The Church and Usury (Rev.P.Cleary)

…’ It appears , that in Old Testament, usury was universally prohibited between Israelite and Israelite, whilst it was permitted between Israelite And Gentile.’ …’ The Roman philosophers might abuse usury to their heart’s content, yet usury was largely and openly practiced not only by bankers and publicans, but by soldiers, politicians and philosophers.’ …’Edward the Confessor drew his inspiration not from English (where usury was forbidden) but from French tradition, for “The Laws” tell us that “the king used to say, what he heard at the French King’s Court, was that usury is the root of all vices”.’ St. Thomas: …‘ Human laws allow many sins to go unpunished, because of the conditions of mankind, who would forfeit many utilities if all sins were severely punished, and so the civil law permits the practice of usury, not because it is in accordance with the principles of justice, but because it is useful to many.’