Explanation of Catholic Morals A Concise, Reasoned, and Popular Exposition of Catholic Morals

by John H. (John Henry) Stapleton

This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.

Genres: Catholic, Religion

130 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 24, 2011

Reviews

[Galicius · Rating 3 out of 5]

15 Envy: To overcome envy, we must acknowledge it and humble ourselves.

35 Christian Science: “A RECENTLY discovered sin against the First Commandment is the worship of Mrs. Eddy, and it is commonly called Christian Science. This sacrilegious humbug was conceived in the brain of an old woman up in New Hampshire and, like the little demon of error that it is, it leaped forth, after a long period of travail, full-fledged and panoplied . . ."

87 Contumely"
The act of unjustly dishonoring another in his presence. It corresponds to what is popularly called an insult. But, does it equally apply in politics. Political columnist Mona Charen expressed the opinion that then-President Bush had not only been criticized by those on the left of the political spectrum, but had "also suffered the contumely of some on the right and of seemingly everyone in the center."

92 Mendacity: From a Christian standpoint, sin separates us from God and each other. Jesus’ resurrection empowers believers to fight against sin. While not all lies are sinful, deliberate deceit can harm relationships and undermine trust.

In summary, mendacity is often seen as a moral transgression because it erodes trust, damages relationships, and obscures truth. However, context matters, and sometimes a compassionate lie may serve a greater purpose. Ultimately, the evaluation of mendacity depends on individual beliefs and cultural norms.

[Ed Barton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Old School Catholic Teachings

About 100 years old, the book provides insights and teachings on the theology of the Roman Catholic Church around the turn of the last Century. A bit of fire and brimstone, there’s plenty to think about and while the language may have softened, the teachings haven’t. A tough team in the 21st Century, but one that provides knowledge and perspective.

[Susan Molloy · Rating 5 out of 5]

🖋️ This excellent book is in line with Catholic teachings. It is a wonderfully written tome on morals and how to lead a holy life which we are commanded to do. The contents of this volume appeared originally in The Catholic Transcript, of Hartford, Connecticut, in weekly installments, from February, 1901, to February, 1903.

Indeed, “our neighbor is all mankind, those far and those near, those who have blessed us and those who have wronged us, the enemy as well as the friend; all who have within them, as we have, the image and likeness of God. No human being can we put outside the pale of neighborly love.” This should be required reading in all families to help parents to further guide their children in good morality and holiness. I enjoyed reading this book, and it is for everyone.

Rev John H Stapleton

CONTENTS:
I. Believing and Doing
II. The Moral Agent
III. Conscience
IV. Laxity and Scruples
V. The Law of God and Its Breach
VI. Sin
VII. How to Count Sins
VIII. Capital Sins
IX. Pride
X. Covetousness
XI. Lust
XII. Anger
XIII. Gluttony
XIV. Drink
XV. Envy
XVI. Sloth
XVII. What We Believe
XVIII. Why We Believe
XIX. Whence Our Belief: Reason
XX. Whence Our Belief: Grace and Will
XXI. How We Believe
XXII. Faith and Error
XXIII. The Consistent Believer
XXIV. Unbelief
XXV. How Faith May Be Lost
XXVI. Hope
XXVII. Love of God
XXVIII. Love of Neighbor
XXIX. Prayer
XXX. Petition
XXXI. Religion
XXXII. Devotions
XXXIII. Idolatry and Superstition
XXXIV. Occultism
XXXV. Christian Science
XXXVI. Swearing
XXXVII. Oaths
XXXVIII. Vows
XL. The Professional Vow
XLI. The Profession
XLII. The Religious
XLIII. The Vow of Poverty
XLIV. The Vow of Obedience
XLV. The Vow of Chastity
XLVI. Blasphemy
XLVII. Cursing
XLVIII. Profanity
XLIX. The Law of Rest
L. The Day of Rest
LI. Keeping the Lord's Day Holy
LII. Worship of Sacrifice
LIII. Worship of Rest
LIV. Servile Works
LV. Common Works
LVI. Parental Dignity
LVII. Filial Respect
LVIII. Filial Love
LIX. Authority and Obedience
LX. Should We Help Our Parents?
LXI. Disinterested Love in Parents
LXII. Educate the Children
LXIII. Educational Extravagance
LXIV. Godless Education
LXV. Catholic Schools
LXVI. Some Weak Points in the Catholic School System
LXVII. Correction
LXVIII. Justice and Rights
LXIX. Homicide
LXX. Is Suicide a Sin?
LXXI. Self-Defense
LXXII. Murder Often Sanctioned
LXXIII. On the Ethics of War
LXXIV. The Massacre of the Innocents
LXXV. Enmity
LXXVI. Our Enemies
LXXVII. Immorality
LXXVIII. The Sink of Iniquity
LXXIX. Wherein Nature Is Opposed
LXXX. Hearts
LXXXI. Occasions
LXXXII. Scandal
LXXXIII. Not Good to Be Alone
LXXXIV. A Helping Hand
LXXXV. Thou Shalt Not Steal
LXXXVI. Petty Thefts
LXXXVII. An Oft Exploited, But Specious Plea
LXXXVIII. Contumely
LXXXIX. Defamation
XC. Detraction
XCI. Calumny
XCII. Rash Judgment
XCIII. Mendacity
XCIV. Concealing the Truth
XCV. Restitution
XCVI. Undoing the Evil
XCVII. Paying Back
XCVIII. Getting Rid of Ill-Gotten Goods
XCIX. What Excuses from Restitution
XCX. Debts

📕Published — 1904/1913.

🟢The e-book version can be read on Project Gutenberg
🟣Kindle.

🪦More information on Rev. Father John H. Stapleton can be found on this link at Find a Grave .
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🔲 Excerpts of note:

🔹Profanity is certainly a sin, sometimes a grievous sin; but in our humble opinion, the fiat of self-righteous Pharisaism to the contrary notwithstanding, it is a few hundred times oftener no sin at all, or a very white sin, than the awful crime some people see in it. If a fellow could quote classical "Mehercule," and Shakespearean cuss-words, he would not perhaps be so vulgar as to say "hell."

🔹If we thought more of God and less of ourselves we would never sin. The sinner lives for himself first, and for God afterwards.

🔸SPIRITISM as a theory, a science, a practice, a religion, or—I might add—a profitable business venture, is considered an evil thing by the Church, and by her is condemned as superstition, that is, as a false and unworthy homage to God, belittling His majesty and opposed to the Dispensation of Christ, according to which alone God can be worthily honored. This evil has many names; it includes all dabbling in the supernatural against the sanction of Church authority, and runs a whole gamut of "isms" from fake trance-mediums to downright diabolical possession.

From the frontispiece:

⭐️1913 Nihil Obstat. REMY LAFORT, Censor Librorum. Imprimatur JOHN M. FARLEY, Archbishop of New York. NEW YORK, MARCH 25, 1904 Copyright, 1904, by BENZINGER BROTHERS. PREFACE THE contents of this volume appeared originally in The Catholic Transcript, of Hartford, Connecticut, in weekly installments, from February, 1901, to February, 1903.

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[Doreen Petersen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Although I do enjoy reading books like this one I gave it 1 star as I found some opinions of the author very troubling and not in keeping with Catholic teachings.