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:
1)
2)
3)
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.


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).


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 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 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, 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.


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.

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.


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.

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


What impact do Gospel values have on society, politics and ethics?