Moral Theology Courses

MTH 511 Fundamental Moral Theology Required Theology II

An investigation of the elements of Catholic moral teaching in the magisterial documents of the Church, particularly in the documents of the Second Vatican Council, in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and in the Encyclical Veritatis Splendor. Envisioned outcomes: an understanding of the influence of Scripture, especially the Pauline letters and the Sermon on the Mount, on Christian ethics; an understanding of the moral teaching of St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas, particularly on the relationship among virtues, grace, and law; an understanding of the influence of nominalism on contemporary moral theology; and an understanding of the relationship among freedom, conscience, and truth. Format: lecture and discussion. Richard; three semester hours

MTH 512 Social Ethics Required Theology IV

An investigation of the meaning of justice in Catholic tradition, teaching, and theology. Envisioned outcomes: an understanding, based in Tradition and Scripture, of the good of the human person in relation to society and the common good; an understanding of the meaning of the virtue of justice in the thought of St. Thomas; a familiarity and conversance with the social encyclicals and the social teaching of the Second Vatican Council; a thorough knowledge of the natural law on the issues of labor and capital, private property, and the universal destination of created goods. Format: lecture and discussion. Henke; two semester hours

MTH 513 Marriage, the Family, and Human Sexuality Required Theology III

An investigation of authentic Catholic thought on the family and human sexuality, and an introduction to Natural Family Planning for clergy. Envisioned outcomes; a familiarity with the anatomy, physiology, and theology of the body in the context of conjugal love; a knowledge and understanding of the virtues of family life and sexuality as found in Tradition and Scripture, and as presented in the teaching documents of the Church; an understanding of the relationship between conscience and truth in sexual ethics; an understanding of the relationship between life and love in sexuality and marriage, with special emphasis on the role of the modern science of Natural Family Planning in the maintenance of the conjugal relationship. This course is conducted in collaboration with the Pope Paul VI Institute for the Study of Human Reproduction, Omaha, Nebraska, the leading center for the scientific study of NFP in the United States. Medical consultants, educators, and practitioners of Natural Family Planning participate in the presentation of materials. At the conclusion of the course, students will receive a certificate issued jointly by Kenrick School of Theology and the Pope Paul VI Institute, Omaha. Course format: lecture and discussion. Henke; three semester hours

MTH 514 Medical Ethics Required Theology IV

An in-depth investigation of contemporary issues in medical ethics: reproductive technologies; euthanasia; genetic engineering; justice as a medical issue; the question of cooperation with evil. Envisioned outcomes: an understanding of the presuppositions for theological dialogue with the medical sciences; an understanding of the technological advances that make such dialogue necessary; a familiarity and conversance with the structure of the human act, with natural law, and with the nature of theological argumentation; an ability to evaluate and to make prudential moral decisions in complex medical situations; an ability to assist others who must make such decisions. Format: lecture and discussion. Richard; three semester hours

MTH 551 Religion, Morality, and U.S. Law

An in-depth investigation of fundamental issues in the area of civil liberties and public morality, including such topics as: the formation of virtue in civil society; the role of religion in public discourse; the formation and interpretation of civil law; the role of morality in the formation of law, as variously viewed from the classical tradition of natural law and from the contemporary liberal and positivist tradition. Envisioned outcomes: an articulation of a perfective theory of freedom, rooted both in Catholic theology and in the context of pluralistic culture (see the Catechism of the Catholic Church 1741). Format: lecture and discussion. Staff; two semester hours

MTH 565 Pastoral Cases in Moral Theology

An introduction to methods for resolving complicated moral issues in pastoral practice. The course will cover pastoral issues that involve fundamental moral principles, the gravity of sin, and the culpability for evil in pastoral situations. Envisioned outcomes: gain experience and confidence in thinking about pastoral practice related to the application of moral principles in difficult situations; increase familiarity with methods demonstrating the tried and true application of the moral law in cases of conflicting goods, such as the principle of double effect and cooperation; gain insight into how the virtues can be used as part of one’s knowledge-base in pastoral ministry. Format: the course will be an opportunity to integrate knowledge and skills already learned, so there will be some lecture; however, most of class time will be devoted to discussion and opportunities for students to respond pastorally to moral issues presented in class. Richard; two semester hours

MTH 571 Evangelium Vitae and Respect for Human Life: Evangelizing the Culture of Death

An overview of moral and cultural questions raised in the encyclical Evangelium Vitae and skills necessary for promotion of a culture of life and love. Envisioned outcomes: focused knowledge of the circumstances surrounding the practice of abortion, euthanasia, and the death penalty in the United States; in-depth knowledge of the response of Evangelium Vitae to the culture of death; knowledge of techniques for promoting respect for life through educational, legislative, and pastoral means. Format: lectures, discussion, guest speakers, and simulations. Harvath and Richard; two semester hours

MTH 586 Marriage Preparation

A practical study of methods, materials, and skills necessary for effective preparation for marriage in the Church with reference to the fields of pastoral counseling, canon law, moral theology, dogmatic theology and liturgy. Envisioned outcomes: a preparation for effective canonical pre-nuptial investigation and evaluation of a couple’s readiness for marriage; preparation to identify effectively psychosocial concerns that affect a marriage; ability to respond to any catechetical needs regarding marriage, its moral meaning and sacramentality, and the celebration and meaning of the liturgical rite. Format: synthesis and application of information from the various theological and pastoral disciplines through the use of case studies and simulated preparation couples on representative topics. Richard, Ramacciotti and Harvath; two semester hours