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Objection 1: It would seem that spiritual relationship does not pass
to the godfather's carnal children. For no degrees are assigned to
spiritual relationship. Yet there would be degrees if it passed from
father to son, since the person begotten involves a change of degree,
as stated above (Question 55, Article 5). Therefore it does
not pass to the godfather's carnal sons.
Objection 2: Further, father and son are related in the same degree
as brother and brother. If therefore spiritual relationship passes
from father to son, it will equally pass from brother to brother: and
this is false.
On the contrary, This is proved by authority quoted in the text
(Sent. iv, D, 42).
I answer that, A son is something of his father and not conversely
(Ethic. viii, 12): wherefore spiritual relationship passes from
father to his carnal son and not conversely. Thus it is clear that
there are three spiritual relationships: one called spiritual
fatherhood between godfather and godchild; another called co-paternity
between the godparent and carnal parent of the same person; and the
third is called spiritual brotherhood, between godchild and the carnal
children of the same parent. Each of these hinders the contracting of
marriage and voids the contract.
Reply to Objection 1: The addition of a person by carnal generation
entails a degree with regard to a person connected by the same kind of
relationship, but not with regard to one connected by another kind of
relationship. Thus a son is connected with his father's wife in the
same degree as his father, but by another kind of relationship. Now
spiritual relationship differs in kind from carnal. Wherefore a godson
is not related to his godfather's carnal son in the same degree as the
latter's father is related to him, through whom the spiritual
relationship is contracted. Consequently it does not follow that
spiritual relationship admits of degrees.
Reply to Objection 2: A man is not part of his brother as a son is
of his father. But a wife is part of her husband, since she is made
one with him in body. Consequently the relationship does not pass from
brother to brother, whether the brother be born before or after
spiritual brotherhood.
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