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I. As we saw above, mortal sin is always committed whenever venereal pleasure is directly sought or deliberate consent is given to it, even though the venereal excitement be little and stop short of consummated sin. In other words, there is no parvity of matter, as theologians say, in sins of impurity when the venereal pleasure is voluntary in itself. It follows from this that non-consummated .acts of impurity such as immodest touches, looks, talk, reading, will be mortally sinful whenever they are indulged in with a view to exciting venereal pleasure.

2. Even though the excitement of venereal pleasure be not directly intended, yet immodest touches will be more or less sinful in proportion as they are more likely to excite venereal pleasure, and there is no just cause for allowing them. If there is a just and proportionate cause for permitting immodest touches and any venereal pleasure that may ensue is not intended or consented to, then there is no sin in them. When there is no good reason for allowing immodest touches, they will be mortally sinful if, as a general rule in normally constituted persons, they tend to cause great venereal excitement; otherwise they will be venially sinful.

Hinc: (a) Tactus in partes inhonestas alterius personae diversi sexus sunt mortalia, imo alterius personae ejusdem sexus, nisi leviter ex joco vel petulantia fiant.

(b) Tangere genitalia brutorum, vel partes minus honestas alterius personae per se veniale non excedit.

In the same way immodest looks may be gravely or venially sinful, or perfectly lawful, according to circumstances. When there is just cause for them and no harm is intended or consented to, they are lawful. If there is no good reason for them, and of their nature they tend to cause great venereal excitement, they are mortally sinful; otherwise they are only venially sinful.

Hinc: (a) Aspicere ex curiositate pudenda personae alterius sexus, vel concubitum humanum, est mortale peccatum, nisi brevissime fiat, vel a longa distantia, vel si aspiciens sit senex, frigidus, talibus assuetus, quia tales parum moventur. Facilius