Baltimore Catechism

[Marysgirl]

I noticed that the Catholic book stores sell the Baltimore Catechism as well as the current Catechism. I’m assuming that it is the same information but in a different format. Is this correct? I understand that the Baltimore Catechism is layed out in a format that makes memorizing easy. They don’t contradict each other do they?

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[Fidelis]

The Baltimore is a basic catechism and was in wide use in teaching US schoolchildren for many, many years. It fell out of vogue several years ago because Catholic educators thought the emphasis on “rote memorization” was an outdated way to learn the faith. Since then, as a result of mushy catechesis, the knowledge level of Catholics has steadily dropped to the point that the average Catholic that did not grow up with the BC knows almost nothing of their faith. Thus they are often easy prey for fundamentalists and sects, or end up falling away from religion altogether.

The BC has made something of a comeback in recent years, mostly among Catholic homeschoolers who tend to be more serious about teaching their children the Faith. My youngest is being raised with the BC and knows more about his faith than most Catholic adults I know. Along with teaching a child the Scriptures and how to love and serve God and others, I think you could do worse.

 

[John_Higgins]

Marysgirl:

They don’t contradict each other do they?

Sure they do, but mostly in tone.

John

 

[Mt19_26]

I think the Baltimore Catechism is great for teaching school children. It’s clear, concise, and easy to understand. I would start my children off with the BC and then introduce them to the current Catechism as they get older.

 

[netmender]

Would anybody here care to comment on TAN Books’ “A Brief Catechism for Adults” by Fr. Cogan. One very favorable review I read said it was a “stripped down” Baltimore Catechism. I’m thinking about getting it.

Anybody have any experience with it?

 

[chrisb]

In nomine Iesu, I offer you all peace,

I have the Baltimore Catechism No.1 and Baltimore Catechism No. 4:* An Explanation of the Baltimore Catechism of Christian Doctrine for the use of Sunday-School Teachers and Advanced Classes *as well as the Catechism of the Catholic Church Second Edtion. I use all three for all sorts of things. What I like about having all of them is that once one compares them together one gets a pretty good sense exactly what the Church professes.

I honestly don’t see contradiction although the CCC is much more ethereal in it’s explanations of things which can be a good thing at times.

Peace, Love and Blessings.

 

[Inkman]

This may sound sad on my part but I had no idea what the Baltimore Catechism was. I have read the new Catechism and believe that I know my faith fairly well.

The first time I heard the term “Baltimore Catechism” was while I was on vacation, my wife and I found a Catholic Church near the hotel that we were staying at. During the homily the priest, one of two who said the Mass, stated that he does not follow the Baltimore Catechism because it made life difficult and that God did not want us to live a difficult life but to enjoy life and that he was glad to have found a parish that held the same views. I assumed that the Baltimore Catechism was something that the Church was no longer using and that ideas about this particular Catechim had changed.

 

[Fidelis]

Inkman:

The first time I heard the term “Baltimore Catechism” was while I was on vacation, my wife and I found a Catholic Church near the hotel that we were staying at. During the homily the priest, one of two who said the Mass, stated that he does not follow the Baltimore Catechism because it made life difficult and that God did not want us to live a difficult life but to enjoy life and that he was glad to have found a parish that held the same views.(

I would be interested to know what he found in the Baltimore Catechism that would “make life difficult”? It is just a straightforward presentation of the truths of the Faith that never change. It is true that, unlike much of what passes for catechesis today, it presents an unflinching view of sin and it’s consequences, to think of it as “difficult” is more of a reflection on the limp-wristedness of modern catechesis than an indictment of the BC.

 

[Timidity]

The Baltimore Catechism (at least all the copies I’ve seen) hasn’t been updated since before Vatican II. As such, some of the material in it is now outdated and simply incorrect.

The US Bishops have a new FAQ-style Catechism that they’re working through the approval process.

 

[stbruno]

I think the basic difference between the Baltimore Catechism & the Current Catechism is that the Baltimore is set up with a question and a response. The Current Catechism uses topic format with Biblical foundations sited where it can be reinforced. Both have great value in catechesis in my opinion.