Distinguished relics, and others which are held in great veneration by the people, may not validly be in any way alienated nor transferred on a permanent basis, without the permission of the Apostolic See."
“one is allowed to buy them if they are privately sold when buying them would save the Relics from desecration. This must be done only if the good that comes from buying the relic outweighs other uses the money spent could be used for.”
The above is from the internet – the only references I could find from Canon Law and an often quoted statement about buying relics but I never found the source – I am sure it is an opinion.
I have never seen a clear guideline regarding buying “redeeming” a relic other than distinguished relics and those held in great veneration.
Canon 1171 and 1190 seem fairly clear that selling a relic would be sinful but I see no implication on the buying of a relic for veneration , redemption or preservation. Buying a relic (not third class) for a profane purpose ie. as an investment, a collection or for resale would be sinful.
Some people have their own opinions as to what the Code of Canon Law means. Opinions do not make sins for other people. If in your opinion it is a sin (causing a separation with you and God) to do something and you willfully do so you are sinning because you chose to do something you thought was against God’s law either by a commandment or by His duly appointed authorities on earth. You are not sinning in doing the specific act if it is not a violation of law. Ie. If you take a loaf of bread from a table thinking you are stealing and violating a commandment but you didn’t see the sign on the other side that said “FREE” You are not stealing but you are sinning by the willful act against God.
If you feel it is a mortal sin to buy a relic for any purpose then you are sinning if you buy one because you are willfully acting against God not because you are buying the relic. The sin is for the willful act only.
The second unknown source reference ie. “outweighs other uses the money spent could be used for” is a matter of interpretation and individual circumstances and conscience.
Could a $300 dollar relic purchase feed 300 African children for two or more days? YES indeed. A simple answer??? NO – Could you have bought a cheap black and white TV instead of your big screen LCD and given several hundred to feed the poor children. Could you have bought a very functional but much cheaper car and given several thousand to the poor children? Could you have bought a house for tens of thousands less and fed thousands of poor children?
I think the above questions and many more possible questions illustrate that the $300 relic may mean different sacrifices and decisions for many people of different circumstances.
Those who say you could have used the money for better purposes have a point but could the value of prayers and veneration by many people be given a monetary equivalent value.
Are we willing to forgo our many luxuries knowing that the money could feed a multitude? The money we spend on pet food alone could feed millions – are we ready to give up our pets – some may question if it is morally right to spend any money unnecessarily?
“The poor will be with us always” - should we strive to make all poor equal to all others so that there are no poor?
I think the issue of redeeming relics needs to be placed in context with too many things to make authoritative statements or opinions. I cannot find anything that says it is sinful. You may see opinions expressed by many people on the matter but they have no authority. The authoritative word on the matter at least of buying relics would be from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints – I have read nothing from them that the personal possession of relics by individuals is sinful or any prohibition to redeeming them from the profane market for veneration.
My personal views as stated above carry no authority and bind no one but myself and are subject to change if I find an authoritative Church source contradicting my views. I do redeem relics from ebay for public presentations with veneration. I have pets and I have a big TV etc. I am not suggesting that these are sinful or that I have no luxuries.
