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Tuesday, July 9, 2019

What Is Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur in Roman Catholic Books?

Nihil Obstat & Imprimatur in Roman Catholic Books
blogpost by Mary Katherine May of QualityMusicandBooks.com

The nihil obstat and imprimatur are official declarations that a book or pamphlet is free of doctrinal or moral error. No implication is contained therein that those who have granted the nihil obstat and imprimatur agree with the contents, opinions or statements expressed. 
(Statement taken from the book, The Cross in the West by Mark Boesch.)

Literal Translations
Nihil Obstat: Nothing hinders, or nothing stands in the way.

Imprimatur: Let it be printed.
Imprimi Potest: May it be printed.

What Is the Roman Catholic Teaching?
Roman Catholic Canon Law 823
The Teaching Function of the Church: Instruments of Social Communication and Books in Particular


1. In order to preserve the integrity of the truths of faith and morals, the pastors of the Church have the duty and right to be watchful so that no harm is done to the faith or morals of the Christian faithful through writings or the use of instruments of social communication. 

They also have the duty and right to demand that writings to be published by the Christian faithful which touch upon faith or morals be submitted to their judgment and have the duty and right to condemn writings which harm correct faith or good morals. (Link: Canon Law 823)

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