Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur

[ishii]

Hello, first off, I don’t know for sure which forum to post this in, but here goes:

I received a book about Catholicism which doesn’t seem to have a nihil obstat or imprimatur in it. Are there any rules/requirements governing the publishing of books written for Catholics, by Catholic authors, etc.? The title is “rediscovering Catholicism” by Matthew Kelly. If it doesn’t have a nihil obstat is it still suitable for reading? Please advise.

Ishii

 

[Erin_Anne]

Personally… I would take any book that hasn’t been granted Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur with a grain of salt. They ensure the reader that the literature has been reviewed by a Censor & Bishop and is free from doctrinal and/or moral error.

It doesn’t mean you can’t read a book that lacks them, but do so objectively, knowing that it could potentially be flawed.

 

[DavidFilmer]

I received a book about Catholicism which doesn’t seem to have a nihil obstat or imprimatur in it. Are there any rules/requirements governing the publishing of books written for Catholics, by Catholic authors, etc.?

No, none. This was once a requirement, but it has been abolished. Now, these endorsements are optional. Many authors and publishing houses don’t bother. Those that do seem to have a strong apologetical alignment (I suppose in order to reinforce the underlying authority of what the book says - Catholic apologetics is NOTHING without the underlying Authority of the Catholic Church).

I grabbed a copy of “Edith Stein - Life in a Jewish Family” (Volume 1 of the Collected Works of Edith Stein), which was written by Edith Stein herself (AKA, St. Theresa Benedicta) and translated (from German to English) in 1986. This book is published by ICS publications, a Carmelite publishing house. This book was written by a Saint of the Church, and published by an ancient and respected Religious Order. but it bears neither nihil obstat nor imprimatur. Is it OK to read? Duh!

I would not place much significance on the lack of these endorsements today, especially in works which are not overtly apologetical (though one could easily claim this particular work falls in that category). This book has been well-reviewed on Amazon. I would give it a try. If you don’t want to read it, send me a PM - I would like to read it if you would be willing to send it (I’ll reimburse postage).

 

[puzzleannie]

Personally… I would take any book that hasn’t been granted Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur with a grain of salt. They ensure the reader that the literature has been reviewed by a Censor & Bishop and is free from doctrinal and/or moral error.

It doesn’t mean you can’t read a book that lacks them, but do so objectively, knowing that it could potentially be flawed.

that applies only to books that purport to give authorotative Catholic teaching on theology or morality, to books used to instruct and catechise specifically, not to general reference or devotional works.

 

[thistle]

Personally… I would take any book that hasn’t been granted Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur with a grain of salt. They ensure the reader that the literature has been reviewed by a Censor & Bishop and is free from doctrinal and/or moral error.

It doesn’t mean you can’t read a book that lacks them, but do so objectively, knowing that it could potentially be flawed.

That’s silly. Using your logic nobody should read the books of Bishop Fulton Sheen, for example.

 

[Holly3278]

The book in question is thoroughly orthodox. I own the book and have read a good portion of it. Believe me, you can trust Matthew Kelly. His book may not have an imprimatur or a nihil obstat in it but that does not mean that it contains error.

 

[Joe_5859]

Yes, the Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur are nice to have, but not necessary.

There are many reasons it might not have these. Sometimes the book went to print before it was given, so the book actually does have them even though it’s not printed in the book. Sometimes, certain publishers would rather not display this information as it might put off part of their target audience. Or sometimes the work simply doesn’t qualify as one that would be reviewed by the Censor Librorum.

Matthew Kelly’s “Rediscovering Catholicism” does not contain anything objectionable so far as I can tell. It is the book that CatholicsComeHome.org uses as a freebie for those who are interested in coming back to the Catholic Church. I think it’s a safe read.

In any event, don’t sell short your ability to notice objectionable material.

 

[Erin_Anne]

that applies only to books that purport to give authorotative Catholic teaching on theology or morality, to books used to instruct and catechise specifically, not to general reference or devotional works.

Right - if that’s the kind of book it is, especially anything regarding private revelations. I’m not familiar with the author/book the OP mentioned.

 

[Erin_Anne]

That’s silly. Using your logic nobody should read the books of Bishop Fulton Sheen, for example.

I never said they shouldn’t do anything. Notice I started the post off with the term “Personally”.

What I said was to be aware that the literature could contain doctrinal flaws – being that it hadn’t been reviewed.

 

[DavidFilmer]

That’s silly. Using your logic nobody should read the books of Bishop Fulton Sheen, for example.

FWIW, I’m not sure that’s a very good example. Although he died in 1979, I don’t know of any books that Sheen authored in the post-V2 era (please correct me if I’m wrong).

His Life of Christ (1958) has the Nihil Obstat (by John Goodwine) and Imprimatur (by Francis Cardinal Spellman, Archbishop of New York).

 

[thistle]

FWIW, I’m not sure that’s a very good example. Although he died in 1979, I don’t know of any books that Sheen authored in the post-V2 era (please correct me if I’m wrong).

His Life of Christ (1958) has the Nihil Obstat (by John Goodwine) and Imprimatur (by Francis Cardinal Spellman, Archbishop of New York).

Okay let me use post V-2 examples.
The books of Peter Kreeft and Father Benedict Groeschel.

 

[Joe_5859]

Okay let me use post V-2 examples.
The books of Peter Kreeft and Father Benedict Groeschel.

That’s right. I don’t know that any of Kreeft’s books have the Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur. But they are definitely consistent with Catholic teaching. (And everyone should read them! )

Personally, I find it more useful to look at the author and the publisher than to check for a Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur.

 

[thistle]

That’s right. I don’t know that any of Kreeft’s books have the Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur. But they are definitely consistent with Catholic teaching. (And everyone should read them! )

Personally, I find it more useful to look at the author and the publisher than to check for a Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur.

 

[DavidFilmer]

Okay let me use post V-2 examples.
The books of Peter Kreeft and Father Benedict Groeschel.

I am ashamed to admit that I don’t have as may volumes of these fine authors in my library as I should.

But I have Kreeft’s Catholic Christianity, which bears the Nihil obstat of Rev. Miltion T. Walsh, S.T.D., and the Imprimatur of Archbishop William Levada of San Fransisco (formerly of my own Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon).

And I have Fr. Groschel’s “Stumbling Blocks,” which bears the Nihil obstat of Thomas O’Hagan and the Imprimatur of Joesph T. O’Keefe. And I have his “After This Life,” which bears the Nihil obstat of Fr. Michael Heintz, and the Imprimatur of Bishop John M. D’Arcy

I find myself somewhat arguing against my own reply that these endorsements don’t really matter, yet I find them in significant places.

Oh, I just found “Socarates Meets Jesus” by Kreeft, which has no endorsements.

 

[thistle]

I am ashamed to admit that I don’t have as may volumes of these fine authors in my library as I should.

But I have Kreeft’s Catholic Christianity, which bears the Nihil obstat of Rev. Miltion T. Walsh, S.T.D., and the Imprimatur of Archbishop William Levada of San Fransisco (formerly of my own Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon).

And I have Fr. Groschel’s “Stumbling Blocks,” which bears the Nihil obstat of Thomas O’Hagan and the Imprimatur of Joesph T. O’Keefe. And I have his “After This Life,” which bears the Nihil obstat of Fr. Michael Heintz, and the Imprimatur of Bishop John M. D’Arcy

I find myself somewhat arguing against my own reply that these endorsements don’t really matter, yet I find them in significant places.

Oh, I just found “Socarates Meets Jesus” by Kreeft, which has no endorsements.

Puzzleannie has it correct in post #4 when she says it depends on the type of book.

I just grabbed a couple of books from the shelf from the above authors which do not bear any endorsements:

Arise From Darkness by Father Groeschel
The Rosary: Chain of Hope by Father Groeschel
Making Sense Out of Suffering by Peter Kreeft
Prayer: The Great Conversation by Peter kreeft.

Another good Catholic author is Eugene Kennedy (Pain of Being Human, among many other books) and his books also do not bear the endorsements.

 

[DavidFilmer]

Puzzleannie has it correct in post #4 when she says it depends on the type of book.

Yes, I believe I made the same point in post #3.

I suppose I have an overly-apologetical library. I really should acquire some of the more spiritually oriented works by these (and other) fine authors.

However, in regards to the OP’s question, I would perhaps modify my original reply (in which I said it does not matter). The book he asks about is doctrinal and apologetical in nature (it is directed towards fallen-away Catholics (or those unsure about their faith and considering leaving the Church - ahem, that’s an apologetical book). Authors such as Kreeft and Groschel (or anybody writing under the auspices of Catholic Answers) obtain endorsements for doctrinal or apologetical publications. Why did this author not do the same?

But my offer to accept the book from the OP (and reimburse postage) still stands. I am interested in reading the book, and I would be happy to offer a critical review in this forum.

 

[CB_Catholic]

Jesus of Nazareth by Benedict XVI has neither, but I would assume it’s safe to read.

 

[Ron_Conte]

The Dutch Catechism, published post Vatican II, received the imprimatur and was commissioned by a group of Bishops. But the English translation was denied the imprimatur; this denial was not due to translation issues, but serious doctrinal problems. Some books that receive the imprimatur are not free from moral and doctrinal errors.