Nihil obstat

Nihil obstat (Latin for "nothing hinders" or "nothing stands in the way")[1] is a phrase traditionally used by Catholic Church authorities to formally declare that there is no objection to the publication of a book, or to some other proposed action.

An imprimi potest, a nihil obstat and an imprimatur (by Richard Cushing) on a book published by Random House in 1953. The book in question is the English translation by Louis J. Gallagher of De Christiana expeditione apud Sinas by Matteo Ricci and Nicolas Trigault.

Publishing

The phrase nihil obstat is used by a cleric, of the Catholic Church, known as a Censor Librorum, to indicate that a book contains nothing contrary to Catholic doctrines, faith, or morals.[1] Canon law requires this approval for the publication of books by faithful Catholics if they "touch upon matters of faith and morals", and requires that pastors enforce this rule.[2] The Censor librorum (Latin for "censor of books") is delegated by a bishop of the Catholic Church. The Censor Librorum reviews the text in question, a process that in the modern era is roughly two months long.[3] If an author is a member of a religious institute (such as a monastery), and if the book concerns religion or morals, then canon law requires obtaining the imprimi potest ("it can be printed") of the major superior before publication.[4] The bishop of the author's diocese or of the place of publication (such as a publishing company) gives the final approval by the declaration known as the imprimatur ("let it be printed").[5]

Marriage

A nihil obstat also refers the document declaring that someone is free to marry due to lack of form in the previous marriage. It can also refer to a document of dispensation from certain impediments to marriage in the Catholic Church.

See also

References
  1. The America Heritage Dictionary, archived from the original on 9 March 2007, retrieved 30 July 2009
  2. Canon 823, section 1
  3. Office of the Archbishop of Denver (1 January 2015). "Imprimatur Process". Denver: Archdiocese of Denver. Archived from the original on 11 August 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  4. "Code of Canon Law, canon 832". Intratext.com. 4 May 2007. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
  5. "Code of Canon Law, canon 824". Intratext.com. 4 May 2007. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
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