Nihil obstat
{{short description|Latin declaration of no objection}}
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{{use dmy dates |date=September 2020}}
File:Gallagher-1953-imprimatur.jpg}}, a {{lang|la|nihil obstat}} and an {{lang|la|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 {{lang|la|De Christiana expeditione apud Sinas}} by Matteo Ricci and Nicolas Trigault.]]
{{lang|la|Nihil obstat}} (Latin for 'nothing hinders' or 'nothing stands in the way'){{citation|title=The America Heritage Dictionary|url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/nihil%20obstat|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070309043409/http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/nihil%20obstat|access-date=2009-07-30|archive-date=2007-03-09|url-status=live}} is a phrase traditionally used by Catholic Church authorities to formally declare that there is no objection to the publication of a book. It also has other uses.
Publishing
The phrase {{lang|la|nihil obstat}} is used by a Catholic cleric known as a {{lang|la|Censor Librorum}} (Latin for 'censor of books') to indicate that a book contains nothing contrary to Catholic doctrines, faith, or morals. 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.[http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG0017/_P2P.HTM Canon 823, section 1] The {{lang|la|Censor Librorum}} is delegated by a bishop to review the text in question over approximately two months.{{cite web|url=https://archden.org/archbishop/office-archbishop/imprimatur-process/|title=Imprimatur Process|author=Office of the Archbishop of Denver|publisher=Archdiocese of Denver|location=Denver|date=1 January 2015|access-date=22 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811040952/https://archden.org/archbishop/office-archbishop/imprimatur-process/|archive-date=11 August 2020}} If an author is a member of a religious institute, such as a monastery, and the book concerns religion or morals, then canon law further requires the {{lang|la|imprimi potest}} ('it can be printed') of the major superior before publication.{{cite web |url=http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG0017/_P2P.HTM |title=Code of Canon Law, canon 832 |publisher=Intratext.com |date=2007-05-04 |access-date=2013-01-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116122048/http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG0017/_P2P.HTM |archive-date=2013-01-16 |url-status=live }} Finally, the bishop of the author's diocese or of the place of publication gives the final approval, the {{lang|la|imprimatur}} ('let it be printed').{{cite web |url=http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG0017/_P2P.HTM |title=Code of Canon Law, canon 824 |publisher=Intratext.com |date=2007-05-04 |access-date=2013-01-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116122048/http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG0017/_P2P.HTM |archive-date=2013-01-16 |url-status=live }}
Other uses
In the context of canonizations, the phrase is used as an order from the Vatican that "nothing hinders" an investigation of a possible saint's life.{{Cite news |last=Kinstler |first=Linda |date=2024-12-03 |title=Inside the Vatican’s secret saint-making process |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2024/dec/03/miracle-vatican-dicastery-secret-saint-carlo-acutis-pope |access-date=2025-01-09 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} Once this order is given, a diocesan or eparchial tribunal can be formed to investigate the life of the candidate, furthering the process of possible canonization.{{Cite web |title=Saints {{!}} USCCB |url=https://www.usccb.org/offices/public-affairs/saints |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=www.usccb.org |language=en}}
The phrase can also be used by the Vatican in relation to the limited approval of miraculous events, stating that it has no objection to public devotion of these events. One such order was given for Our Lady of Medjugorje in 2024.{{Cite web |title=Vatican sees spiritual value of Medjugorje, doesn't judge it supernatural {{!}} USCCB |url=https://www.usccb.org/news/2024/vatican-sees-spiritual-value-medjugorje-doesnt-judge-it-supernatural |access-date=2025-03-31 |website=www.usccb.org |language=en}}
See also
- {{lang|la|Imprimi permittitur}}
- {{lang|la|Index Librorum Prohibitorum}}
References
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External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20150228015236/http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P2Q.HTM Code of Canon Law, The Means of Social Communication and Books in Particular (canons 822-832)]
- [http://wordsmith.org/words/nihil_obstat.html A Word A Day: nihil obstat]
Category:Catholic theology and doctrine