NIHIL OBSTAT Meaning and
Definition
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Nihil Obstat is a Latin phrase that literally translates to "nothing hinder" or "nothing obstructs." It is a term commonly used in the Roman Catholic Church to indicate an official declaration of approval or permission.
In Catholicism, before a book or other written material can be published with a religious topic or content, it must undergo a process of review and approval by Church authorities to ensure its orthodoxy and adherence to the teachings of the Church. This review is performed by a censor or theologian who examines the material for any errors or contradictions to Catholic doctrine.
When a book successfully passes this examination, a nihil obstat is granted, indicating that no doctrinal obstacles have been found. It is essentially a certification of the book's orthodoxy and suitability for publication within the Catholic Church. The nihil obstat does not indicate an endorsement of the book's content, but rather affirms that it is free from doctrinal errors.
The nihil obstat is typically granted by diocesan authorities, such as a bishop or a bishop's delegate, and is often followed by another approval known as the imprimatur, which is granted by a higher authority, usually the bishop himself. Together, the nihil obstat and imprimatur provide an assurance to the faithful that the book may be read without fear of deviating from Church teachings.
Overall, nihil obstat is a Latin term used in the Catholic Church to denote an official approval granted to written material, ensuring its conformity to Catholic doctrine.
Common Misspellings for NIHIL OBSTAT
- bihil obstat
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- jihil obstat
- hihil obstat
- nuhil obstat
- njhil obstat
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- nibil obstat
- ninil obstat
- nijil obstat
- niuil obstat
- niyil obstat
- nihul obstat
- nihjl obstat
- nihkl obstat
Etymology of NIHIL OBSTAT
"Nihil Obstat" is a Latin phrase that literally translates to "nothing obstructs" or "nothing stands in the way".
The term originated in the Catholic Church, particularly in relation to the process of approving religious texts for publication. When a book or document is submitted for review, an official known as a censor or censor librorum examines it to ensure that it does not contain any moral or doctrinal errors. If the censor determines that the text is free from such errors, they issue a declaration stating "nihil obstat", indicating that nothing obstructs or stands in the way of its publication.
The phrase has its roots in Latin legal terminology. "Nihil" means "nothing" in Latin, and "obstat" is derived from the verb "obstare", meaning "to obstruct" or "to stand against".
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