Pope Julius III Against Blasphemers (1554)

In 1554 Pope Julius III published a constitution against people who blaspheme in Rome.  He laid down punishments that would be incurred for the sin, and he gave authority to the inquisitors to implement what he legislated. 

Pope Julius III, Constitution “In Multis Depravatis Moribus”, Feb. 1, 1554:

“There is nothing that wounds and pierces our mind more than the horrible and impious blasphemy of the divine name, intolerable to Christian ears. When we hear that the most sacred name of God and of Jesus Christ our Lord — a name which the things of heaven venerate above every name, the things of earth adore, and the things below tremble at, and which, because of its sublimity and majesty, ought not to be taken lightly by anyone — is everywhere torn by the voices of wicked and savage men, and is likewise rent, together with the name of his most holy Mother and of the venerable saints and friends of the supreme God himself, by detestable blasphemies and curses, it is little wonder if the scourges of divine wrath are not lifted from Christian peoples set in such great calamities, since, according to the saying of the Wise Man, the plague will not depart from the house of a man who swears much…

     2.  Those who blaspheme, namely God the Father almighty, or his only-begotten Son, our Lord and Redeemer Jesus Christ, or the Holy Spirit, whether particularly and expressly or generally and implicitly, by attributing to the Divine Majesty things that in no way befit it, or by removing what is proper to it, if convicted for the first time, shall, if rich, be compelled to pay forty gold scudi; if poor, they shall pay ten; and if they cannot pay these sums, they shall suffer the penalty in their persons.  For those convicted a second time, whether noble, rich, or poor, the pecuniary penalty shall be doubled in proportion to the first fine of this kind, and they shall moreover incur infamy and incapacity to obtain any benefices, ranks, dignities, and honors. For those of low condition who are convicted, the tongue shall be pierced. For nobles convicted a third time, whether rich or poor, the pecuniary penalty shall be tripled respectively, as above. Furthermore, they shall by the law itself be deprived of ecclesiastical benefices and of all offices whatsoever, of dignities, titles, magistracies, and honors; they shall be incapable of making or receiving a will; they shall be incapable of giving testimony; and they shall be publicly banished from the City for three years. For those of low condition, flogging or consignment to the galleys for three years shall be imposed, and they shall be exiled in perpetuity.

   3.   The same shall be observed against those who blaspheme the most blessed Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ himself, Mary ever Virgin.  4. Those who blaspheme the male or female saints of God shall be severely corrected, at the discretion of the lord judges, regard being had to the nature and gravity of the crime, together with the other circumstances that the law requires to be considered.”