Books about Catholicism

Anyone, please feel free to jump in!

It's my understanding, that if someone wishes to write and publish a book about any teachings of Christianity, he or she may do so. The subject matter would be up to the discretion of the writer, and whatever sources used, and rise or fall on the authority and credentials of the writer.

However, if a person wishes to write and publish a book about the Catholic Church, and its position, its teachings, its validity, the book must be reviewed by recognized authorities who can then attest to the book's absence of error and accurate information.

Or something like that, LOL.

The inside flyleaf, where the copyright and publishing information is contained, will also show two individual names, one next to "Nihil Obstat" and the other next to "Imprimatur."

Can somebody with more brain cells than I possess untangle what I said for the benefit of others?

Basically, though, with those two certifications, you can be sure the information contained therein is true to the Catholic Church. This is to prevent someone from collecting a bucket of urban legends and presenting it as "the true faith."


Peace be with you,
~VOW

Well, a "nihil obstat" means there is nothing objectionable in the book, and can usually be granted by a censor working under the bishop. An "imprimatur" means it is permissible to publish the book (or film, etc.) in the eyes of the Church and is granted by the bishop.

But, in life there are no guarantees. What do you think is easier to get: a nihil obstat or an anullment?

To Dave:

Ummmmmmm....

Can I get a banana daquiri instead?





Peace be with you,
~VOW

Well you could write a book about the Catholic Church without those things, but anyone checking would have reason to doubt it's authentisity. Some books have been given Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur and still express the author's ideas and interpetation, just that they don't disagree with the Deposit of Faith and Church Dogma.

Kotton

I'll have the daiquiri! Is the pub still open?

__________________
"And when I die, I'll thank the good Lord face to face, for His patience and grace." - an excerpt from 'Lucky To Be Here' by Montgomery Gentry

To Jeff:

Come on back to the freezer at the pub. What flavor daquiri? I think there's some frozen raspberries, and there MIGHT be some pineapple.


Peace be with you,
~VOW

My understanding is that any Catholic writing about Catholicism before Vatican II needed to have a Nihil Obstat and an Imprimatur before his book could be published.

Since Vatican II, this requirement has been narrowed considerably to include only catechisms, theology manuals (texts) and the like.

The natural result of this is that books written about the faith before Vatican II are much more reliable than those after.

Beyond that, however, you need to keep in mind that even if a book does have a nihil obstat and an imprimatur is no guarantee that the theology presented is correct, esp after Vatican II. First, because these are only guarantees that there is nothing in them contrary to the Catholic faith. So, for example, before the dogma of the Immaculate Conception was formally defined in 1854, it would have been perfectly correct for a theologian to question this notion, and he could have received the requisite permissions to publish.

Secondly, occasionally heretical bishops do come along.

Thirdly, much more likely is for the work after Vatican II to be reviewed by a poorly trained or prejudiced theologian. And so it was that some materials I was given as part of a structured program of evangelism in the Archdiocese of Chicago two years ago had the requisite permissions, and a few heretical statements. This seemed to be a case of sloppiness more than anything else.

The upshot is that I largely limit my theological reading to works before the Council or to those works by persons who are noteworthy for their loyalty to the Church and fidelity to to Rome.


Lee

Wow, talk about "anybody" wanting to write a book about Catholicism. I bought a book on-line awhile back, thinking it would be a good one. It's called The Catholic Church, A Short History by Hans Kung. On the flyleaf, it states the author was named a theological consultant for the Second Vatican Council in 1962.

Ok...I start reading this, and it's dates and such. Ok. Then it started getting "strange". Red lights began to flash in my poor little brain. I checked the index, and under the subject of abortion, it comes out this guy is all for abortion, birth control, etc., etc. He refers to John Paul II as "Pope Wojtyla". Well...you get the picture.
Needless to say, this is not a book that would be approved by the Church. Teach me to check with a Catholic book source before I order a book about Catholicism...

__________________
~Peggy~

~The Lord is my Shepherd~~

~~May His peace be with you always~~

"theological consultant" you would think that the people at the vadican would know more then anyone about what they were talking about.

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


They may look and yet not see; they may listen & listen yet not understand. For if they did they would turn to God , and he would forgive them.
~Mark 4:11

The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.

To Crisis:

Obviously this "theological consultant" knew just enough to form his own opinion for things. That is why I opened this discussion. If you look for "Imprimitur" and "Nihil Obstat" you SHOULD be able to find a halfway decent book.

Sometimes, LOL.



Peace be with you,
~VOW