International Catholic University

Moral Magisterium of John Paul II

16 Lessons to Accompany Video Lectures
Msgr. Wm. B. Smith

Preface

The videos you have watched, are watching, will watch provide a summary and outline of the Moral Magisterium of Pope John Paul II. In essence, this conforms with what conventional Catholic moral theology calls "Fundamental Moral Theology." Fundamental or general moral theology is the first course in Moral Theology since it considers the basic principles and presuppositions of the subject, but in this effort we employ the teachings and writings of John Paul II as our tests and constant reference.

Now that you have decided to earn credit for this course, it requires more than merely following the taped lectures. In what follows, to fulfill the requirements for credit fuller and more sophisticated arguments along with further reading and writing will be required of you.

The chief works for this course are:

John Paul II, Veritatis Splendor (8/6/93) nn. 1-120.
Catechism of the Catholic Church (1992) Part III, ##1699-2051.

Two recent 'Introductions' cover the same material more expansively while not limiting themselves so exclusively to the writings of Pope John Paul II:

Finally many basic terms of reference are well explained in the New Catholic Encyclopedia (1967) 15 volumes. For ready reference these are cited as NCE 9:1109-1117; that would refer to the New Catholic Encyclopedia (NCE) volume 9, pages 1109-1117. Lastly, the teaching documents of Vatican Council II will be referred to often; thus, one of the available collections of those documents (Abbott or Flannery) will be necessary as will a copy of the Bible.

Each of the lessons that follow will refer to other titles, particularly the documents and teachings of Pope John Paul II with some bibliography to expand your knowledge beyond the specific demands of this course.

  1. I:1 Lesson One. Subject: Place, Content, Method
  2. I:2 Lesson Two. Scriptural Sources
  3. II:3 Lesson Three. Freedom & Truth (the Truth about Freedom)
  4. II:4 Lesson Four. Freedom and Law (VS,nn.35-53)
  5. II:5 Lesson Five The "Fonts of Morality" (the MORAL act)
  6. II:6 Lesson Six. The False Theory of Proportionalism
  7. III:7 Lesson Seven. Conscience -- Nature and Function
  8. III:8 Lesson Eight. Conscience and Truth
  9. III:9 Lesson Nine. Virtue and Truth
  10. IV:10 Lesson Ten. Moral Magisterium (Scope and Outline)
  11. IV:11 Lesson Eleven. Sin and Reconciliation (Social Sin)
  12. IV:12 Lesson Twelve. Reconciliation and Sin (Mortal and Venial)
  13. V:13 Lesson Thirteen. Gospel of Life
  14. V:14 Lesson Fourteen. Gospel of Life (Origin and Destiny)
  15. VI:15 Lesson Fifteen. Gospel of Life (Abortion)
  16. VI:16 Lesson Sixteen. Gospel of Life (Euthanasia)

Email message from Paul Soper providing information about references he has found helpful.

How to Order This Course

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