Catechism of the Catholic church

The Catéchisme of the Catholic church is a work summarizing the faith and the teaching of the Roman Catholic church, published in 1992.

Origins and objectives of the text

Following the Concile Vatican II (1962 - 1965), no catechism had been written, contrary to what had occurred following the Concile from Thirty (1542 - 1563). The January 25th 1985, the pope Jean-Paul II convened a Synode bishops to reflect on the consequences of the council. In their final report (December 7th 1985), the Fathers of the synod asked:

“ that is written a catechism or compendium of all the catholic doctrines as well on the faith as on the morals, which would be like a text of reference for catechisms or compendiums which are composed in the various countries. The presentation of the doctrines must be biblical and liturgical, exposing doctrines sure and adapted at the same time to the current life of the Christians . ”

Consequently, Jean-Paul II formed in 1986 a commission of twelve cardinals and bishops, chaired by the cardinal Ratzinger (current pope Benoît XVI), then prefect of the Congrégation for the doctrines of the faith , and assisted by an editorial board of seven bishops resident.

In the apostolic Constitution Fidei depositum October 11th 1992, accompanying the publication by the Catechism , Jean-Paul II declared:

“ a catechism must present accurately and organically the teaching of the Scriptures, Tradition living in the Church and of the Magistère authenticates, just as the spiritual heritage of the Pères, the Saint S and holy of the Church, to make it possible to better know the Christian mystery and to revive the faith of God's people. It must take account of the explanations of the doctrines that the Holy Spirit suggested with the Church during times. It is necessary also that it helps to clarify light of the faith the new situations and the difficulties which had not arisen yet in the past. ”

Composition

The Catechism account 2865 paragraphs. It takes again the traditional plan already adopted by that of Thirty. It is articulated in four parts:

“the profession of faith”: the Creed and elements of the catholic faith (1038 paragraphs)
“the celebration of the Christian mystery”: the Liturgy and the Sacrament S (624 paragraphs)
“life in Christ”: the catholic action and commands (866 paragraphs)
“the Christian prayer” (307 paragraphs)

Criticisms

The Catéchisme was the subject of a certain number of criticisms, bearing for the majority on its contents, in particular as regards morals. However, this one, from its nature even, did not have any vocation to constitute an innovative text. On the contrary, it was to accurately take again the former positions of the Church.

Some critical relate to the choice of the steering committee, in particular of its president, the cardinal Joseph Ratzinger and of its general editor, Mgr Christoph Schönborn. One spoke about a “wrongfully collegial” text, “dictated by the Roman Curie”, without participation of laic theologists.

See too

Catechism of the Council of Thirty

External bonds