A Censor Librorum (“Censor of Books”) is a church official responsible for reviewing manuscripts for doctrinal accuracy before publication. The Censor Librorum evaluates works for conformity with Church teaching and may recommend approval for publication (nihil obstat) or identify content requiring revision or rejection. The role serves as a safeguard to ensure published materials do not contain errors in faith and morals.
The office of Censor Librorum is a diocesan office, appointed by the diocesan bishop.
For more information, please contact:
Dr. Victor Carmona
Censor Librorum
858-490-8215
clibrorum@sdcatholic.org
The typical process is:
Submission – The author or publisher submits the Manuscript Submission Form to the local bishop (or another competent ecclesiastical authority).
Doctrinal Review – The bishop appoints the Censor Librorum to examine the text for conformity with Catholic doctrine and morals.
Nihil Obstat – If the censor finds nothing contrary to Church teaching on faith or morals, they issue a nihil obstat (“nothing stands in the way”).
Episcopal Decision – The bishop reviews the censor’s recommendation and decides whether to grant an imprimatur (“let it be printed”).
Publication – If granted, the published work typically includes both the nihil obstat and the imprimatur, along with the names and dates of the officials involved.
An imprimatur indicates only that the work contains no identified doctrinal or moral error at the time of review. It does not imply that the Church endorses every opinion expressed, guarantees factual accuracy outside matters of faith and morals, or requires Catholics to read or agree with the work. Some categories of publications, such as catechisms and liturgical texts, are subject to additional canonical requirements beyond the standard imprimatur process.
A: There are two types of publications that may be submitted for the imprimatur of the bishop. For more information, you may find them described in canons 827 §1-3 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law. The first type of work involves catechetical instruction, such as catechisms, or textbooks on sacred scripture, theology, canon law, ecclesiastical history, and religious or moral disciplines. These publications must receive an Imprimatur. The Code of Canon Law recommends that those works that are not used as textbooks for instruction but involve the aforementioned list of subjects should be submitted for an imprimatur.
