Introduction to Moral Teaching in the Catholic Christian Context *The question of authority and its role in the lives

of individuals and groups of persons is not an exclusively ecclesiastical one. (ecclesiastical meaning spiritual, sacred, or relating to the Christian Church): authority, in the Christian context, does not depend solely upon authoritative figures in the Christian Church (priests, bishops, the pope) *There are many overlapping forms of authority in our human life (parental authority, police authority, political authority, judicial authority, scientific authority) *Episcopal Pastors, (bishops) under the teaching of Vatican II, (a gathering of bishops to address the Catholic Church in relation to relevant matters in the world) occupy the threefold office which is to sanctify, to teach, and to rule. *(To sanctify) to make holy; what is required from Christians? Reverence. * (To rule) to protect and maintain the common good of the People of God; what is required from Christians? Obedience. * (To teach) to answer questions on the truth, specifically the truths of the catholic faith; what is required from Christians? Attentiveness to listen. * Unfortunately, people, even bishops themselves, expect that there should also be obedience in the teaching authority, neglecting the possibility that if one is not convinced of the truth or relevance of a teaching, the obedience required to be shown to that teaching may hamper individuals to examine their own consciences. *there are different levels of authority when it comes to the exercise of the teaching office in the Church. Unfortunately, these different levels, sometimes referred to as a 'hierarchy of truths', are not always made clear to the faithful, perhaps because the distinction between the levels and the proper assignment of various, individual truths to one of these levels remains in dispute. 2 Objects of authoritative teaching (sources that we Christians, should uphold to be morally correct) 1. The deposit of faith contained in Scripture and (Apostolic Tradition)- because they are revelations of God-they are essential to faith (dogmas) 2. Things, ( teachings of the religious- doctrines) which are indispensable for the maintenance of revelation, such as the condemnation of propositions that would contradict revelation or statements of those things that would necessarily flow from revelation: this is a problematic area because there are a significant number of matters that may be important in human life itself but cannot be considered as maintaining revelation or flowing from revelation or in any way related to pronouncements related to the church, and are therefore not included and discussed in detail in the 2nd object of authoritative teaching. (matters such as but not limiting to: national laws, the diverse nature of cultures, economic matters)

The Dilemma of the the 2nd object of authoritative teaching (teachings of the religious) *it is clear that being the object of authoritative teaching does not, by the very act of being one, imply absoluteness, certainty or unchangeability. (the 2nd object is subject to a wide range of interpretations, and can be compromised by the very persons who attempt to teach and interpret it) * There are matters that are not entirely religious in nature but are inevitably relevant to the object of authoritative teaching. This encompasses that broad field we call 'morality' and, at first sight, touches upon just about every facet of our lives. * Christian teachings in the area of morality contain convictions that the faithful take for granted because of common practice by members of Christianity. *While such universal convictions considered to be adhering to morality help define the character of the Christian community, Christians should not claim exclusively the aspects of what could constitute moral living. NATURAL MORALITY *The concept of natural morality: Following Jesus' own teaching, St Paul
observes that all persons are capable of doing what is prescribed 'in the law' even if they have never known 'the law', because what is essential to the law is written in their hearts (Rom 2:14-15). It is part of Christian doctrine that human persons are capable of coming to a knowledge of what is true and what is good, that they can recognize truth and goodness because of their very being.7 This is sometimes referred to as natural morality because it is available to all human beings, regardless of their culture, faith or religious convictions.

* We should be careful not to overextend the concept of natural morality. Historical accounts tell us of cases where natural morality was overextended, resulting to kings and other individuals claiming rights to manipulate the majority because they have over-emphasized their inherent nature to be good, particularly because they perceive themselves to be somewhat appointed, gifted or blessed by God. *While the church and its leaders has to take a position on certain issues, the position, especially when no evidence shows that is it connected with revelation or scripture, is never equivalent or purely pertaining to the essence of being a faithful person who follows Christian teaching.
*In most areas of natural morality, church leaders enjoy no more or less competence than any other intelligent or wise persons on most issues.

*The only exception is when an issue in natural morality can be proven to be connected with revelation or scripture.

*There have been many instances that individuals have claimed that their beliefs were absolute because they were attached to interpretations of natural morality *For example: The commandment Thou shalt not commit adultery has been interpreted by logicians in various ways: non-marital sexual encounter, dress codes and in-vitro fertilization. *Few question interpretations by the religious because of the reasoning: since God is the creator, God is the author of natural morality, and those who do the work of God are therefore somehow authorized to interpret this natural morality. Sometimes the reasoning goes as far to claim complete competence with regard to natural law. *However, if an individual is unaware that he is significantly affected by the culture he is exposed to, it is easy for him to misinterpret his reasoning as actually pertaining to Natural Morality and Natural Law. His claims therefore are mere expressions of another ideology or philosophy that he may unconsciously subscribe to as a result of his circumstance. * Through history, church leaders have condemned as 'unnatural' such items as using an umbrella, eating with utensils, giving vaccinations or even practising democracy, not to mention more sinister positions that have been taken on the inequality of the races or the 'natural subordination' of women to men.
*Appealing to the 'natural law' in order to construct a moral position will always be at best questionable and open to the accusation of self-justification * The content attached to the natural law more often than not reflects social expectations and norms that are applicable on a moral level, but it is inappropriate to grant such expectations and norms unchangeability and absoluteness. In the context of the Church, issues arise when such norms and expectations are taken up as content in the official teaching of Church authorities.
*The problem of the relationship between authoritative teaching and natural morality remains a delicate one.

NON PROPOSITIONAL MORAL TEACHING * There is a notion that the exercise of authority in the Church is solely granted upon the Pope and the bishops

*The notion however is a wrong one. It is important to consider that the Church is a community, because God relates and reveals to a community. Thus, religious authoritative figures, no matter what their positions are in the church, cannot claim exclusive access to the truth about God and God s relationship to mankind. The relationship of God to mankind is set in the context of the entire People of God and not just through the Church leaders.

*The exercise of authority in the church does not rely only on the Pope and the bishops, but only they (the Pope and the bishops) can claim that they are official teachers.
* The exercise of authority in the Church through statements or actions is tied to the Church as the People of God, formed by the Word of God, and shaped by apostolic tradition. Thus, authoritative actions and teachings in the Church are always assumed to be related to revelation or scripture, but must be supported by evidence that presents an acceptable degree of relation. *Christians tend to think that the practice of authority in the Church is expressed only through making statements or issuing decrees. However, although making statements is part of exercising authority in the Church, another important aspect would be to witness the truth by living out and acting by it rather than just proclaiming it. *This witness was and is constituted by the way in which one lives. For how one lives reflects what one truly believes, and the style of living one exhibits testifies to one's commitment to those beliefs. *The best example of good authoritative practice would be Jesus. Instead of making direct statements, He communicated often through parables that challenged the comprehension of his listeners, but his impact was seen through his life and actions. He expressed his authority by doing miracles.

*An authoritative statement about Christian morality should therefore:

-be connected with Revelation; the connection itself is convincing and can be proven - determine whether or not the lifestyles (as a whole and in individual aspects) of Christians (who claim to believe in the message of the gospel and in Jesus Christ) are appropriate according to Christian morality. * To find out what constitutes a moral Christian lifestyle, one must refer to the prescriptions of the Church (scripture and teachings) but at the same time must be sensitive to the current state of Christian faith in relation to the historical and cultural context. *Authoritative statements about how things should be done in the lives of Christians must cite the life of Jesus as a reference point. *Authoritative statements are somehow connected to Scripture and tradition. However, there is no need to find identical or similar events or gestures in the Scriptures just to have a competent opinion about an issue. Imitating certain actions and gestures in the Scriptures is also not necessary. *To attribute ones moral stand to revelation means that the stand must reflect the spirit or attitude of the teaching of Jesus.

*Christians are called to love God and neighbor; authoritative statements can make a stand and determine what is appropriate or not for Christians when they can show whether or not an action is compatible with the greatest commandment to love. *Christians must remember however, that when making authoritative statements, they must be sensitive to the cultural and historical context within which they express themselves. There are teachings of the church that may have been appropriate in other contexts in the past but are not anymore appropriate today.