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| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
Desecration is the loss of that peculiar quality of sacredness, which inheres in places and things in virtue of the constitutive blessing of theChurch. When material objects are destined for purposes of Divine worship they are set aside with a view to this end by the solemn form ofconsecration or by the simpler formula of a blessing, so that they assume a sacred and inviolable character which renders unlawful their employment for profane uses. Now when they lose this stamp or character of sacredness they are said to become desecrated. As a general principle it may be set down that places and things, which have been eitherconsecrated or blessed, retain theirconsecration and blessing so long as they remain, morally speaking, the same as they were in the beginning, and consequently, so long as they continue fit to serve the purposes for which they were originally destined. The opinion was formerly held by some that sacred utensils, such aschalices, which are anointed with holy oil should, before being sent to a mechanic for repairs, be deprived of their sacred character by a specialceremony of desecration. This view was condemned by the Congregation of Rites (n. 2620, ed. 1900). Such aceremony is entirely superfluous. For if a sacred utensil becomes broken and unfit for use it thereby loses itsconsecration; while if it is still fit for use but requires regilding, noceremony could desecrate it. In this instance permission, express or implied, should be obtained from the ordinary to hand it over to a mechanic for repairs (cf. Gardellini, Commentary on Decrees of C. S. R., 225). Shouldconsecrated vessels become altogether unfit for altar use, they may be melted down and devoted to profane uses. But vestments, altar cloths and linens must, in similar circumstances, be destroyed, because they retain the form under which they were originally blessed (cf. Gardellini, loc. cit).
The worddesecration is commonly used in regard to churches, altars, chalices, etc.
(1) A church loses itsconsecration or blessing when the building is destroyed either wholly or in greater part, or when an addition is made to it of larger extent than the original edifice. It does not become desecrated:
(2) An altar (fixed) loses itsconsecration:
(3) Analtar-stone loses itsconsecration:
(4) As to the chalice and paten, see ALTAR, under subtitleLoss of Consecration.
Decretalium, III, Tit., xl, xlviii; WERNZ,Jus Decretalium (Rome, 1901), Tit., xvii; MANY,De Locis Sacris (Paris, 1904); SCHULTE,Consecranda (New York, 1907).
APA citation.Morrisroe, P.(1908).Desecration. InThe Catholic Encyclopedia.New York: Robert Appleton Company.http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04748c.htm
MLA citation.Morrisroe, Patrick."Desecration."The Catholic Encyclopedia.Vol. 4.New York: Robert Appleton Company,1908.<http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04748c.htm>.
Transcription.This article was transcribed for New Advent by Douglas J. Potter.Dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ.
Ecclesiastical approbation.Nihil Obstat. Remy Lafort, Censor.Imprimatur. +John M. Farley, Archbishop of New York.
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