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An
Introduction to
MORAL
THEOLOGY
SECOND EDITION
Nihil Obstat Rev. Basil Cole, O.P., S.T.D. Censor Deputatus
Imprimatur
The Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur are official declarations that a book or pamphlet is free of doctrinal or moral error. No implication is contained therein that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.
With few exceptions (including those appearing in quoted material incorporating biblical excerpts from such editions as the New American Bible), most Scripture texts in this work are taken from the Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible (RSV), copyright © 1965 and 1966 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Catechism excerpts are from the English translation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition, for use in the United States of America, copyright © 1994 and 1997, United States Catholic Conference — Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The English translation of Veritatis splendor is from the Vatican website, www.vatican.va.
The author is grateful to all copyright holders without whose material this book could not have been completed. Every reasonable effort has been made to determine copyright holders of excerpted materials and to secure permissions as needed. If any copyrighted materials have been inadvertently used in this work without proper credit being given in one form or another, please notify Our Sunday Visitor in writing so that future printings of this work may be corrected accordingly.
Original edition copyright © 1991, 1994, and second edition copyright © 2003 by Our Sunday Visitor Publishing Division, Our Sunday Visitor, Inc.
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ISBN: 978-1-931709-92-7 (Inventory No. T49)
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Cover design by Monica Haneline
Interior design by Sherri L. Hoffman
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Dedicated to my grandchildren Christopher Michael May, Elizabeth Ann May, Alexandra Marie (“Sasha”) Fairchok, Anastasia Teresa (“Anna”) Fairchok, Kathryn Blair (“Katya”) Fairchok, Megan Flora May, Peter William May, Margaret Mary (“Maggie”) May, Katherine Anne (“Katie”) May, Christina Marie May, Joachim Gabriel Romanosky, and to grandchildren-to-be and children of their generation.
Contents
Introduction to the Second Edition
Key to Abbreviations of Biblical Books
CHAPTER ONE Moral Theology: Its Nature, Purpose, and Biblical Foundation
The Moral Life — An Introductory Description
The Nature, Purpose, and Renewal of Moral Theology
1. Who We Are and Who We Are Meant to Be in the Light of Faith
2. Theology and Moral Theology
3. The Function and Purpose of Moral Theology
4. The Renewal of Moral Theology
Moral Theology and Holy Scripture
CHAPTER TWO Human Dignity, Free Human Action, Virtue, and Conscience
1. Three Kinds of Human Dignity
3. The Significance of Human Action and the Meaning of Character
B. St. Thomas Aquinas on Virtue
C. Virtue-based Ethics and Principles-based Ethics
5. Conscience and Our Moral Life
CHAPTER THREE The Natural Law and Moral Life
Natural Law in St. Thomas Aquinas