CATHOLIC WORD BOOK - Knights of Columbus, Supreme Council

Contraception: Anything done by positive
interference to prevent sexual intercourse
from resulting in conception. Direct
contraception is against the order of
nature. Indirect contraception — as a
secondary effect of medical treatment or
other action having a necessary, good, non
contraceptive purpose — is permissible
under the principle of the double effect.
The practice of periodic continence is not
contraception because it does not involve
positive interference with the order of
nature. (See Humanae Vitae, other entries.)
Contrition: Sorrow for sin coupled with a
purpose of amendment. Contrition arising
from a supernatural motive is necessary for
the forgiveness of sin. (1) Perfect contrition
is total sorrow for and renunciation of
attachment to sin, arising from the motive
of pure love of God. Perfect contrition,
which implies the intention of doing all
God wants done for the forgiveness of sin
(including confession in a reasonable
period of time), is sufficient for the
forgiveness of serious sin and the remission
of all temporal punishment due for sin.
(The intention to receive the sacrament of
penance is implicit — even if unrealized,
as in the case of some persons — in perfect
contrition.) (2) Imperfect contrition or
attrition is sorrow arising from a quasi
selfish supernatural motive; e.g., the fear of
losing heaven, suffering the pains of hell,
etc. Imperfect contrition is sufficient for
the forgiveness of serious sin when joined
with absolution in confession, and
sufficient for the forgiveness of venial sin
even outside of confession.
Contumely: Personal insult, reviling a
person in his presence by accusation of
moral faults, by refusal of recognition or
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due respect; a violation of obligations of
justice and charity.
Conversion: In a general sense, the turning
away from someone or something and the
moving toward another person or thing. In
Christian belief, conversion is the embrace
of Jesus Christ and a rejection of all that
keeps one from God.
Corpus Iuris Canonici: See Canon Law.
Council: A formal meeting of Church
leaders, summoned by a bishop or
appropriate Church leader, with the
general purpose of assisting the life of the
Church through deliberations, decrees,
and promulgations. Different councils
include: diocesan councils (synod), a
gathering of the officials of an individual
diocese; provincial councils, the meeting
of the bishops of a province; plenary
councils, the assembly of the bishops of a
country; and ecumenical councils, a
gathering of all the bishops in the world
under the authority of the Bishop of
Rome.
Counsels, Evangelical: Gospel counsels of
perfection, especially voluntary poverty,
perfect chastity and obedience, which
were recommended by Christ to those
who would devote themselves exclusively
and completely to the immediate service
of God. Religious (members of institutes
of consecrated life) bind themselves by
public vows to observe these counsels in a
life of total consecration to God and
service to people through various kinds of
apostolic works.
Counter-Reformation: The period of
approximately 100 years following the