The Roman Index of Forbidden Books (Betten)/Section I/Chapter 8
8. The Method of Examination.
Our confidence in the fairness of the verdicts of the Roman authorities will be much increased if we acquaint ourselves with the method they follow in carrying out their task. This method was outlined by Pope Benedict XIV in 1753 in his bull, Sollicita ac Provida for the Holy Office and the then existing Index Congregation. With the exception of a few slight differences suggested by the Order of Business adopted in each of the two Congregations, it is the same for both. The Holy Office proceeds in the following way.
There is regularly a session on Monday comprising only those members of the Congregation who are not Cardinals, in order to deliberate about the matters to be proposed to the latter. The Cardinals hold their meeting on Wednesday, and in this session the final step is decided upon. But the decree of the Cardinals must still be reported to the Pope, without whose consent no verdict of any Congregation may be published.
Now when there is the question of the condemnation of a book, it is first handed to one of the consultors, who must study and examine it carefully. He must draw up a detailed report, noting exactly the passages which he finds objectionable, and pointing out redeeming features. The book with his report next goes to the other consultors, so that each one can satisfy himself whether the first examiner's view is well founded, and has an opportunity to formulate his own judgment. The matter is then proposed in one of the Monday sessions and publicly discussed. A vote is taken as to the step to be recommended to the Cardinals. Then the book together with the first report, the notes of other consultors, and the vote arrived at in the preliminary Monday session goes to the Cardinals, who in the Wednesday session will give their final verdict. Lastly, the matter is laid before the Pope for his sanction.
Nobody will deny that this is an excellent method. A book is examined at least three times, before a verdict is reached, and a large number of picked scholars participate in the proceedings, each of whom has taken an oath never to allow himself to be swayed by sympathy or antipathy, and to have nothing in view but the welfare of souls.
It has been customary to give the verdict in one of these four technical phrases: Damnetur, "condemned"; dimittatur, "dismissed"; donec corrigatur, "forbidden until amended"; res dilata, "the case is postponed." The verdict donec corrigatur can of course be given only when a book admits of correction. If it is thoroughly bad (if written for instance for the sole purpose of eulogizing Freemasonry or maligning Catholic bishops), a donec corrigatur would have no meaning.
If the author is a Catholic, he must be informed before the decree is published. If but a few copies of the book have been sold, and the author promises either to suppress it, or to issue an amended edition, if possible, the decree is not published. But even when this cannot be prevented, e. g. when a whole edition is already in circulation, credit is given to the author in the decree itself for declaring his submission, by adding the words: auctor laudabiliter se subjecit, "the author has praiseworthily submitted."
Great care is taken to have all books examined by men who are not only well versed in the subject matter, but who also understand thoroughly the language in which they happen to be written. Nor does the Congregation in important cases confine itself to its regular consultors; whenever it seems advisable, the services of other competent critics are enlisted.
All the members of the Congregation are bound by oath to keep absolute secrecy with regard to every detail of the official transactions, no matter whether a book under discussion is finally condemned or not. By this means each feels more free in giving his opinion, and the reputation of the author is spared as long and as much as possible.