17: SACRED IMAGES OR PICTURES
According to the decree of the Council of Trent and the Provincial constitutions,{1} the bishop must
take great care that the sacred images are piously and religiously depicted. Moreover a heavy
punishment or fine for painters and sculptors who depart from the prescribed rules in the
representations mentioned above has been provided for.
A sanction has also been provided for the ecclesiastical rectors who allow an unusual image to be
depicted or placed in their church, contrary to the rules prescribed by the Tridentine decree.(2)
What is to be avoided and what is to be observed in the sacred images
First of all no sacred image containing a false dogma or that offers the uneducated an occasion for
dangerous error, or that is at variance with the Sacred Scriptures or Church tradition, is to be
depicted in the church or elsewhere. Conversely, the image must conform to the truths of the
Scriptures, the traditions, ecclesiastical histories, customs and usages of the Mother Church.(3)
Moreover in painting or sculpting sacred images, just as nothing false, uncertain or apocryphal,
superstitious, or unusual is to be depicted, so whatever is profane, base or obscene, dishonest or
provocative will be strictly avoided. Likewise all that is outlandish, which does not incite men to piety,
or which can offend the soul and eyes of the faithful is forbidden.
Furthermore, although attempts must be made to seek as accurate as possible a semblance of the
saint, care will be taken not to purposefully reproduce the likeness of another person, living or dead.
Images of beasts of burden, dogs, fish and other brute animals are not to be shown in the church or
other holy places, unless the depiction of the holy story, in accordance with the custom of the
Mother Church, specifically requires it.{4}
The dignity of sacred images
The representation of the sacred images will correspond in all things to the dignity and holiness of
the prototypes, fittingly and decorously, in the appearance, position and adornment of the person.
Distinguishing characteristics of the saints
Those things that for their meaning as something sacred are painted on or attached to the images of
the saints, must conform, in an adequate and decorous manner, to what is specified by the church.
Examples are the nimbus or crown, similar to a round shield, placed around the heads of the saints,
palms held by martyrs, the miter and crosier which are given to Bishops, and other like things, as well
as the distinctive attribute of each saint.
Moreover, care must be taken that the representation corresponds to historical truth, to church
practice, to the criteria prescribed by the Fathers.
Care must be taken that the nimbus of Christ the Lord is distinguished from those of the saints by a
cross. Finally care must be taken not to attribute the nimbus to anyone who has not been canonized
by the Church.
Locations unsuitable for sacred pictures
No holy image is to be depicted on the ground, not even in the Church, nor in humid places, where
with time the painting would be ruined and deteriorate; neither under windows, from which rain
water could drip, nor in the proximity of points where nails [ubi clavialiquando figendi sunt Latin,
According to the decree of the Council of Trent and the Provincial constitutions,{1} the bishop must
take great care that the sacred images are piously and religiously depicted. Moreover a heavy
punishment or fine for painters and sculptors who depart from the prescribed rules in the
representations mentioned above has been provided for.
A sanction has also been provided for the ecclesiastical rectors who allow an unusual image to be
depicted or placed in their church, contrary to the rules prescribed by the Tridentine decree.(2)
What is to be avoided and what is to be observed in the sacred images
First of all no sacred image containing a false dogma or that offers the uneducated an occasion for
dangerous error, or that is at variance with the Sacred Scriptures or Church tradition, is to be
depicted in the church or elsewhere. Conversely, the image must conform to the truths of the
Scriptures, the traditions, ecclesiastical histories, customs and usages of the Mother Church.(3)
Moreover in painting or sculpting sacred images, just as nothing false, uncertain or apocryphal,
superstitious, or unusual is to be depicted, so whatever is profane, base or obscene, dishonest or
provocative will be strictly avoided. Likewise all that is outlandish, which does not incite men to piety,
or which can offend the soul and eyes of the faithful is forbidden.
Furthermore, although attempts must be made to seek as accurate as possible a semblance of the
saint, care will be taken not to purposefully reproduce the likeness of another person, living or dead.
Images of beasts of burden, dogs, fish and other brute animals are not to be shown in the church or
other holy places, unless the depiction of the holy story, in accordance with the custom of the
Mother Church, specifically requires it.{4}
The dignity of sacred images
The representation of the sacred images will correspond in all things to the dignity and holiness of
the prototypes, fittingly and decorously, in the appearance, position and adornment of the person.
Distinguishing characteristics of the saints
Those things that for their meaning as something sacred are painted on or attached to the images of
the saints, must conform, in an adequate and decorous manner, to what is specified by the church.
Examples are the nimbus or crown, similar to a round shield, placed around the heads of the saints,
palms held by martyrs, the miter and crosier which are given to Bishops, and other like things, as well
as the distinctive attribute of each saint.
Moreover, care must be taken that the representation corresponds to historical truth, to church
practice, to the criteria prescribed by the Fathers.
Care must be taken that the nimbus of Christ the Lord is distinguished from those of the saints by a
cross. Finally care must be taken not to attribute the nimbus to anyone who has not been canonized
by the Church.
Locations unsuitable for sacred pictures
No holy image is to be depicted on the ground, not even in the Church, nor in humid places, where
with time the painting would be ruined and deteriorate; neither under windows, from which rain
water could drip, nor in the proximity of points where nails [ubi clavialiquando figendi sunt Latin,
