Re: Official Catholic Moral Teachings

[yinandyang]

I had a question regarding the official Moral Teachings of the Catholic Church. There was a book that my priest mentioned to me about a year ago that he considered to be the best book out there on Catholic Moral and Social teaching. This was before I moved though, and unfortunately I can’t seem to remember the name of the book. I have a Catechism, of course, but this is another book. I’m trying to find out just what exactly we, as Catholics, have to believe in the realm of Morality and Social doctrine. I know that the Church is infallable on issues of both Faith and Morals, and the Faith of the Church I have been able to study at great length. However, I’ve always been somewhat confused on what constitutes the official Moral teaching though, and where the lines are drawn. I’m against abortion, homosexual marriage, and stem cell research, but there are other issues where it seems that I might not be in line with the Church’s teaching. If this is so I would like to study these Church teachings and know whether or not I have to reconsider my opinions due to these teachings being a part of the infallability of the Magesterium, or if there is room for different applications of such teachings in one’s beliefs.

I would greatly appreciate it if someone could either tell me the name of that book mentioned above (if there is such a book other than the Catechism that is considered the best place to turn to for official Catholic Moral and Social teaching) or a set of books that I might consider buying in order to gain a greater understanding of my obligations as a Catholic in this realm of Church doctrine. Also, any other sincere advice or comments would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your help.

YinandYang

 

[puzzleannie]

there are undoubtedly many textbooks for seminaries on moral theology, but one best “handbook” style books for the general reading is on contemporary moral issues, by Bishop Pell, from Ignatius press.

 

[Mel_Stones]

You probably already know this but I’ll throw it out there anyway - check any book you think is official and approved on the teachings, beliefs, etc of Catholicism for the “Imprimi potest” usually located on the same page as the copyright. It means it is approved by the Vatican.

Can you contact the priest in some way and ask him?

I know there are the Catholic Encyclopedia but I don’t know if those would help with moral issues.

 

[passus]

You probably already know this but I’ll throw it out there anyway - check any book you think is official and approved on the teachings, beliefs, etc of Catholicism for the “Imprimi potest” usually located on the same page as the copyright. It means it is approved by the Vatican.

*Imprimi potest *doesn’t mean that a book is approved by the Vatican. “The Vatican” doesn’t approve books for consonance with Church doctrine.

When a Catholic writes a book on faith, morals, theology, liturgy, books on prayer, editions of Sacred Scripture, etc., he will submit his manuscript to his diocese’s Censor. If the Censor finds no problem with it, he will give it his stamp, which reads “Nihil Obstat,” or “nothing stands in the way.” He then sends it to the Bishop for his review. If the Bishop finds nothing objectionable, he gives the book his “Imprimatur” which means, “let it be printed.”

 If the Catholic writing the book is a member of a religious order, the manuscript      is first sent to his religious superior before it is sent to the Censor and      Bishop. If the religious superior finds no impediment to publication, he      will give the book his stamp of "Imprimi Potest," which means "it can be      printed."

Also bear in mind that a seal of Imprimi potest, Nihil obstat, or Imprimatur is only as sure as the knowledge of the person who grants it.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I had a question regarding the official Moral Teachings of the Catholic Church. There was a book that my priest mentioned to me about a year ago that he considered to be the best book out there on Catholic Moral and Social teaching. This was before I moved though, and unfortunately I can’t seem to remember the name of the book. I have a Catechism, of course, but this is another book. I’m trying to find out just what exactly we, as Catholics, have to believe in the realm of Morality and Social doctrine. I know that the Church is infallable on issues of both Faith and Morals, and the Faith of the Church I have been able to study at great length. However, I’ve always been somewhat confused on what constitutes the official Moral teaching though, and where the lines are drawn. I’m against abortion, homosexual marriage, and stem cell research, but there are other issues where it seems that I might not be in line with the Church’s teaching. If this is so I would like to study these Church teachings and know whether or not I have to reconsider my opinions due to these teachings being a part of the infallability of the Magesterium, or if there is room for different applications of such teachings in one’s beliefs.

I would greatly appreciate it if someone could either tell me the name of that book mentioned above (if there is such a book other than the Catechism that is considered the best place to turn to for official Catholic Moral and Social teaching) or a set of books that I might consider buying in order to gain a greater understanding of my obligations as a Catholic in this realm of Church doctrine. Also, any other sincere advice or comments would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your help.

YinandYang

I use **The Law of Christ **by Bernard Haring, C.SS.R it’s in three vol.

Stay away from anything from Richard Sparks.