Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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EXCUSE

A legitimate reason that exempts a person from the observance of a law in a given instance. It corresponds to epikeia, by which one decides whether there are legitimate grounds for exemption. It may also be an alleged reason that someone adduces for not wanting to observe a law that is actually binding in the given situation. It is finally any mitigating circumstance that lessens responsibility for human acts, such as ignorance or psychological pressure.