Index regulates morality as well as doctrine.
Connected Themes
- Moral Corruption
- Sexual Ethics
- Public Morality
- Educational Control
Important Exception
Classical pagan literature may be tolerated for literary excellence.
Related Tension
- Classical Learning
- Christian Morality
See Also
- Humanism
- Classical Education
- Moral Theology
Rule VIII: Expurgation
Concept
Books containing isolated errors may be corrected rather than entirely banned.
Key Mechanism
Expurgation removes:
- Heresy
- Superstition
- Divination
- Offensive annotations
Related Concepts
- Corrected Editions
- Textual Revision
- Scholarly Review
See Also
- Rule V
- Rule X
- Censorship Practices
- Catholic Scholarship
Rule IX: Divination, Magic, and Astrology
Concept
Texts teaching occult prediction or magical arts are prohibited.
Forbidden Practices
- Geomancy
- Hydromancy
- Aeromancy
- Pyromancy
- Oneiromancy
- Chiromancy
- Necromancy
- Sorcery
- Magical arts
Conditional Astrology
Forbidden
Astrological predictions concerning:
- Human destiny
- Future contingent events
- Free human actions
Permitted
Natural observations aiding:
- Navigation
- Agriculture
- Medicine
Connected Intellectual Traditions
- Augustine’s Critique of Astrology
- Thomistic Natural Philosophy
- Free Will
- Providence
See Also
- Judicial Astrology
- Natural Astrology
- Divination
- Demonology
- Rule VIII
Rule X: Printing, Licensing, and Surveillance
Concept
No book may be printed without prior ecclesiastical examination and approval.
Institutional Actors
- Bishops
- Inquisitors
- Papal Officials
- Theologians
- Licensed Examiners
Regulatory Functions
Pre-Publication Control
- Review manuscripts
- Approve texts
- Issue licenses
Post-Publication Control
- Inspect bookshops
- Monitor libraries
- Confiscate prohibited books
Enforcement
- Fines
- Confiscation
- Ecclesiastical penalties
Related Themes
- Information Control
- Print Culture
- State Formation
- Religious Discipline
See Also
- Roman Inquisition
- Index of Prohibited Books
- Rule II
- Rule VIII
- Council of Trent
Major Concept Cluster: Heresy and Orthodoxy
Central Nodes
- Rule I
- Rule II
- Rule VI
- Rule X
Shared Concern
Protection of doctrinal unity.
Connected Concepts
- Protestant Reformation
- Orthodoxy
- Confessionalization
- Ecclesiastical Authority
Major Concept Cluster: Scripture and Interpretation
Central Nodes
- Rule III
- Rule IV
- Rule VI
Shared Concern
Control of scriptural interpretation.
Connected Concepts
- Vulgate
- Exegesis
- Biblical Translation
- Lay Reading
Major Concept Cluster: Knowledge and Censorship
Central Nodes
- Rule V
- Rule VIII
- Rule X
Shared Concern
Regulating knowledge without eliminating useful learning.
Connected Concepts
- Humanism
- Scholarly Editing
- Expurgation
- Intellectual Authority
Major Concept Cluster: Superstition and Occult Knowledge
Central Nodes
- Rule VIII
- Rule IX
Shared Concern
Distinguishing natural knowledge from illicit divination.
Connected Concepts
- Astrology
- Magic
- Fortune-Telling
- Providence
- Free Will
- Natural Philosophy
Major Concept Cluster: Moral Regulation
Central Nodes
- Rule VII
- Rule IX
Shared Concern
Protection of Christian morality.
Connected Concepts
- Sin
- Virtue
- Sexual Ethics
- Superstition
- Pastoral Discipline
Network Hub Relationships
Index of Prohibited Books
Connected to:
- Rule I
- Rule II
- Rule VIII
- Rule X
Roman Inquisition
Connected to:
- Rule II
- Rule IV
- Rule VIII
- Rule X
Council of Trent
Connected to:
- Rule III
- Rule IV
- Rule VI
- Rule X
Astrology
Connected to:
- Rule IX
- Free Will
- Aquinas
- Augustine
- Divination
Printing Press
Connected to:
- Rule X
- Censorship
- Reformation
- Dissemination of Knowledge
Ecclesiastical Authority
Connected to every rule, serving as the organizing principle of the entire regulatory system.
