General Information on Catholic Moral Theology

[Truthstalker]

I’m spent enough time in Apologetics to know Ludwig Ott is a good source for doctrine, and there is the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Is there a parallel document for moral theology? I frequently hear the phrase “faith and morals” here, so I am wondering if they are regarded as identical or parallel or overlapping or what…In your catechesis do you spend time on moral theology as a separate subject? How do you decide questions regarding moral action - I mean, to what do you refer in deciding what is right?

 

[thistle]

I’m spent enough time in Apologetics to know Ludwig Ott is a good source for doctrine, and there is the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Is there a parallel document for moral theology? I frequently hear the phrase “faith and morals” here, so I am wondering if they are regarded as identical or parallel or overlapping or what…In your catechesis do you spend time on moral theology as a separate subject? How do you decide questions regarding moral action - I mean, to what do you refer in deciding what is right?

The 10 Commandments cover faith and morals and the Church teachings are in the CCC.

 

[NovusAugustus]

The Catechism covers all those things ( both the “Catechism of the Catholic Church” promulgated by John Paul II and the official Catechisms of various countries like the USA). It is laid out as a statement of all the things the Church (1)Believes, (2) Celebrates, (3) Strives for (morals), and (4) Prays for.

Part 1 is based around the Apostle’s Creed, which most Christians, even Protestants, agree with.

Part 2 is an overview of the various sacraments and liturgies of the Church.

Part 3 is probably what you are looking for. It states the various sins the faithful are to avoid and the corresponding virtues we are to strive for. It is based on the Beatitudes and the related virtues and deadly sins.

Part 4 is an explanation on why and how to pray and it advises us on what we should pray for based on Jesus’s personal prayer, the Our Father.

Here’s a link to it:
vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM
Also on Amazon:
amazon.com/Catechism-Catholic-Church-Second-U-S/dp/0385508190/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357263164&sr=1-1&keywords=catechism+of+the+catholic+church

Hope this is what you need.

 

[Bookcat]

In addition to the CCC there are various good sources…

A more recent one (mid 90’s) “living the truth in love” by Benedict Ashley OP

 

[Truthstalker]

Thanks.

I’m thinking that all the “Should Catholics…” threads in Apologetics really belong in Moral Theology, and all the “What Does the Church Teach” threads should be over in Apologetics.

Not that it actually bothers me. More, I’m thinking about this moral theology thing as something I have not really explored.

 

[Hunho]

I frequently hear the phrase “faith and morals” here, so I am wondering if they are regarded as identical or parallel or overlapping or what…

“Faith” refers to what Catholics believe, that is, to the facts of the Catholic religion. These are the facts revealed and contained in the Bible and the Magisterium of the Church. “Morals” refers to what Catholics do, to the choices and actons that make up our lives. The phrase “faith and morals” encompases the whole of our lives; what we believe is the source of what we do in our lives.

I’m spent enough time in Apologetics to know Ludwig Ott is a good source for doctrine, and there is the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Is there a parallel document for moral theology?

The closest thing I am aware of is the Pontifical Biblical Commission’s The Bible and Morality printed in English in 2010 by Libreria Editrice Vaticana (the Vatican Publishing House) and available here at the Vatican’s website.

. . . In your catechesis do you spend time on moral theology as a separate subject? How do you decide questions regarding moral action - I mean, to what do you refer in deciding what is right?

Part Three of the Catechism of the Catholic Church is devoted to “Life in Christ” which considers “Man’s Vocation: Life in the Spirit.” Basically the section deals with human life in terms of freedom and responsibility, both as an individual and as a part of a community. Part Three also deals with the Ten Commandments, especially as they are to be lived in the light of Jesus’s life and teachings.
Part Four is dedicated to prayer which, like morality, is an essential part of living a Christian life.

 

[Truthstalker]

“Faith” refers to what Catholics believe, that is, to the facts of the Catholic religion. These are the facts revealed and contained in the Bible and the Magisterium of the Church. “Morals” refers to what Catholics do, to the choices and actons that make up our lives. The phrase “faith and morals” encompases the whole of our lives; what we believe is the source of what we do in our lives.

The closest thing I am aware of is the Pontifical Biblical Commission’s The Bible and Morality printed in English in 2010 by Libreria Editrice Vaticana (the Vatican Publishing House) and available here at the Vatican’s website.

Part Three of the Catechism of the Catholic Church is devoted to “Life in Christ” which considers “Man’s Vocation: Life in the Spirit.” Basically the section deals with human life in terms of freedom and responsibility, both as an individual and as a part of a community. Part Three also deals with the Ten Commandments, especially as they are to be lived in the light of Jesus’s life and teachings.
Part Four is dedicated to prayer which, like morality, is an essential part of living a Christian life.

Thank you.