The Church & Moral Teaching How do you think it works?
Church continues the mission of Jesus & the Holy Spirit Church o imperfect o Agent of meeting Jesus Acts of love Outreach Preaching Teaching o What Jesus taught o Preserving doctrine
Richard Gula’s Three tasks of the Church in guiding moral life 1.Shaping moral character 2.Guarding and maintaining moral tradition 3.A community of moral deliberation when & where moral issues emerge
The Church Shapes Moral Character Church’s position on ethical & moral issues reported: o Church publications o Press o Internet o Churches o Schools/universities o homes
Shaping Moral Character Imagination important Church teaches through o Rituals o Images o Art o Architecture o Symbols o Stories o Liturgy Eucharist the source & summit of our faith
The Church Guards & Maintains Moral Tradition Reflecting on moral issues over its history o Large body of moral teaching to assist in helping us to inform our conscience Different levels of authority of teaching
People not documents! Groups of people help carry the tradition forward: o The faithful o Theologians o Priests & pastoral ministers o Teaching authority of the Church
The Faithful Our baptized parents & friends Catechists & schools Standing up for issues: o D&P o Soup kitchens o Hospices o Volunteering Witness mercy & justice of God!
Theologians Interpret moral tradition for our time Ancient tradition of o Scripture o Tradition of Church Contribute to Magisterium Present in continuity with past o See page 120 margin notes
Priests & pastoral workers Priests (presbyters) o Preside over liturgy & sacraments Deacons Pastoral assistants Administrators Catechists o Teach
Official teaching authority Magisterium Bishops & Pope o Instruction in schools o Theologians, imprimatur (it may be printed) o Definitions of faith Ecumenical councils Encyclicals Pastoral letters Declarations
Levels of the Magisterium Extraordinary o Ecumenical council pronounces solemn decree o Solemn decree of Pope (ex cathedra) Ordinary o Daily teaching of bishops o Not necessarily infallible yet binding
The Church is a community of moral deliberation Church responds to events in world Bishops consult experts o Dialogue & debate o See page 121 o Pick one: Summarize key points Reflect on the impact the teaching has on you.