part of the
Index, the official
list of books that
Roman Catholics are not allowed to
read. The
Index includes both the
Index Librorum Prohibitorum and the Index Expurgatorius. The former contains a
list of such books as are absolutely forbidden to be
read by faithful Catholics. The latter contains such books as are forbidden until certain parts are omitted or amended. Last published in 1948, the
Index was declared inoperative by
Roman Catholic church officials in 1966.
—5th ACC Vol 2 Glossary (Final Approval 7/12/89), Concise Columbia Encyclopedia and Reader's Encyclopedia