Synthesized answer
The provided passages do not contain information about the practical implications of the "Edict of Milan (313)". The passages discuss principles of formal and material cooperation in sin, the conditions under which material cooperation might be justified, and the obligation of restitution when damage is done to a third party [1, 2, 4]. They also mention historical reactions of English Catholics to a papal bull [5] and cite various theological and medical works [3].
Synthesized from the book passages below. Chat with the book on Feynman for follow-up.
From the book
nd when there is a sufficient reason for permitting on the part of another the sin which is a consequence of the action. The reason for this assertion is patent; for the action of the accomplice is assumed to be unexceptionable, his intention is already bespoken to be proper, and he cannot be burdened with the sin of the principal agent, since there is supposed to be a commensurately weighty reason for not preventing it. Practically, however, it is often difficult to apply these principles, because it is hard to determine whether the co-operation is formal or only material, and also whether…
ations will be of value in discerning whether in an instance of material co-operation the reason avowed is valid or not. The necessity for a more and more powerful reason is accentuated in proportion as there is (1) a greater likelihood that the sin would not be committed without the act of material co-operation; (2) a closer relationship between the two; and (3) a greater heinousness in the sin, especially in regard to harm done either to the common weal or some unoffending third party. It is to be observed that, when damage has been done to a third person, the question is raised not only of…
ns should arise, which is most improbable, to change these pronouncements those reasons would receive due consideration. Antonelli , Medicina Pastoralis; Capellman , Pastoral Medicine; Eschbach , Disputationes Physicæ; Coppens , Moral Principles and Medical Practice ; Klarmann , The Crux of Pastoral Medicine, The Right to Life of the Unborn Child; Slater , Principia Theologia Moralis. C. Coppens .
e, to persuade another to absent himself without reason from Mass on Sunday would be an instance of formal co-operation. To sell a person in an ordinary business transaction a revolver which he presently uses to kill himself is a case of material co-operation. Then it must be borne in mind that the co-operation may be described as proximate or remote in proportion to the closeness of relation between the action of the principal and that of his helper. The teaching with regard to this subject-matter is very plain, and may be stated in this wise: Formal co-operation is never lawful, since it…
pposition was nothing less than high treason. But a large number of English Catholics refused to go so far as rebellion. The historian already quoted admits that the opposition which relied on avowedly treasonable methods was "limited to extremists" (ibid., 297). Elsewhere he says of the rank and file of English Catholics: "They tried to ignore their painful dilemma between two forms of allegiance, for both of which they had deep respect" (p. 370). As Lingard writes: "among the English Catholics (the bull) served only to breed doubts, dissensions, and dismay. Many contended that it had been…