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In modern society, the spread of atheism
and liberal Christian teaching has radically, if not entirely,
undermined any notion of right and wrong by abandoning the necessary
belief in divine authority. If there be no divine authority, then
there is no one to "impose obligation". The atheist denies such
authority absolutely while the liberal denies the belief in the
supernatural revelation of Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all, and
therefore the lawgiver and judge of all human behavior.
This
course provides an absolutely crucial study for tomorrow's Christian
leaders--a study that has been neglected to the detriment of millions.
WHAT IS MORAL THEOLOGY?
The Catholic Encyclopedia
eloquently defines Moral Theology as follows:
"Moral
theology is limited to those doctrines
which discuss the relations of
man and his free actions to
God and his
supernatural end, and propose the means instituted by
God for the attainment of that end."
Moral theology does not only consider
principles of morality, but examines the individual
cases which arise in the complexity of human life which arise and
determines the limits and the gravity of the
obligation in them.
COURSE CONTENT
The Academy's course in Moral Theology provides a
discussion-oriented study of Catholic principles of morality as
expressed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The course
covers two years and is organized in two streams.
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Year 1 |
Year 2 |
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Stream A |
Sacraments
CCC 1076-1690 |
Man's Vocation
CCC 1691-2051 |
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Stream B |
The Ten
Commandments
CCC 2052-2557 |
This course refrains
entirely from treating of theological questions which have no essential
connection with moral theology. It is necessary expedient, however, to
discuss very briefly certain theological points on which the doctrinal
aspects of the cases depend, as, for example, what the sacramental
character is, whether there is one or many, what mortal and venial sin
are, what constitutes consent, and the like.
METHOD OF STUDY
Moral theology requires a combination of the study of the principles
of morality and discussion of the application of those principles in
specific cases. Short of using the formal structure of scholastic
disputation, each difficulty is to be
handled by proposing a difficulty and resolving it. The solution should
be based on not more than two or three arguments, and authorities for it
should not be heaped up. Three particular cases will suffice to
illustrate a general precept or rule.
Weekly
disputations are held on proposed solutions of cases before the teacher
for a period of two hours. The disputation should be conducted by
means of questions, that is, by asking the solution of some difficulty,
by proposing a new case with some changed circumstances, by citing a
canon or the opinion of a noted authority against some conclusion.
Sometimes a short discussion pro and contra may be
introduced to lend more dignity to the occasion, but it shall be done
with moderation and on a different level from the usual philosophical
disputation.
First, he should choose a
subject for discussion, sometimes a subject bearing on actual practice.
Second, he should briefly discuss the subject matter chosen, indicating
the principles and precepts involved, so as to give a general view of
the subject and to throw light on all its various aspects. Lastly, he
should choose three or four cases dealing with the proposed subject
matter. These he should have posted in the place where the discussion is
to be held and he should indicate the day for the meeting.
Certain individuals should
privately study these proposed cases, each taking one case and reading
up on it in authorities furnished by the presiding officer.
On convening, it would be
useful for each to explain briefly the opinion of his authority on the
case he is handling. Next, the presiding officer should call upon three
or more (who should be forewarned and should be chosen in rotation) to
give their opinion on the first case, so that he may arrive at a prudent
and more probable solution. He should follow the same procedure with the
other cases. Finally, after summing up the discussion and solution of
the cases as is customary in a disputation on cases, he should
call for questions to be answered by one of the three appointed
for the discussion. In the end he should give his own judgment.
If anyone comes across a
case outside the matter ordinarily discussed in these conferences, he
should report it to the presiding officer, if circumstances allow, so
that it can be discussed at a later
conference.
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