The Catholic Church鈥檚 approach to decision making
All teachings and stances taken by the Catholic Church on ethical decisions are decided upon using the three sources of authority:
- magisteriumThe teaching authority of the Catholic Church formed of the Pope and Bishops of the Church.
- traditionThe beliefs, teachings and behaviour of a group. It may include scripture, oral teachings, laws and ritual practices.
- scriptureA piece of writing that has religious significance.
The Catholic Church would not take a situational approach to any decision making.
The Church can be described as taking both a deontologicalTo do with moral obligations, duties and ethics. and a teleologicalRelating to the reason or evidence of a purpose or design. approach.
It is deontological with regards to the view that certain acts are right or wrong, and that there is no space for context or emotions in decision making.
However it could be described as being teleological, to a certain extent, as the Church is concerned with how an individual is meant to act in order to achieve their end goal 鈥 that is, to be reunited with God.