Canon 827 clarification

[tlongdon]

Is Canon 827 telling me that any book/text used to teach adult (RCIA) classes must have the Nihil Obistat or it can’t be used for catechesis?

Can. 827 §1. To be published, catechisms and other writings pertaining to catechetical instruction or their translations require the approval of the local ordinary, without prejudice to the prescript of ⇒ can. 775, §2.
§2. Books which regard questions pertaining to sacred scripture, theology, canon law, ecclesiastical history, and religious or moral disciplines cannot be used as texts on which instruction is based in elementary, middle, or higher schools unless they have been published with the approval of competent ecclesiastical authority or have been approved by it subsequently.
§3. It is recommended that books dealing with the matters mentioned in §2, although not used as texts in instruction, as well as writings which especially concern religion or good morals are submitted to the judgment of the local ordinary.
§4. Books or other writings dealing with questions of religion or morals cannot be exhibited, sold, or distributed in churches or oratories unless they have been published with the permission of competent ecclesiastical authority or approved by it subsequently.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Is Canon 827 telling me that any book/text used to teach adult (RCIA) classes must have the Nihil Obistat or it can’t be used for catechesis?

Can. 827 §1. To be published, catechisms and other writings pertaining to catechetical instruction or their translations require the approval of the local ordinary, without prejudice to the prescript of ⇒ can. 775, §2.
§2. Books which regard questions pertaining to sacred scripture, theology, canon law, ecclesiastical history, and religious or moral disciplines cannot be used as texts on which instruction is based in elementary, middle, or higher schools unless they have been published with the approval of competent ecclesiastical authority or have been approved by it subsequently.
§3. It is recommended that books dealing with the matters mentioned in §2, although not used as texts in instruction, as well as writings which especially concern religion or good morals are submitted to the judgment of the local ordinary.
§4. Books or other writings dealing with questions of religion or morals cannot be exhibited, sold, or distributed in churches or oratories unless they have been published with the permission of competent ecclesiastical authority or approved by it subsequently.

That is correct. The primary Catechetical text used for RCIA must have Chruch approval as a Catechetical text or it cannot be used.

 

[tlongdon]

Thank you for the reply, that is the way I read it but am having some resistance with others wanting to use “Christ Among Us” by Wilhelm.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Thank you for the reply, that is the way I read it but am having some resistance with others wanting to use “Christ Among Us” by Wilhelm.

“Christ Among Us” even the new edition should not be used for Catechesis, I don’t recomend it at all even for private use.

 

[puzzleannie]

there are a couple of recent threads on this book detailing its problems, including link to source that claims imprimatur was withdrawn (a rare thing, evidently) because of egregious error. the worst I remember was the moral decision making section, and urging parishes to be open and affirmgin of GL lifestyles among other things.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

there are a couple of recent threads on this book detailing its problems, including link to source that claims imprimatur was withdrawn (a rare thing, evidently) because of egregious error. the worst I remember was the moral decision making section, and urging parishes to be open and affirmgin of GL lifestyles among other things.

The revoking happened with the original edition. The current one does not have one.

 

[tlongdon]

“Christ Among Us” even the new edition should not be used for Catechesis, I don’t recomend it at all even for private use.

This brings up another question. What about the Catholic Updates that are part of the “Come and See” RCIA program, do the updates themselves comply with Canon 827?

Many of them just say “Published with ecclesiastical approval” and many have no markings what so ever.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

This brings up another question. What about the Catholic Updates that are part of the “Come and See” RCIA program, do the updates themselves comply with Canon 827?

Many of them just say “Published with ecclesiastical approval” and many have no markings what so ever.

Those 4 words at the bottom carry some weight. But the Nihil Obistat and Impri are all not that trustworthy any longer. Many books that carry them are still in my opinion very iffy.

 

[tlongdon]

Those 4 words at the bottom carry some weight. But the Nihil Obistat and Impri are all not that trustworthy any longer. Many books that carry them are still in my opinion very iffy.

Thank you kind sir for the information!!