Moral obligation to do or to omit certain things. It is consequent upon law. Whenever laws conflict, there arises a seeming conflict of duty. In the sense, however, that duty is moral obligation, i.e.,an act imposed or prohibited under a Divine sanction, there can be no real conflict. Conscience (reason) must, in the premises, extend its inquiry beyond the conflicting laws to discover wherein duty lies. If there is question of different lawgivers, the higher in authority prevails, e.g., God before men; if from the same lawgiver but about different matters, the more important and necessary matter prevails, e.g., self-preservation as to life before health; if there is question of the same lawgiver and the same matter, the hierarchy of persons is decisive, e.g., dependents before strangers.
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
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