FUNDAMENTAL MORAL THEOLOGY ONE

Lecturer Rev. Dr. David K. Mbugua

Description:

This course explores fundamental concepts, values, principle and patterns of thinking which
have formed the tradition of Roman Catholic moral theology, and acts as foundation of understanding
of moral issues in our world today. The course will study critically: Nature and function of catholic
moral theology, historical evolution of moral Theology, Scripture as source in moral theology; Human
person as moral being; Moral reasoning and Human acts; Conscience its and formation as subjective
criteria of moral judgment; Natural law and moral norms as objective criteria for moral judgment; Sin,
virtue and fundamental option. Since moral theology is fundamentally a discipline of practical
reasoning: these concepts will be addressed in the context of concrete moral cases and issues as well
as at the abstract and theoretical level.

Aim of the Course:

The aim of this course is to help the student construct a theological framework for moral
decision-making in the Roman Catholic tradition, to help them employ this framework to address
particular moral cases and issues of importance in our society today and finally to help the student
bring this construction into dialogue with other forms of moral reasoning that influence moral debate
in the Church and society.

Learning Objectives:

1. By the end of this course we expect that the student will have an understanding of the
salient (important) features of Roman Catholic moral theology.
2. The student will be able to demonstrate an ability to articulate a thoughtful stance in
response to pastorally-relevant moral case.
3. The student will be able recognize and assess the strengths and weaknesses of various
modes of moral reasoning.

Outline

1. Introduction: Fundamental Moral theology

2. Nature and Function of Morality
3. Moral Theology as discipline
4. Historical Evolution of Catholic Moral Theology
5. Sources of moral theology: Biblical foundation of Moral Theology.
6. Human Person as Moral agent
7. Concept and Nature of Human Moral act
8. Conscience as Subjective criteria for Judging morality of an act
9. African in perspective of moral theology
Teaching Methodology
 The class will be presented in lecture form and discussions with opportunities for students to
ask questions whenever they are in doubt. PowerPoint will be used to help student grasp
ideas.
Evaluation
 The student evaluation will be based on written CAT, a research paper and Final Exam.

Class Attendance
 Class attendance is required.  Students planning to be absent should personally contact the
instructor prior to the absence, if possible.

Instruction Materials

 Student are required to make their own notes

Documents:
o Catechism of the Catholic Church.  Part III. ##1691-2082
o Veritatis splendor.

Class organization:  NB The lecturer reserves the right to make changes in this schedule of
topics, readings, and tasks.  Any changes will be minor and announced in advance

Selected Bibliography
1. Bohr David, Catholic Moral Tradition, Indiana, Our Sunday Visitor Pub, 1990
2. Curran, C. E., and R. McCormick., eds. Readings in Moral Theology. 14 vols. New
York: Paulist Press, 1980-2002.
3. Griesez, G. The Way of the Lord Jesus. 3 vols. Chicago: Franciscan Herald Press, 1983-
1997.
4. Gula, R. Reason Informed by Faith: Foundations of Christian Morality. New York:
Paulist Press, 1989.
5. Gula, R. The Good Life: Where Morality and Spirituality Converge. New York: Paulist
Press, 1999.
6. Haring Bernard, 3 vol. Free and Faithful in Christ, Law of Christ
7. John Paul II. Veritatis Splendor. Encyclical Letter. 1993.
8. Kennedy, T. Doers of the Word: Moral Theology for the Third Millennium. Liguori:
Triumph Books, 1996.
9. Lucie-S, Alexander. Foundations of Moral Theology, Nairobi 2006.
10. Mahoney, John. The Making of Moral Theology, Oxford 1990
11. May, William E. An Introduction to Moral Theology, Huntington 1994.
12. O’Connell, T. E. Making Disciples: A Handbook for Christian Moral Formation. New York:
Crossroad Publishing, 1998.
13. Peschke, C. Henry. Christian Ethics, Bangalore 1981, vol. 1 and 2
14. Pinckaers, S. The Sources of Christian Ethics. Translated by M. T. Noble. Washington, DC:
Catholic University of America Press, 1995.
15. Pontifical Biblical Commission, The Bible and Morality 2009
 Date Topic Reading / Assignment

Introduction to the
Week one
course?

Gula, R. Reason Informed by Faith: Foundations of

Nature and Function of Christian Morality pp 9-39, Veritatis Splendor §§ 1-
Week two
moral theology 27, Catechism of the Catholic Church.  Part III.
##1691-2082 R.

Week three Historical Evolution of Pinckaers, S. The Sources of Christian Ethics:

to four Moral Theology Mahoney, John. The Making of Moral Theology,

Sources of moral
Week five theology. Biblical Pontifical Biblical Commission, The Bible and
and six foundation of Moral Morality
Theology

Week Seven Human person as moral

David Bohr Catholic Moral Tradition
and Eight Agent

CAT

O’Connell, T. E. Making Disciples: A Handbook for

Week 9-10 Nature of Human act Christian Moral Formation.William E. May
Introduction to Moral theology

Conscience and its William E. May Introduction to Moral theology,

Week 10-12
formation Richard Rwiza, Formation of African Conscience

Natural Law objective

Week
criteria of judging moral
thirteen
act

Week
Revision and handing in research paper
fourteen