Citing Catholic Social Teaching: Mla Style Guide

how to cite catholic social teaching in mla

When citing Catholic social teaching in MLA format, there are a few key guidelines to follow. Firstly, the first citation should be complete, with subsequent references abbreviated. Well-known texts can be cited using their customary Latin title. Works issued by the Catholic Church, such as the Catechism or Vatican II documents, are cited by their title only, without the author listed as Catholic Church. When citing papal documents, honorific titles such as Pope are omitted, and the name of the pope is used instead. In-text citations should include the Latin name of the document and the paragraph number. When citing the Bible, references should include the book, chapter, and verse, and the specific edition should be indicated using its abbreviated form. Page numbers are generally not used in theological research, with a preference for citing paragraph or section numbers instead.

Characteristics Values
Author The name of the author, e.g., John Paul II or Pope Benedict XVI
Year The year of publication, e.g., 1987 for "On Social Concern"
Title The title of the document, e.g., "On Social Concern"
Place of Publication The place of publication, e.g., St. Paul and Minneapolis
Publisher The publisher, e.g., Office for Social Justice of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis
Date Accessed The date the source was accessed, if relevant, e.g., Jan. 9, 2011
Paragraph/Section Number The paragraph or section number, preferred over page numbers
Edition The edition of the source, if applicable, e.g., 2nd ed.
Date of Document The date of the document, if different from the publication date, e.g., March 25, 1995, for an encyclical letter

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Citing the Bible

When citing Catholic social teaching in MLA format, there are some specific guidelines to follow, particularly when it comes to citing the Bible. The Bible is a unique source that requires a slightly different citation style compared to traditional academic sources. Here are the key points to keep in mind when citing the Bible in MLA format:

Bible Version and Edition

Firstly, it is important to indicate the version of the Bible you are using. Different versions may have slight variations in translation, so specifying the version is essential for clarity and consistency. The version should be included in your citation, followed by the book, chapter, and verse information. Additionally, if you are using multiple editions of the same version, be sure to indicate the specific edition with each reference. However, if you are using the same edition throughout your paper, it is only necessary to mention the edition in your first citation.

Book, Chapter, and Verse

When citing a specific passage from the Bible, always include the book, chapter, and verse information. The book name is usually abbreviated, and you should use the abbreviations recommended by the Congregation for the Clergy. Indicate the chapter and verse numbers using Arabic numerals separated by a colon. For example, "Habakkuk 2:3" would be written as "Hab 2:3".

Publisher and Publication Information

Include the publisher's name and location, as well as the publication year, if this information is available. This is standard practice for MLA citations and helps provide full context for your source.

In-Text Citations

There are two main formats for in-text citations: citation in prose (narrative) and parenthetical. For citations in prose, the author's surname or title of the work (if no author is given) is mentioned within the sentence, and the page number or location is enclosed in parentheses at the end of the sentence. For parenthetical citations, the author's surname or title, followed by the page number, is placed in parentheses outside of the sentence. For the Bible, the title of the version and the location (book, chapter, and verse) are used instead of the author's name. Subsequent citations from the same version can be shortened to just the book, chapter, and verse in parentheses.

The Bible. Bible Version, Publisher Name, Year.

For example: "The Bible. King James Bible (Authorized Version), Brown Books Publishing, 2004".

In-text citation example: "A theme of Habakkuk is that of patient waiting: 'For still the vision awaits its time; it hasten to the end—it will not lie' (King James Bible, Hab 2:3)".

Remember to be consistent in your citations and follow any specific guidelines provided by your instructor or institution.

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Catechism of the Catholic Church

The Catechism of the Catholic Church is a statement of the Church's faith and Catholic doctrine. It was promulgated by Pope John Paul II on 11 October 1992, marking the 30th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council. In his apostolic constitution, Fidei depositum, John Paul II declared that the Catechism is:

> a valid and legitimate instrument for ecclesial communion and a sure norm for teaching the faith.

The Catechism aims to present a synthesis of the essential and fundamental contents of Catholic doctrine, regarding faith and morals. Its principal sources include the Sacred Scriptures, the liturgy, and the Church's Magisterium.

The Catechism is structured into several sections, each addressing specific aspects of Catholic theology and doctrine. Some of these sections include:

  • "The Church Is One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic"
  • "Christ's Faithful - Hierarchy, Laity, Consecrated Life"
  • "The Communion of Saints"
  • "Mary - Mother of Christ, Mother of the Church"
  • "Moral Life and the Magisterium of the Church"
  • "The Precepts of the Church"
  • "The Social Doctrine of the Church"
  • "Economic Activity and Social Justice"
  • "Justice and Solidarity Among Nations"

When citing the Catechism of the Catholic Church in MLA format, the general guidelines for theological sources apply. Here is an example of how to cite it:

First footnote: Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2nd ed. (Washington, DC: United States Catholic Conference, 2000), § 863.

Subsequent footnotes: CCC, 863.

Works Cited: Catechism of the Catholic Church. 2nd ed., United States Catholic Conference, 2000.

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Citing a Pope

When citing a Pope's work in MLA style, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, the name of the Pope should be used without any honorific titles, so, for example, "Pope John Paul II" would be cited as "John Paul II".

The first citation of a source must be complete, including all relevant information. Subsequent references can be abbreviated. For example, you might cite the first reference to the Catechism of the Catholic Church as:

> Catholic Church. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2nd ed. (United States Catholic Conference, 2000), § 863.

Subsequent references can be shortened to:

> CCC, 863.

When citing a Pope's document, you should include the name of the Pope, the title of the document, and the publication date. For example:

> Benedict XVI. "Deus Caritas Est - Encyclical Letter, Benedict XVI." Vatican: the Holy See. Vatican Website. Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2005.

In-text citations should include the name of the Pope and the relevant paragraph or section number, for example:

> ...as stated in the first paragraph of the section on "Eternal Newness" in Francis' Apostolic Exhortation (Francis 1).

It is important to note that the use of paragraph or section numbers is generally preferred over page numbers in theological research. However, it is usually acceptable to include page numbers as well if desired.

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Citing papal documents

When citing papal documents, there are several key considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to identify the specific type of document, such as an encyclical, apostolic exhortation, or decree. The title of the document should be provided in both English and Latin, with the Latin title italicized. Additionally, the name of the pope who authored the document should be included, omitting any honorific titles like "Pope". For example, "John Paul II" instead of "Pope John Paul II".

In terms of publication information, provide the date of promulgation in parentheses, followed by the publishing details, regardless of whether the document was published as part of a book, pamphlet, or on a website. If the document is available online, include the URL in your citation. Here is an example of an online papal encyclical citation:

> Benedict XVI. "Deus Caritas Est - Encyclical Letter, Benedict XVI." Vatican: the Holy See. Vatican Website. Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2005. Web. 29 Jan. 2013.

When citing specific sections or paragraphs of the document, use the section symbol (§) to indicate one section and (§§) for two or more sections. It is standard practice in theological research to cite paragraph or section numbers instead of page numbers. However, it is generally acceptable to use page numbers if necessary.

For in-text citations, provide the Latin name of the document and the relevant paragraph or section number. For example:

> "First paragraph in the section on "Eternal Newness" in Pope Francis' Apostolicae Curae, §1."

Finally, always follow any specific requirements or guidelines provided by your instructor or institution, as there may be variations in citation style depending on the audience and sources being cited.

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Citing online sources

When citing online sources for Catholic Social Teaching in MLA format, there are several important guidelines to follow. Firstly, the first citation must be complete, while subsequent references can be abbreviated. Well-known texts can be cited using their customary Latin titles, such as "Divino Afflante Spiritu". Works issued by the Catholic Church, such as the Catechism or Vatican II documents, should be cited by their title only, without the author preceding it.

When citing papal documents, include the name of the pope, title of the document, and publication date are essential. Honorifics such as "Pope" are omitted, so "Pope John Paul II" becomes "John Paul II". Alternatively, the Catholic Church can be cited as "Catholic Church" or "& Francis", depending on the style preferred by your instructor. In-text citations may also use the Latin name of the document and the paragraph number. For example, when citing the first paragraph of the "Eternal Newness" section in Pope Francis' "Apostolic Exhortation", you might write: "Apostolic Exhortation, § Eternal Newness 1".

In theology and church writings, it is common practice to cite the paragraph or section number rather than page numbers. This is often preferred, but it is usually acceptable to use page numbers as well, depending on your instructor's requirements. When citing the Bible, provide the book, chapter, and verse, without italicizing the Bible or its books. Indicate the specific edition of the Bible used with its italicized abbreviation, and give the full name of the edition in the first citation. If multiple editions are used, provide the edition with each reference. Biblical references are placed in parentheses after the quotation.

For other religious works, such as the Summa Theologiae, do not cite page numbers; instead, refer to the relevant part, question, and article. When citing the Catechism of the Catholic Church, indicate the edition, publisher, and year, followed by the section symbol and section number. For example: "Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2nd ed. (Washington, DC: United States Catholic Conference, 2000), § 863". Subsequent footnotes can be abbreviated as "CCC, 863".

Finally, when citing documents such as encyclicals, apostolic exhortations, or decrees, provide the title in English and Latin, with the Latin title italicized. Include promulgation dates in the first reference and bibliography, and always provide section numbers in footnotes, using the symbol "§" for one section and "§§" for multiple sections.

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Frequently asked questions

When citing Catholic Social Teaching in MLA, the following should be included:

- The name of the specific edition

- Any editors associated with the work

- Publication information

- Date accessed (for online sources)

When citing a papal document, the following should be included:

- The name of the pope who wrote the document

- The title of the document

- Publication date

- Paragraph or section number

When citing the Bible in MLA, the following should be included:

- Book, chapter and verse

- Edition of the Bible

- Biblical references are placed in parentheses after the quotation

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