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Glorthac
Guest
Are there any mistakes in Catechisms? What they say is to be taken as correct for Catholics, right? Can I believe someone is a heretic if they deny what the Catechisms say on a particular issue?
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DavidFilmer
Guest
A Catechism is a teaching of the Ordinary Magesterium and is considered authoritative but not infallible. A Catechism presents mostly dogmatic doctrine, but it also includes opinion of theologians of the day which have not been defined by the Church.
A good example is the teaching of our most current Catechism regarding limbo. The idea of limbo has been espoused by many leading theologians (and Saints and popes) for many centuries, but has never been defined as a Doctrine of the Church. In the past century, the idea has lost traction, and is now endorsed by few (if any) Catholic scholars. In our most recent Catechism, there is no mention of limbo, but the hope that the mercy of God will extend to unbaptized infants. But the Church has NEVER defined WHAT happens to unbaptized infants, because this IS NOT part of the Deposit of Faith. We simply DO NOT KNOW what happens - it is pure speculation one way or another.
Past generations speculated limbo - present generations speculate heaven. Both speculations have appeared in catechisms, but neither are dogmatic, and it is (probably) impossible for the Church to actually define it one way or another, because the Church is limited to what was revealed in the Deposit of Faith, and She may never exceed that teaching.
Any Catholic is perfectly free to believe in the idea of limbo, or to reject the idea of limbo, regardless of the fact that our most recent Catechism seems to reject it.
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Abu
Guest
The Apostolic Constitution by Pope John Paul II states that it is “a sure and authentic reference text for teaching Catholic doctrine…” There are no serious “mistakes” that misinterpret doctrine or dogma.
Please see Canon 751: “Heresy is the obstinate denial or doubt, after baptism, of a truth which must be believed by divine and Catholic faith.” (A dogma).
Therefore, it is heresy ONLY if a person dissents from dogma, not infallible doctrine which belongs to category two – to be firmly embraced and held; nor to category 3 which is non-infallible doctrine – the category 3 truths are non-definitive (non-infallible) and require intellectual assent (“loyal submission of the will and intellect”, Vatican II, *Lumen Gentium *25), not an assent of faith.
So, no it is not good to go around either believing or saying that anyone is a “heretic”. There may be good reason to suggest that it is heresy if the fact in Can 751 is evident, with willful and clear knowledge of the gravity of the denial or doubt.
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puzzleannie
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thistle
Guest
The Catechism of the Catholic Church contains a summary of ALL Church teachings (no opinions) both infallible and non-infallible plus disciplines. While there might be an unnoticed typo made by the printers there are certainly no errors in any of the teachings contained therein.
Catholics are bound to accept what is in the CCC.
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DavidFilmer
Guest
I think we have had this conversation before. This is the part where I ask you to show any actual doctrinal teaching to support your contention, and this is the part where you completely ignore me.
A CATECHISM IS AUTHORITATIVE, BUT NOT DOCTRINAL. REFUTE ME.
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thistle
Guest
Wrong. It is you who ignores the Pope’s Letter in the CCC every time I and others quote it to you.
- The Doctrinal Value of the Text
The approval and publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church represent a service which the Successor of Peter wishes to offer to the Holy Catholic Church, to all the particular Churches in peace and communion with the Apostolic See: the service, that is, of supporting and confirming the faith of all the Lord Jesus’ disciples (cf. Lk 22:32 as well as of strengthening the bonds of unity in the same apostolic faith. Therefore, I ask all the Church’s Pastors and the Christian faithful to receive this catechism in a spirit of communion and to use it assiduously in fulfilling their mission of proclaiming the faith and calling people to the Gospel life. This catechism is given to them that it may be a sure and authentic reference text for teaching catholic doctrine and particularly for preparing local catechisms. It is also offered to all the faithful who wish to deepen their knowledge of the unfathomable riches of salvation (cf. Eph 3:8). It is meant to support ecumenical efforts that are moved by the holy desire for the unity of all Christians, showing carefully the content and wondrous harmony of the catholic faith. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, lastly, is offered to every individual who asks us to give an account of the hope that is in us (cf. 1 Pt 3:15) and who wants to know what the Catholic Church believes.
This catechism is not intended to replace the local catechisms duly approved by the ecclesiastical authorities, the diocesan Bishops and the Episcopal Conferences, especially if they have been approved by the Apostolic See. It is meant to encourage and assist in the writing of new local catechisms, which take into account various situations and cultures, while carefully preserving the unity of faith and fidelity to catholic doctrine.
At the conclusion of this document presenting the Catechism of the Catholic Church, I beseech the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Incarnate Word and Mother of the Church, to support with her powerful intercession the catechetical work of the entire Church on every level, at this time when she is called to a new effort of evangelization. May the light of the true faith free humanity from the ignorance and slavery of sin in order to lead it to the only freedom worthy of the name (cf. Jn 8:32): that of life in Jesus Christ under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, here below and in the Kingdom of heaven, in the fullness of the blessed vision of God face to face (cf. 1 Cor 13:12; 2 Cor 5:6-8)!
Given 11 October 1992, the thirtieth anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, in the fourteenth year of my Pontificate.
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spockrates
Guest
David:
I’m fascinated by your statement, “A Catechism is authoritative, but not doctrinal.” I’m wondering how this can be true. I’m thinking that if it is not doctrinal, but is authoritative, then it is authoritative only of that which is not Church doctrine. Is this what you are trying to say?
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