Why Does the Office of the Censor of Books Exist?:
“The diocesan or eparchial bishop is, for the people entrusted to him, a source of unity within the diocese or eparchy and an authoritative teacher of the faith. The responsibility of authorizing written materials that treat questions of faith and morals is one aspect of the bishop’s unique role as pastor and teacher, and an important way in which he exercises his supervisory function over the ministry of the Word.”
(From The Permission to Publish: A Resource for Diocesan and Eparchial Bishops on the Approvals Needed to Publish Various Kinds of Written Works, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2004).
The Censors exist to assist the Diocesan Bishop in his role as the prime teacher of the faith in the Diocese.
Mission of the Office of the Censors:
According to the 1992 Instruction from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, “ecclesiastical permission or approval presupposes that the censor or censors found nothing objectionable; it guarantees that the writing in question contains nothing contrary to the Church’s authentic Magisterium on faith or morals; and it attests that all the pertinent prescriptions of canon law have been fulfilled.”63 Within the Latin Catholic Church, in those instances where per- mission or approval is required prior to the use of certain works, the reception of ecclesiastical authorization has the added effect of permitting such usage, e.g., as a textbook in Catholic schools or as a writing to be exhibited, sold, or distributed in churches or oratories.”
(From The Permission to Publish: A Resource for Diocesan and Eparchial Bishops on the Approvals Needed to Publish Various Kinds of Written Works, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2004).
Who are the Censors?
Rev. Michael J.S. Bruno, S.T.D., is Dean of Seminarians and Professor of Church History at Saint Joseph’s Seminary and College (Dunwoodie), Yonkers, New York. He holds the Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Lateran University, Rome, Italy.
Rev. John P. Cush, S.T.D. is Director of Seminarian Admissions and Recruitment and Professor of Dogmatic Theology at Saint Joseph’s Seminary and College (Dunwoodie), Yonkers, New York. He holds the Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, Italy.
Rev. Msgr. John J. Strynkowski, S.T.D., is Rector-Emeritus of the Cathedral-Basilica of Saint James in Brooklyn, New York. He holds the Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, Italy.
What are the qualifications of Censors?
“By (Canon) law, however, all persons who are appointed as censors by the local ordinary or hierarch must be ‘outstanding in knowledge, correct doctrine, and prudence.’ They should be notably conversant in Catholic theology and morals in order that they may properly distinguish between matters of private opinion and authentic teaching. Depending upon the nature of the work that is submit- ted, it may also be imperative that the censor possess added expertise (such as may be required, for example, when reviewing texts pertaining to Sacred Scripture, canon law, or the like). Additional personal characteristics may be advantageous when considering persons for appointment to the office of censor. Censors, for example, ought to be persons who are reliable and who are known to be impartial, who are respected by their peers for their probity and maturity of judgment, and who have the ability to act temperately, expediently (as a matter of justice), and out of respect for the common good.”
(From The Permission to Publish: A Resource for Diocesan and Eparchial Bishops on the Approvals Needed to Publish Various Kinds of Written Works, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2004).