''Moral Theology'' (also known as the ''Theologia Moralis'') is a nine-volume work concerning

Catholic moral theology Catholic moral theology is a major category of doctrine in the Catholic Church, equivalent to a religious ethics. Moral theology encompasses Catholic social teaching, Catholic medical ethics, sexual ethics, and various doctrines on individua ...

written between 1748 and 1785 by

Alphonsus Liguori Alphonsus Liguori, CSsR (27 September 1696 – 1 August 1787), sometimes called Alphonsus Maria de Liguori or Saint Alphonsus Liguori, was an Italian Catholic bishop, spiritual writer, composer, musician, artist, poet, lawyer, scholastic philosop ...

, a Catholic theologian and

Doctor of the Church Doctor of the Church (Latin: ''doctor'' "teacher"), also referred to as Doctor of the Universal Church (Latin: ''Doctor Ecclesiae Universalis''), is a title given by the Catholic Church to saints recognized as having made a significant contribu ...

. This work is not to be confused with ''Theologia moralis universa ad mentem S. Alphonsi'', a 19th-century treatise by Pietro Scavini written in the philosophical tradition of Alphonsus Liguori.

Description

Nine editions of ''Moral Theology'' were published during the author's lifetime, the first of which was released in 1748 and consisted of annotations on a treatise called ''Medulla Theologiae Moralis'' by

Hermann Busenbaum Hermann Busenbaum (or Busembaum) (19 September 160031 January 1668) was a Society of Jesus, Jesuit theologian. He attained fame as a master of casuistry. Biography He was born at Nottuln in Westphalia (Germany). He entered the Jesuit order in 161 ...

, a 17th-century

Jesuit , image = Ihs-logo.svg , image_size = 175px , caption = ChristogramOfficial seal of the Jesuits , abbreviation = SJ , nickname = Jesuits , formation = , founders ...

theologian. After the eighth edition in 1779, Alphonsus considered his work definitive, and in 1785 the ninth edition finalized the book's contents. Since his death, many further editions have been published, including a partially completed English edition from Mediatrix Press, the first volume of which was released in 2017. The contents of each volume of ''Moral Theology'' are listed broadly below: * Volume 1: Preface to the discourse (dissertatio prolegomena), on

conscience Conscience is a cognitive process that elicits emotion and rational associations based on an individual's moral philosophy or value system. Conscience stands in contrast to elicited emotion or thought due to associations based on immediate sens ...

, on laws, on the

theological virtues Theological virtues are virtues associated in Christian theology and philosophy with salvation resulting from the grace of God. Virtues are traits or qualities which dispose one to conduct oneself in a morally good manner. Traditionally they hav ...

, and on the first commandment * Volume 2: On commandments II, III, IV, V, VI, IX and VII, on justice and laws, and on restitution * Volume 3: On contracts, on commandments VIII, IX (again) and X, on the precepts of the church, and on the precepts of the individual * Volume 4: On the

canonical hours In the practice of Christianity, canonical hours mark the divisions of the day in terms of fixed times of prayer at regular intervals. A book of hours, chiefly a breviary, normally contains a version of, or selection from, such prayers. In ...

, on human actions, on sins, on the

sacraments A sacrament is a Christian rite that is recognized as being particularly important and significant. There are various views on the existence and meaning of such rites. Many Christians consider the sacraments to be a visible symbol of the real ...

in general, and on

Baptism Baptism (from grc-x-koine, βάπτισμα, váptisma) is a form of ritual purification—a characteristic of many religions throughout time and geography. In Christianity, it is a Christian sacrament of initiation and adoption, almost inv ...

and

Confirmation In Christian denominations that practice infant baptism, confirmation is seen as the sealing of the covenant created in baptism. Those being confirmed are known as confirmands. For adults, it is an affirmation of belief. It involves laying on ...

* Volume 5: On the

Eucharist The Eucharist (; from Greek , , ), also known as Holy Communion and the Lord's Supper, is a Christian rite that is considered a sacrament in most churches, and as an ordinance in others. According to the New Testament, the rite was instit ...

, on the sacrifice of the mass, and on

Penance Penance is any act or a set of actions done out of Repentance (theology), repentance for Christian views on sin, sins committed, as well as an alternate name for the Catholic Church, Catholic, Lutheran, Eastern Orthodox, and Oriental Orthodox s ...

* Volume 6: On Penance (continued), on

Extreme Unction In the Catholic Church, the anointing of the sick, also known as Extreme Unction, is a Catholic sacrament that is administered to a Catholic "who, having reached the age of reason, begins to be in danger due to sickness or old age", except in t ...

, on Holy Orders, and on

Matrimony Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognized union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children, and between ...

* Volume 7: On

(continued), and on judgments and irregularities * Volume 8: On the practice of confessions, examination of ordinands, summary of moral doctrines and canons from the works of

Benedict XIV Pope Benedict XIV ( la, Benedictus XIV; it, Benedetto XIV; 31 March 1675 – 3 May 1758), born Prospero Lorenzo Lambertini, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 17 August 1740 to his death in May 1758. Pope Be ...

* Volume 9: Episcopal decrees, appendices, general index Mid-19th century and later editions may also include prefatory documents concerning Liguori's life, his beatification and canonization, or his recognition as a Doctor of the Church.

References

{{reflist Christian literature Catholic moral theology