Moral Teaching II (Special) — Study Aids

These pages summarize the material needed to study for Catholic Moral Teaching (Part II) review questions. They are based on Section II of Catholic Morality by Fr. John Laux and the Baltimore Catechism.

The primary book used as a reference for the Moral Teaching units is Chief Truths of the Faith by Fr. John Laux (1932). Most questions for Part II are based on the second section 'Special Moral'. Reading assignments are given below.

Catholic Morality     by Rev. Fr. John Laux
A brief but complete book on traditional Catholic morality. Covers every basic aspect—the purpose of life, free will, the Natural Law, positive divine law, human positive laws, elements of a moral act, virtues, Christian perfections, Evangelical Counsels, nature of sin, kinds of sin, duties toward God, ourselves, our neighbor, the family, state, Church, etc.

Reading Assignment: Section I—Special, Chapters 1 to 4, pp 50-160
Introduction, (1) Duties to God: Theological and Religious Virtues, (2) Duties to Ourselves: Proper conduct, Chastity, (3) Duties to Neighbor: Commandments,Charity, (4) Duties to Family, State, and Church

The Catechisms listed below are in the public domain and are available in electronic form online or as an ebook. The Baltimore Catechmism No. 3 is intended for high school students and includes more questions and substantially longer explanations than Numbers 1 and 2.

Baltimore Catechism - Volume 3   by T. Kinkead
The Baltimore Catechism is an official national catechism for children in the United States and Volume 3 is suitable for high schoolers and those who have received their confirmation. It reviews material from volume 2, but includes additional questions, definitions, examples, and applications.

Reading Assignment: Chapters 7, 30-36
(7) Sin and its Kinds, (30) On the Commandments of God, (31) 1st Commandment, (33) 2nd and 3rd Commandments, (34) 4th to 6th Commandments, (35) 7th to 10th Commandments, (36) Precepts of the Church

Compendium: Catechism of the Catholic Church     by USCCB (2005)
The Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church is a summary of the 1992 version of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It was developed under the direction of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI), then head of the CD. The Compendium is organized into the same divisions as the Catechism, but the simplified Question and Answer format is more appropriate for high school level study and review.

Reading Assignment:     Part III, Life in Christ: Section I
(3-II) Ten Commandments (3-II-1) Love the Lord (1st to 3rd Commandments) (3-II-2) Love Your Neighbor as Yourself (4th to 10th Commandments)

Explanation of Catholic Morals  by J. Stapleton
This book is a collection of 100 short, popular essays on Catholic Morality were that were originally published in a magazine form. The essays assume a basic knowledge of Catholic moral teachings, and seek to explain the purpose and reasoning behind the moral principles adhered to by the Church.

Two important videos for the Moral Teaching division are from Thomas Wood's Catholic Church - Builder of Civilization series. These are essential viewing.

• Catholic Church — Builder of Civilization: Western Morality (30 minutes)
  This discusses Catholic morality, not in terms of natural law, but rather in the positive effects it has had in civilizing Western Culture. It shows how concepts of natural rights, lifetime marriage, the sanctity of life, the inherent dignity of all human life, Christian charity and the commandments transformed pagan culture.
• Catholic Church — Builder of Civilization: Charity (30 minutes)
  This video is from the same series, but focuses on the manner in which Christian Charity trasformed Western Civilization. It covers many topics other than monks, but it does emphasize the role that monasteries played in offering services such as inns, schools, hospitals, libararies, alms, and spiritual care for people of the middle ages.