Catholic Morality and Church Teachings Flashcards

Vocabulary terms and definitions from the lecture notes covering theological concepts, moral decision-making, laws, and Catholic social teachings.

Angels

Spiritual beings serving God.

Common Good

The benefit of all people.

Concupiscence

The inclination toward sin after original sin.

Dignity

Inherent human worth.

Free Will

The ability to choose freely.

Human Dignity

Worth that comes from being human.

Human Person

The unity of body and soul.

Morality

Right and wrong actions.

Nihilism

The belief that life lacks meaning.

Original Holiness

Humanity’s friendship with God before sin.

Original Justice

Harmony with God, self, others, and creation.

Original Sin

The first human disobedience or humanity's fallen state.

Paschal Mystery

Jesus’ passion, death, and resurrection.

Sin

An offense against God.

Solidarity

Unity with others; caring for and supporting others.

Soul

The spiritual, immortal essence.

Subsidiarity

The principle that problems should be solved at the local level when possible.

Theological Virtues

Faith, hope, and love.

Virtue

A habit of doing good.

Abortion

The ending of unborn human life.

Cardinal Virtues

Prudence, justice, temperance, and fortitude.

Discernment

Seeking God’s guidance.

Infallibility

The Church being protected from error in teachings on faith and morals.

Magisterium

The teaching authority of the Church.

Prudence

Wise decision-making and choosing right actions wisely.

S.T.O.P.

A decision-making method consisting of: Stop, Think, Options, Pray.

Moral Object

The act itself within moral decision-making.

Intention

The purpose behind an action.

Circumstances

The conditions surrounding an action.

Objective Morality

Moral truth that is independent of feelings.

Subjective Dimension of Morality

Personal understanding or experience of morality.

Prayer

Talking with God.

Meditation

Reflecting on God.

Contemplation

Quietly resting in God.

Justice

Giving others what is due and fairness to others.

Temperance

Self-control and moderation.

Fortitude

Courage in difficulties.

Freedom

The ability to choose good.

Determinism

The belief that there is no free choice.

Internal Freedom

Freedom within yourself.

External Freedom

Freedom from outside pressure.

License

Doing anything as opposed to true freedom.

Imputability

Personal responsibility for actions.

Jesus

The fundamental norm of Christian morality and the model for behavior.

Law

A rule guiding actions.

Natural Law

Moral law written into human nature.

Civil Law

Government-made laws.

Canon Law

Church laws.

Evangelical Counsels

Poverty, chastity, and obedience.

Precepts of the Catholic Church

Basic obligations of the Church.

Ten Commandments

God’s moral rules found in Exodus and Deuteronomy, given to Moses at Mount Sinai.

Beatitudes

The path to happiness and Jesus’ moral teaching found in Matthew $5$.

Blessed

Happy or spiritually joyful.

Sermon on the Mount

Jesus’ teachings on discipleship.

Theology of the Body

Teachings by Pope John Paul II between $1979-1984$ regarding human love and dignity.

Original Solitude

Human uniqueness before God.

Marriage Covenant

A public vow combined with a private commitment.

Corporal Works of Mercy

Actions meeting physical needs, such as feeding the hungry or visiting the sick.

Spiritual Works of Mercy

Actions meeting spiritual needs, such as instructing the ignorant or forgiving offenses.

Distributive Justice

The fair distribution of resources.

Legal Justice

Obeying just laws.

Social Justice

Improving society for fairness.

Stewardship

Caring for people and creation.