Key Concepts in Catholic Moral Theology and Ethics

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.

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.

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 1973, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Roe (McCorvy) stating that women have a right to privacy regarding pregnancy.

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 addressing 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 1973 Supreme Court decision that established a woman's legal right to an abortion.

Planned Parenthood v. Casey

A 1992 Supreme Court case that reaffirmed Roe v. Wade but allowed for some state regulation of abortion.

Chief Justice Roberts' opinion

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

Joint dissent by Justices Breyer, Kagan, and Sotomayor

Criticized the Court for unsettling nearly five decades of precedent and undermining women's freedom and equality.

Culture of death

An individualistic concept that distorts freedom, promoting the strong over the weak.

Right to privacy

An individual's claim to make personal decisions without interference, often cited in abortion debates.

Autonomy

The concept of self-governance or independence, which can lead to rejection of mutual responsibilities.

God's creative power

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

Procreation

The act of creating new life, seen as a divine partnership between a man and a woman.

Human life is sacred

Human life is considered sacred because it is created in the image of God and entrusted to humanity.

Capital punishment

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

Legitimate defense

The right and duty to protect oneself or others, which can justify actions that would otherwise be considered wrong.

Grave sin

A serious moral wrongdoing, such as killing a human who shares the image of God.

Fellowship with God

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

Responsibility over human life

The duty given to humanity by God to care for and protect life.

Divine undertaking

The partnership between a man and woman in procreation, accepting God's gift of life.

Kingship/royalty over the world

The authority humans have over creation, reflecting their likeness to God.

Talent

A metaphor used by Jesus to describe human life, which must be used well.

Common good

The benefit of all members of society, which can justify actions like capital punishment.

Aggressor's actions

The actions of a person that can lead to their own punishment, including capital punishment.

Death Penalty

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

Infallible Statement

A declaration by the Church asserting 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.

Human Life

Begins at fertilization, creating a new human being with its own growth, distinct from the parents.

Rights of the Unborn

The unborn human being must be respected and treated as a person from the moment of conception, with an inviolable right to life.

Intrinsic Illicit Acts

No circumstance, purpose, or law can make licit an act that is intrinsically illicit, as it contradicts the Law of God.

Euthanasia

The practice of ending a life to relieve pain, often justified by beliefs in dualism and the importance of control over one's body.

Quality of Life Belief

The belief that having control over one's body and mind is essential, valuing quality of life over life itself.

Moral Disorder of Abortion

Direct abortion is always a grave moral disorder as it involves the deliberate killing of an innocent human being.

Natural Law

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

Tradition of the Church

The transmission of teachings and doctrines by the Church, including the immorality of abortion.

Ordinary and Universal Magisterium

The teaching authority of the Church that confirms and teaches doctrines such as the immorality of abortion.

Cultural Response to Abortion

The Church's role in addressing and countering cultural acceptance of abortion through its teachings.

Infallible Teaching on Abortion

The Church's definitive teaching that abortion is immoral and must be upheld by its followers.

Gnosticism

A belief system that emphasizes spiritual knowledge and control over one's body, often associated with views on euthanasia.

Dualism

The philosophical perspective that separates the mind and body, influencing beliefs about euthanasia.

Deliberate Killing

The intentional act of causing death, which is condemned in the context of abortion and euthanasia.

Penalties for Abortion

Severe consequences imposed by the Church for the act of abortion, reflecting its moral stance.

Human Dignity

The inherent worth of every human being, which must be recognized from conception onward.

Life Begins at Conception

The belief that human life starts at fertilization, making abortion a moral issue from that point.

Cultural Morality

The moral standards of society that the Church seeks to influence regarding issues like abortion and euthanasia.

Euthanasia

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

Conscientious objection

The moral stance of opposing laws or actions that one believes are wrong.

Chastity

The virtue that integrates sex into the person, affirming sexual desire while giving it order.

Indissolubility

The sacramental essence of marriage, indicating that it cannot be dissolved.

Openness to children

One of the goods of marriage, emphasizing the couple's willingness to have and raise children.

Good of fidelity

The commitment of spouses to remain faithful to each other within the marriage.

Sacred gift

The promise of total commitment that spouses make to each other in marriage.

Adultery

The act of a married person engaging in sexual relations with someone other than their spouse.

Marriage as friendship

A unique bond where a man and woman unite in body and spirit, characterized by mutual trust.

Negative consequences of pro-abortion laws

The harm done to public opinion and morality by laws permitting abortion.

Lesser of two evils

The ethical decision-making process where one must choose the option that causes less harm.

Marriage bond

The special connection and commitment that exists between married partners.

Security for children

The safety and stability that parents provide through their marital bond.

Betrayal of the marriage bond

The act of violating the trust and commitment inherent in the marital relationship.

Three goods of marriage

Openness to children, fidelity, and indissolubility, which define the essence of marriage.

Marital body

The physical expression of love and commitment between spouses within the context of marriage.

Trust in marriage

The reliance on one another that is essential for a healthy marital relationship.

Marital intimacy

The deep emotional and physical connection shared between spouses.

Affirming sexual desire

Recognizing and valuing the natural desire for sex while maintaining moral order.

Marriage seal

The sacred commitment that binds a couple in their marital relationship.

Fake affection

Insincere expressions of love or commitment, as exemplified by Judas's betrayal.

Legislators' role in abortion laws

The responsibility of elected officials to oppose unjust laws while seeking to limit their harm.

Adultery

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

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.

Anti Life Character of Contraceptives

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

Immorality of Acting Against Human Goods

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

Direct Sterilization

An act whose sole and immediate purpose is to destroy the procreativity of the person sterilized; intrinsically immoral.