Preview of Imprimatur and Nihil obstat on the title page of an approved book
Imprimatur (literally: printed) is the Latin name for the official consent of a bishop of the Catholic Church, necessary for printing writings such as Bible texts, books on theology, church history or church law and devotions, with or without prayers. Previously, the Latin term evulgetur was also used (it was issued). With the imprimature, the Catholic Church indicates that a work may be issued because it does not violate faith and the Catholic doctrines, so that believers can read it without objection. The imprimatur does not mean that the entire content of the script is approved.
Canones 822 to 832 of the 1983 Canon Law Act contain the guidelines on social communication and publishing of books. There are specific rules for publishing liturgical books. Purpose and operation
The imprimatur is a preventive measure aimed at preserving the faith tax. In this way, the Church can prevent heresy and criticism of the doctrine. During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, the spread of Christianity in Europe and the influence of the Church were such that in many countries no script could be published without imprimatur. The imprimatur is being used today, even to a lesser extent than before. Procedure
In principle, any work written by Catholics to the Church must be submitted. First, the church censor reads the script in the diocese of the author. If he finds nothing contrary to Catholic teaching and faith, he puts the stamp nil obstat (Latin, literally: nothing is in the way), which the censor indicates that there are no barriers to publication. Then he refers to the bishop, which imparts the imprimatur: the actual approval of the work.
If the work has been written by a spiritual self, the Church has extra control. Before submitting the piece to the censor, the author will first read the work to his superior reading (ie, the spiritual above him in the church hierarchy). This must also be given permission by imprimi potest (Latin: it can be printed). Then the censor and bishop must also give their respective nil obstat and imprimatur.
The stamp of imprimatur and nil obstat are usually found on one of the first pages of the book, followed by the name and title of the church censor. In older books one finds the nil obstat and the subsequent evulgetur sometimes printed at the back of the book. Also see
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