Is there a list of books with the Imprimatur?

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I have been unable to find a definitive list of books which have the Church’s imprimatur. If anyone knows where to find such a list this would be really helpful to me, since many Catholic books seem to be published by non-Catholic (Protestant, Eastern Orthodox, and even secular) publishing houses, and even the Catholic publishers have stopped using them - Ignatius Press, for example, doesn’t have an imprimatur published on a single one of their books, yet I can’t imagine that all of their books have been denied canonical approval considering that they publish the English translations of the writings of the Holy Father.

Anyone know anything which could be helpful in this regard?
 
That would be an incredibly long list.

The only thing that “Imprimatur” means is “It may be printed.” It doesn’t mean that that grantor agrees with everything in the book, or even recommends it, much less that it’s some kind of “canonical approval.”

There was a time that Nihil obstat (“Nothing observed [objectionable]”) and Imprimatur were even given to textbooks used in Catholic schools.

According to current legislation, its use is much more restricted and need not always be sought.
 
With the volume of books in print today it would be next to impossible to draw up a definitive list from all around the world.

Not all books need an imprimatur. As far as I am aware study bibles need an imprimatur and books used in seminaries.

At one time the presence of an imprimatur and nihil obstat would guarantee orthodoxy but today the Imprimatur and NO are only as good as the bishop issuing them. If you are unusure whether or not a book is orthodox concentrate on orthodox publishing houses e.g. Ignatius Press,
 
Hello Yinekka,
I heard recently that you a read a book about grief which had an imprimatur and Nihil Obstat. Did you like the book? I think it was called Redeeming Grief.
The author felt it was important to get the NO and IMp. because of the nature of the book and the work involved therein.
Your comments would be appreciated.
Graceangel.
 
Okay, then is there a list of books which have been DENIED the Imprimatur - so I know which ones to avoid? I seem to have been reading an awfully lot of books written by priests lately with no imprimatur printed on the page, and I don’t know whether it’s because the books are heretical or because the publisher simply didn’t think it important to print that little paragraph on the page. (The latest one I read, by Fr. Robert Slesinski, was published by St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press associated with the Russian Orthodox Church, and which would not print an Imprimatur - but was this because Fr. Slesinski is a heretic or simply because he chose to publish his book with a schismatic printer?)

What I’m mostly trying to figure out is whether there is anything contrary to the Faith in the books by these lay theologians (who may not need the Imprimatur): Edward Ingram Watkin, Robert Charles Zaehner, and the book “The Sense of the Supernatural” by Jean Borella.
 
I don’t think the publisher necessarily has anything to do with the imprimatur and nihil obstat. Scott Hahn’s books are published by the secular Doubleday, but they still have them.

You will not find a list of books that have been denied these either.

Personally, I think people give more attention to the imprimatur than it warrants. Going for the imprimatur tacks on more time before a book can be published. Some places may not want to wait. Simply because a book does not have one doesn’t mean it’s heretical. And simply because it has one doesn’t mean it’s all rock solid, either.

If you’re looking for good book suggestions on a particular topic, you can always ask us here. We won’t steer you wrong. 😉
 
(The latest one I read, by Fr. Robert Slesinski, was published by St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press associated with the Russian Orthodox Church, and which would not print an Imprimatur - but was this because Fr. Slesinski is a heretic or simply because he chose to publish his book with a schismatic printer?)

**St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press is NOT Russian Orthodox, but Orthodox Church in America and is no more schismatic than any other publishing house.

Imprimi potest, Nihil obstat, and Imprimatur have ALWAYS been as good as those granting them–no more, no less. It never meant more than in the opionion of the grantors, there was nothing against faith or morals in the contents. (And I wonder how this could possibly be applied to the multiplication table or biological taxonomy.)

It is not unheard of that the Imprimatur has been withdrawn.**
 
There’s no mention at this link about who granted the Imprimatur–nor would I expect there to be.

But does it follow that the grantor of said Imprimatur actually AGREED with the erroneous propositions of Father Feeney?

I don’t think so.
 
There’s no mention at this link about who granted the Imprimatur–nor would I expect there to be.

But does it follow that the grantor of said Imprimatur actually AGREED with the erroneous propositions of Father Feeney?

I don’t think so.
LOL, ok, well I will save this issue for the other thread. Sorry, I have been listening to too much Vin Lewis lately 😃
 
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