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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DUE

A debt; the object of justice. It is the objective right to service payable to another; the legal "debitum." Theologically the due is the good of a nature; something needed by a created nature, and sufficient for this nature either in its constitution, powers, destiny or in its means to attain its purpose of existence. In this sense, what is due is contrasted with the gratuitous character of the supernatural. thus nature is said to be due to man, grace is freely conferred by God.