The Church and Moral Teaching pp. 118 - 123

The Church is the continuation in history of the mission of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Richard Gula outlines 3 tasks of the Church in guiding moral life: The Church shapes moral character. The Church guards and maintains moral tradition. The Church is a community of moral deliberation whenever and wherever moral issues emerge.

1) The Church shapes moral character The Church has an impact on our moral vision. Its position on moral and ethical issues is reported in its own publications, press, T.V., internet, churches, Catholic schools, and Catholic homes. The Church is most effective through its rituals and symbols, its art and architecture, symbol and stories, the Bible and liturgy, social outreach programs and interactions with other Christians.

These actions touch our imagination and shape our vision of the world. They allow us to see this world immersed in God’s love. Liturgy is the common tool through which the Church teaches (more than formal teaching).

2) The Church Guards and maintains moral tradition The Church has a large body of moral teachings to assist in forming our consciences. Moral teachings are found in Church documents but the teachings are carried out by people: - the faithful, theologians, priests and pastoral ministers, the teaching authority of the Church (magisterium)

The Faithful The baptized, parents, family, friends, culture, catechism, schools, tradition (introduce us to moral tradition) Food banks, soup kitchens, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, volunteering, international missionary and service work We guard and maintain the moral tradition by giving witness to the justice and mercy of God.

Theologians Theologians interpret moral tradition They bridge the gap between moral tradition and present time by researching and interpreting moral issues. They are not official teachers in the Church – they instead present ancient messages using ideas and imagesa that are useful today.

Priests and Pastoral Workers Priests, deacons, pastoral assistants, administrators and catechists. They strive to make teachings accessible to ordinary believers. Ordained ministers (priests and deacons) carry out sacraments for the community. The sacraments give us the grace to respond in faithful and committed action with our lives.

The Teaching Authority of the Church Magisterium is the teaching office of the Church Bishops of the world (includes Cardinals and the Pope) They delegate to priests and catechists; they give a teaching mission to theologians (imprimatur and nihil obstat); publish definitions of faith, promulgate degrees of ecumenical councils, encyclicals, apostolic letters etc.

2 levels of the Magisterium Ordinary – normal daily teachings of the bishops and the pope through encyclicals and apostolic letters. Extraordinary – 1) ecumenical councils (pope and the college of Bishops gather and deliberate pronouncing a solemn degree e.g. Vatican II. 2) Pope speaks ex cathedra as head of the Church. Only happened twice in history. These are considered infallible statements.

3) The Church is a community of moral deliberation. Ethical positions emerge in response to events in a community and in the world. Bishops consult experts in the field and try to stay tuned to the moral climate of the time. The Church strives to use media outlets to dialogue, debate and collaborate.

Check out these websites: http://www.vatican.va http://www.cccb.ca http://acbo.on.ca These sites contain official teachings and publication by the bishops.

Discussion Question: What impact do Gospel values have on society, politics and ethics?