The Role of the Moral Theologian in the Church: A Proposal in Light of Amoris Laetitia

Authors

Conor M. Kelly, Marquette UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-2016

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Source Publication

Theological Studies

Source ISSN

0040-5639

Original Item ID

DOI: 10.1177/0040563916666824

Abstract

Pope Francis’s apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia recast pastoral decisions in terms of conscience and discernment and asked moral theology to do the same. Such a request invites reforms for moral theology, requiring a shift from the traditional role of the moral theologian as an external judge to a more personalist role as a counselor for conscience. This change entails prioritizing the process of discernment ahead of the definition of rules, specifying the place of the ideal in Catholic morality, and attending to the ethics of ordinary life.

Comments

Accepted version. Theological Studies, Vol. 77, No. 4 (December 2016): 922-948. DOI. © SAGE Publications. Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

Kelly, Conor M., "The Role of the Moral Theologian in the Church: A Proposal in Light of Amoris Laetitia" (2016). Theology Faculty Research and Publications. 829.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/theo_fac/829