''Nihil obstat'' (

Latin Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic languages, Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through ...

for "nothing hinders" or "nothing stands in the way") is a declaration of no objection that warrants censoring of a book, e.g.,

Catholic The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...

published books, to an initiative, or an appointment.

Publishing

The phrase ''nihil obstat'' is used by a cleric, of the

Catholic Church The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwide . It is am ...

, known as a ''Censor Librorum'', to indicate that a book contains nothing contrary to Catholic doctrines, faith, or morals.

Canon law Canon law (from grc, κανών, , a 'straight measuring rod, ruler') is a set of ordinances and regulations made by ecclesiastical authority (church leadership) for the government of a Christian organization or church and its members. It is t ...

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. The ''Censor librorum'' (Latin for "censor of books") is delegated by a

bishop A bishop is an ordained clergy member who is entrusted with a position of authority and oversight in a religious institution. In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance of dioceses. The role or office of bishop is ...

of the

. The ''Censor Librorum'' reviews the text in question, a process that in the modern era is roughly two months long. If an author is a member of a

religious institute A religious institute is a type of institute of consecrated life in the Catholic Church whose members take religious vows and lead a life in community with fellow members. Religious institutes are one of the two types of institutes of consecrat ...

(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. 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 An ''imprimatur'' (sometimes abbreviated as ''impr.'', from Latin, "let it be printed") is a declaration authorizing publication of a book. The term is also applied loosely to any mark of approval or endorsement. The imprimatur rule in the R ...

'' ("let it be printed").

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.

References

External links

Code of Canon Law, The Means of Social Communication and Books in Particular (canons 822-832)

Catholic theology and doctrine Latin religious words and phrases Censorship in Christianity {{Latin-vocab-stub

Publishing

Marriage

See also

References

External links