Imprimatur is the Catholic Church’s official license for publication of a literary work. Actually it was exercised not only in publishing, but reading too. In my hostel life in a Catholic College there were restrictions even on reading News Magazines imparting knowledge. Even Bible except the New Testament was taboo in many hostels. Still students used to bring in stealthily those publications and read it, but hiding it from the Priestly wardens. Do you approve of such restrictions on freedom of expressions of thoughts by liberals and the reading public?
2007-10-20 01:39:02 · 2 answers · asked by Nimit 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
All an Imprinatur is, is an official declaration that the subject matter involved conforms to the teachings of the Church. For example, say I buy a book that claims to be an authoritiative book on the interpretation of a particular book of the New Testament. If that book has an Imprimatur, that means that it conforms to what the Catholic Church teaches about the particular subject matter of that book. Religious books without Imprimatur are written all of the time. They aren't necessarily "forbidden books". It's more like, go ahead and read it if you want, but "buyer beware". It may contain some concepts or ideas that are out of line with Church teachings.
Popular news magazines, etc. do not need this because for the most part they do not deal with theological teachings or questions.
2007-10-20 02:03:07 · answer #1 · answered by the phantom 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Imprimatur is Latin for "let it be printed." When a Roman Catholic bishop grants his imprimatur to a printed work, he assures the reader that nothing therein is contrary to Catholic faith or morals. This imprimatur is not given lightly; only after a thorough review process
The faith of the laity has to be protected from errors and it is the Bishop`s responsibility to make sure this happens..
2007-10-20 08:49:09 · answer #2 · answered by Sentinel 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋