Did St. Thomas Aquinas rate masturbation as a greater sin than rape?

St. Thomas Aquinas said: > **Objection 1.** It would seem that the unnatural vice is not the greatest sin among the species of lust. For the more a sin is contrary > to charity the graver it is. Now adultery, seduction and rape which > are injurious to our neighbor are seemingly more contrary to the love > of our neighbor, than unnatural sins, by which no other person is > injured. Therefore the unnatural sin is not the greatest among the > species of lust. > > On the contrary, Augustine says that "of all these", namely the sins > belonging to lust, "that which is against nature is the worst". > > I answer that, In every genus, worst of all is the corruption of the > principle on which the rest depend. Now the principles of reason are > those things that are according to nature, because reason presupposes > things as determined by nature, before disposing of other things > according as it is fitting. This may be observed both in speculative > and in practical matters. Wherefore just as in speculative matters the > most grievous and shameful error is that which is about things the > knowledge of which is naturally bestowed on man, so in matters of > action it is most grave and shameful to act against things as > determined by nature. Therefore, since by the unnatural vices man > transgresses that which has been determined by nature with regard to > the use of venereal actions, it follows that in this matter this sin > is gravest of all. After it comes incest, which, as stated above, is > contrary to the natural respect which we owe persons related to us. > > With regard to the other species of lust they imply a transgression > merely of that which is determined by right reason, on the > presupposition, however, of natural principles. Now it is more against > reason to make use of the venereal act not only with prejudice to the > future offspring, but also so as to injure another person besides. > Wherefore simple fornication, which is committed without injustice to > another person, is the least grave among the species of lust. Then, it > is a greater injustice to have intercourse with a woman who is subject > to another's authority as regards the act of generation, than as > regards merely her guardianship. Wherefore adultery is more grievous > than seduction. And both of these are aggravated by the use of > violence. Hence rape of a virgin is graver than seduction, and rape of > a wife than adultery. And all these are aggravated by coming under the > head of sacrilege, as stated above. > > **Reply to Objection 1.** Just as the ordering of right reason proceeds from man, so the order of nature is from God Himself: > wherefore in sins contrary to nature, whereby the very order of nature > is violated, an injury is done to God, the Author of nature.