Irreligion: Sacrilege

Sacrilege is the violation or misuse of what is sacred. Things that belong to the worship of God have, by their purpose and use, a certain sacredness. To violate or profane such things is tobe irreverent to God for whose worship the things exist.

Sacrilege is a special sin opposed to the virtue of religion. St. John Damascene says that when the purple has been made into a royal robe we honor it, and that he who dishonors it is punished. So also when anything is made into the instrument of divine worship, it is sacred, and he who dishonors it does a special and punishable thing.

Sacrilege is not only found in the profane andirreverent use of sacred things; it is also found in irreverenttreatment of sacred persons, and in irreverent conduct in sacred places. The worst sacrilege against persons is that of irreverentuse of our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament; this terrible sin is committed by those who misuse or profane the sacred species, and by those who deliberately receive Communion unworthily. Sacrilegeagainst persons is also committed by those who offer physicalindignity to persons consecrated to God by vow or by holy order. Sacrilege in things is found in the irreligious use of sacred vessels, vestments, images, relics, medals, and the like. Sacrilegein places is committed by whatever profanes the altar or the house of God.

Sacrilege is sometimes punished by the Church throughexcommunication or other censure. In Catholic countries, it is sometimes punished by civil laws also.