CHAPTER 5

CHURCH TEACHING AS
GUIDE TO MORAL LIVING
 NATURAL LAW

A system of law based on a close observation on human behavior, and

based on values intrinsic to human nature that can be deduced and
applied independent of positive law. Maintains that these rules of right
and wrong are inherent in people and are not created by society or court
judges.
 LIVING OUT THE NATURAL LAW

The catholic church has interpreted natural law and implemented it over
time has changed, and so it is important to understand how these
changes are made and decided.
 MAGISTERIUM
• "magister" – teacher
• is the official teaching body of the Catholic church
• composed of pope and the bishops from all over the world
• "ex cathedra" - from the chair.
 A. POPE

B. CARDINALS

C. ARCHBISHOPS

HIERARCHY OF D. BISHOPS
THE CATHOLIC
E. PRIESTS
CHURCH
F. DEACONS

G. LAITY
 ROLES OF THE MAGISTERIUM

• continue the teachings of Jesus

• ensures that all who are trying to teach the message of Jesus are doing
it authentically

• holds equal authority to the scriptures

 INFALLIBILITY
• “Infallible” – always correct and incapable of being wrong
• what the pope says is infallible

• Papal Infallibility

• the pope must explicitly express that he is teaching ex cathedra

 SENSUS FIDEI

• Grace that helps the faithful make good moral decision

• Individual Ability

• Supernatural Instinct

• Sensus Fidelium -> not a "majority rules" mentality (IMPORTANT TO

NOTE)
 DISPOSITION NEEDED IN ORDER TO
PARTICIPATE IN THE SENSUS FIDELIUM
1. Participation in the life of church
2. Listening to the word of God
3. Openness to reason and dialogue
4. Adherence to the magisterium
5. Holiness
6. Seeking the edification of the people of God
• Relationship of magisterium and laity

• Humanae vitae

Though tensions and conflicts may not immediately be resolved, the

reflection and dialogue between the laity and magisterium hopefully can
point towards the reason for resisting the teaching, and what this implies
for the church’s moral teaching.
 CONCLUSION

Catholic moral theology acknowledges the presence of natural law and

seeks to discern this moral order as a way of understanding the moral
claims.

Bringing together natural law, the magisterium, and the sensus fidei as
important aspects of guiding one’s judgment is a complex process, at
times filled with tension and ambiguity.
 THANK YOU ☺

Leader:
Partosa, Lovely Dawn M.

Members:
Caballes, Cherry
Caputol, Alchanemae
Eredia, Khriska
Mahusay, Lovely Mae
Catubig, Jose Fernan
Valderrama, Kristian Jan