r hand, his private prayers are not fruitful, according to
Prov. 28:9: "He that turneth away his ears from hearing the law, his
prayer shall be an abomination."

Reply Obj. 1: Gregory is speaking there of the holiness of the Divine
sacrament.

Reply Obj. 2: In the sacrament of Baptism solemn prayers are not made
for all the faithful, as in the mass; therefore there is no parallel
in this respect. There is, however, a resemblance as to the effect of
the sacrament.

Reply Obj. 3: By reason of the power of the Holy Ghost, Who
communicates to each one the blessings of Christ's members on account
of their being united in charity, the private blessing in the mass of
a good priest is fruitful to others. But the private evil of one man
cannot hurt another, except the latter, in some way, consent, as
Augustine says (Contra Parmen. ii).
_______________________

SEVENTH ARTICLE [III, Q. 82, Art. 7]

Whether Heretics, Schismatics, and Excommunicated Persons Can
Consecrate?

Objection 1: It seems that heretics, schismatics, and excommunicated
persons are not able to consecrate the Eucharist. For Augustine says
(Liber sentent. Prosperi xv) that "there is no such thing as a true
sacrifice outside the Catholic Church": and Pope Leo I says (Ep.
lxxx; cf. Decretal i, q. 1): Elsewhere "(i.e. than in the Church
which is Christ's body) there is neither valid priesthood nor true
sacrifice." But heretics, schismatics, and excommunicated persons are
severed from the Church. Therefore they are unable to offer a true
sacrifice.

Obj. 2: Further (Decretal, caus. i, q. 1), Innocent I is quoted as
saying: "Because we receive the laity of the Arians and other
pestilential persons, if they seem to repent, it does not follow that
their clergy have the dignity of the priesthood or of any other
ministerial office, for we allow them to confer nothing save
Baptism." But none can consecrate the Eucharist, unless he have the
dignity of the priesthood. Therefore heretics and the like cannot
consecrate the Eucharist.

Obj. 3: Further, it does not seem feasible for one outside the Church
to act on behalf of the Church. But when the priest consecrates the
Eucharist, he does so in the person of the entire Church, as is
evident from the fact of his putting up all prayers in the person of
the Church. Therefore, it seems that those who are outside the
Church, such as those who are heretics, schismatics, and
excommunicate, are not able to consecrate the