Key Concepts in Catholic Moral Theology and Ethics new

Moral evil

an action that is always morally wrong.

Object

The act itself, what are you doing? What's the order of execution?

Ontological

Nature of essence of a thing in itself, its objective. Ex: What makes a cat a cat? It's not subjective perception but its essence.

Vatican II

A council held in Rome with all the Bishops in the world, their purpose was to preserve the church and better share the faith. John the 23rd started the council and Paul the 6th finished it in 1965.

Onanism

Onan wasted his seed he did not complete the sex act.

Trinitarianism

Doctrine of the Trinity, One God in 3 persons.

Ontic

Absence of good 'cancer' absence of health, a premoral evil.

ProtoEvangelium

Announcement of the 1st good news Gen 3:15.

Teleological

There is an end to everything, it comes from the greek word (telos-end).

Just War Theory

Theory that provides ethical guidelines for when military force is morally ok.

Divine Law

Law that comes from revelation, from God.

Conjugal

Relationship between married couple.

Monism

Philosophical religious system that highest value is unity, idea that difference is no good. Pagan Platonic concepts fall from unity of deity no problem. No good.

William May

He is a moral theologian who taught at the Catholic University of America.

Circumstances

This theology method believes the circumstances decide whether or not something is morally right or wrong.

St. Augustine

Augustine of Hippo was a Bishop in Hippo and philosopher from the 4th and 5th century.

Doe V Bolton

Mary Doe aka Sandra Cano wanted an abortion in Georgia. The laws did not permit her so she took it to the supreme court. Saying it violated her 'right to privacy' she won 7-2.

Joseph Fletcher

American professor who is responsible for situation ethics. Meaning everything depends on the situation and love of the person. Debunks morality.

Effect or end

The goal or purpose for one's actions, why is someone doing something? What is the end goal here?

Thomas Aquinas

A 13th-century Dominican theologian educated by Albert the Great; wrote the Summa Theologica and emphasized reason and faith in moral theology.

Lambeth Conference

Anglican conference of Bishops in 1930 they got rid of belief on contraceptives and allowed it for married couples.

Protestantism

A group of people who follow Martin Luther, they broke off from the Catholic Church in the 16th century.

Natural Law

Law built into human nature from God.

Magisterium

Teaching authority of the Church, including Pope and Bishops.

Humane Vitae

On Human life Encyclical by Paul VI in response to birth control.

Roe v. Wade

In the 1960's a woman named Norma McCorvay found herself pregnant and she didn't want to be. Abortion was only legalized in Texas for the life of the mother so therefore she could not receive one. Sarah Weddingtion a lawyer got involved, they challenged the texas law. The Attorney General of Dallas Texas Henry Wade successfully defended the restriction, Sarah kept appealing and eventually it went to supreme court. Where they won in a 7-2 favor, they fought this on the right to privacy saying this was the mothers private decision. It created an autonomous woman. Jane Roe was the name used in the Supreme Court. Hence Roe V. Wade. The Supreme court ruled in favor of Roe (McCorvy) Jan 22 1973.

Arguments of Roe v. Wade

Abortion was legalized in 1973 off of the argument that women have a right to privacy. That pregnancy is only a woman's business and no one can be involved including the husband and family. In Roe v. Wade men practically do not exist. People also argue that a fetus is not a person.

Significance of Doe v. Bolton

This is the companion case to Roe V. Wade expanded women's access to abortion by striking down laws that restricted the reasons for which women could receive abortions.

Doe V. Bolton

A case that stated requirements for abortion violated the right to privacy.

Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization

A Supreme Court case that addressed whether the Constitution protects the right to an abortion.

Mississippi's Gestational Age Act

A law banning most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy with exceptions for medical emergencies and fetal abnormalities.

Roe v. Wade

A landmark 1973 Supreme Court decision that protected the right to an abortion.

Planned Parenthood v. Casey

A 1992 Supreme Court case that upheld Roe v. Wade but allowed states to impose some restrictions on abortions.

Chief Justice Roberts' opinion

Agreed to uphold the Mississippi law but criticized the majority for overruling Roe and Casey.

Joint dissent by Justices Breyer, Kagan, and Sotomayor

Criticized the Court for unsettling nearly five decades of precedent regarding abortion rights.

Culture of Death

An individualistic concept that distorts freedom and promotes the idea of the strong versus the weak.

Right to privacy

An individual's claim to make personal decisions without interference, often discussed in the context of abortion.

Procreation

The act of creating new life, which is seen as sharing in God's creative power.

Sacredness of human life

Human life is sacred because it is the living image of God and entrusted to us by Him.

Capital punishment

The death penalty, which is permitted as a form of legitimate defense for the common good.

Grave sin

The act of killing a human who shares the image of God.

Legitimate defense

A right and duty to protect the common good of the nation or family.

God's creative power

The divine ability to create life, which humans share through procreation.

Fellowship with God

The relationship humans are created to have with God, characterized by knowledge and love.

Autonomy

The concept of self-governance that can lead to the rejection of communal responsibilities.

Responsibility over human life

The obligation humans have to care for life as a sign of glory and honor from the Creator.

Image of God

The belief that humans reflect God's nature and have a special status in creation.

Divine undertaking

The partnership between a man and woman in marriage to accept God's gift of new life.

Truth and freedom

The idea that true freedom is linked to the truth, rather than subjective feelings.

Cain and Abel

A biblical story illustrating the importance of caring for others and communal responsibility.

Relative beliefs

The concept that beliefs become subjective and can undermine the right to life.

Elected branches

The branches of government that now have the authority to regulate abortion following the Dobbs decision.

Death Penalty

A legal punishment used by society to restore order caused by an offence, applicable only in extreme cases.

Infallible Statement

A declaration made by the authority conferred upon Peter and his Successors, confirming that the direct and voluntary killing of an innocent human being is always gravely immoral.

Abortion

The direct murder of innocent human life, defined as the deliberate and direct killing of a human being from conception to birth.

Procured Abortion

The deliberate and direct killing of a human being in the initial phase of existence, extending from conception to birth.

Responsibility for Abortion

Falls on the mother, father, family, doctors, legislators, and anyone who aids in the abortion.

Justification of Abortion

Claims that conception cannot be considered a personal human life until a certain number of days, which is refuted by the assertion that life begins at fertilization.

Human Rights

The rights of a person, including the inviolable right to life, recognized from the moment of conception.

Intrinsic Illicit Acts

Acts that are inherently wrong and cannot be justified by any circumstance, purpose, or law.

Euthanasia

A practice based on the belief that individuals should have control over their bodies, prioritizing quality of life over life itself.

Dualism

A perspective underlying euthanasia that separates mind and body, suggesting that control over one's body is essential to being human.

Gnosticism

A belief system that emphasizes the importance of knowledge and control over one's existence, often associated with views on euthanasia.

Church's Teaching on Abortion

The doctrine that abortion is infallibly taught to be immoral by the Church.

Moral Disorder

A grave moral issue constituted by direct abortion, which is the deliberate killing of an innocent human being.

Natural Law

A basis for the doctrine against abortion, asserting that moral principles are inherent in human nature.

Sacred Scripture

The written Word of God that reaffirms the immorality of killing innocent human beings.

Tradition of the Church

The transmission of teachings and doctrines by the Church that supports the stance against abortion.

Ordinary and Universal Magisterium

The teaching authority of the Church that upholds the doctrine against the killing of innocent human beings.

Cultural Response to Abortion

The Church's role in addressing the moral implications of abortion in a culture that may not uphold these values.

Life Begins

The assertion that life begins at fertilization, establishing the human being as a distinct entity from that moment.

Penalties for Abortion

The extreme penalties applied by the Church for the sin of abortion.

Inviolable Right to Life

The fundamental right of every innocent human being to life, recognized from the moment of conception.

Quality of Life

A belief that prioritizes living conditions over the mere existence of life, often cited in arguments for euthanasia.

Euthanasia

The act of intentionally ending a person's life to relieve suffering.

Chastity

The virtue that integrates sex to the person and brings peace, affirming the desire for sexual pleasures while ordering it.

Indissolubility

The sacramental essence of marriage, which is the only good that is absolutely necessary for a valid marriage.

Openness to Children

One of the three goods of marriage, referring to the willingness to welcome and raise children.

Good of Fidelity

One of the three goods of marriage, emphasizing loyalty and commitment between spouses.

Sacred Gift and Promise

The commitment that married couples make to each other, which chastity protects.

Adultery

The act of being unfaithful to a spouse, which violates the friendship and trust inherent in marriage.

Conscientious Objection

The moral stance to oppose laws that contradict one's ethical beliefs, such as those permitting abortion or euthanasia.

Legislators' Role

The responsibility of elected officials to oppose unjust laws and support measures that limit harm when abrogation is not possible.

Marriage as Friendship

The concept that marriage is a unique friendship where a man and woman unite in body and spirit.

Betrayal of Marriage

The act of committing adultery, which breaks the trust and bond of the marriage pact.

Security for Children

The protection and stability that a committed marriage provides for the upbringing of children.

Marriage Bond

The special connection and commitment between spouses that fosters fidelity and love.

Lesser of Two Evils

The ethical principle that when faced with two negative options, one should choose the one that causes less harm.

Pleasurable Life

The belief that life has value only when it is enjoyable, leading to the justification of euthanasia in some views.

Marital Body

The physical union of spouses that expresses their commitment and love for each other.

Three Goods of Marriage

The essential elements of marriage: openness to children, fidelity, and indissolubility.

Intimate Friendship

The deep bond and trust shared between married partners, which is harmed by acts of infidelity.

Abortion

The termination of a pregnancy, viewed as a crime that cannot be legitimized by human law.

Moral Obligation

The ethical duty to oppose unjust laws and uphold one's conscience in matters of life and death.

Gift of Self

The act of giving oneself fully to another in the context of marriage, which is realized through sexual intimacy.

Adultery

Radically inconsistent to marriage and marital friendships; primarily harms the marital relationship.

Contraception

An act that violates marital union, human dignity, and human sexuality; it is intrinsically evil.

Marital Act

A self-giving love on the part of the husband and wife, fully open to life; a life-giving union between a man and a woman.

Anti Life Character of Contraceptives

A rejection of the life-giving meaning of intercourse; aimed directly against life.

Moral Immmorality

It is always immoral to act directly against a basic human good like truth, life, and the procreative good.