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Hatred in general is a vehement aversion entertained by oneperson for another, or for something more or less identified with that other.Theologians commonly mention two distinct species of thispassion.
This second kind of hatred, as involving a very direct and absolute violation of the precept ofcharity, is alwayssinful and may be grievously so. The first-named species of hatred, in so far as it implies the reprobation of what is actuallyevil, is not asin and may even represent a virtuous temper ofsoul. In other words, not only may I, but I even ought to, hate what is contrary to the moral law. Furthermore one may withoutsin go so far in the detestation of wrongdoing as to wish that which for its perpetrator is a very well-definedevil, yet under another aspect is a much more signal good. For instance, it would be lawful topray for the death of a perniciously active heresiarch with a view to putting a stop to his ravages among theChristian people. Of course, it is clear that this apparentzeal must not be an excuse for catering to personal spite or party rancour. Still, even when the motive of one's aversion is not impersonal, when, namely, it arises from the damage we may have sustained at the hands of others, we are not guilty ofsin unless besides feeling indignation we yield to an aversion unwarranted by the hurt we have suffered. This aversion may be grievously or veniallysinful in proportion to its excess over that which the injury would justify.
When by any conceivable stretch of human wickednessGod Himself is the object of hatred the guilt is appallingly special. If it be that kind of enmity (odium inimicitiae) which prompts the sinner to loatheGod in Himself, to regret the Divine perfections precisely in so far as they belong toGod, then the offence committed obtains the undisputed primacy in all the miserablehierarchy ofsin. In fact, such an attitude of mind is fairly and adequately described as diabolical; the human will detaches itself immediately fromGod; in othersins it does so only mediately and by consequence, that is, because of its inordinate use of some creature it is averted fromGod. To be sure, according to the teaching ofSt. Thomas (II-II:24:12) and thetheologians, any mortalsin carries with it the loss of the habit ofsupernatural charity, and implies so to speak a sort of virtual and interpretive hatred ofGod, which, however, is not a separate specific malice to be referred to inconfession, but only a circumstance predicable of every grievoussin.
APA citation.Delany, J.(1910).Hatred. InThe Catholic Encyclopedia.New York: Robert Appleton Company.http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07149b.htm
MLA citation.Delany, Joseph."Hatred."The Catholic Encyclopedia.Vol. 7.New York: Robert Appleton Company,1910.<http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07149b.htm>.
Transcription.This article was transcribed for New Advent by Randy Heinz, sfo.
Ecclesiastical approbation.Nihil Obstat. June 1, 1910. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor.Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York.
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