Nihil Obstat

What it is

A nihil obstat ("nothing stands in the way") is the declaration of a censore deputatus—or other qualified ecclesiastical censor—that a manuscript has been examined and contains nothing contrary to faith or morals. It clears the way for the bishop's imprimaturGlossaryAn official declaration by a bishop that a book is free of doctrinal or moral error and may be printed—literally, "let it be printed.". You will often see both names and dates printed together at the front of a Catholic book.

What it is not

A nihil obstat is not the bishop's final permission (that is the imprimatur). It is not a five-star review. It is not a guarantee that the book is the best treatment of the subject—only that it does not contradict Catholic doctrine or morality as judged by the censor.

How a Catholic encounters it

Check the front matter of serious Catholic books. When teaching others—RCIA, men's groups, your children—prefer works that carry both nihil obstat and imprimatur. Treat the note as a shield against careless error, not as a substitute for reading Scripture and the Catechism yourself.