Church, State, Morality and Law

Every society has to face the problem of the embodiment of its values in its laws. And where there are diverse moral value systems, the question is inevitably whose values are to be represented in legislation? The objective of this book is to outline an approach from within Roman Catholic theology which would offer the possibility of a coherent and consistent framework of response. In summary, it looks at how a Catholic is supposed to vote on certain types of issues involving morality and the law. Commencing with a discussion of the general relationship between religion and morality, and morality and law, the author then moves to a consideration of morality in the New Testament and what the young Church made of its relationship with civil society. The present self-understanding of the Church and the nature and function of its teaching authority are discussed before detailed consideration is given to the role of individual conscience.