A law imposed not with a view of binding it on conscience, but of exacting a penalty for its non-observance. When the law and the penalty are reasonable one who breaks the law is bound in conscience to pay the penalty. When the law is unreasonable, as are all laws of persecution for religion, for instance, and laws forced through legislatures by political maladroitness, there is no obligation either to observe it or pay the penalty but, on the contrary, a duty on the part of every good citizen to resist and bring about its repeal or modification.
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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