Canon Law, Catechism and Dogma

[rstegeman]

I was hoping that someone could give a brief explanation as to what each of these are and what the differences in them are. The places I’ve gone to for explanation seem to give more of history of each, but not a very good explanation, at least, not for us simple minded folks .

Thanks,

Rick

 

[b_justb]

rstegeman:

I was hoping that someone could give a brief explanation as to what each of these are and what the differences in them are. The places I’ve gone to for explanation seem to give more of history of each, but not a very good explanation, at least, not for us simple minded folks .

Thanks,

Rick

Canon law is the body of laws and regulations made by or adopted by ecclesiastical authority, for the government of the Christian organization and its members. (newadvent.org/cathen/09056a.htm)

This is the Code of Canon Law as provided by The Vatican:
vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/_INDEX.HTM

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) is an official exposition of the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church,
The Table of Contents: vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/ccc_toc.htm
The whole shootin’ match: vatican.va/archive/catechism/ccc_toc.htm

The word dogma (Gr. dogma from dokein) signifies, in the writings of the ancient classical authors, sometimes, an opinion or that which seems true to a person; sometimes, the philosophical doctrines or tenets, and especially the distinctive philosophical doctrines, of a particular school of philosophers (cf. Cic. Ac., ii, 9), and sometimes, a public decree or ordinance, as dogma poieisthai. (newadvent.org/cathen/05089a.htm)

 

[rstegeman]

Ok, I’m still a bit confused. I have seen/read/heard things quoted as being from Catholic Dogma, Catholic Canon and Catholic Catechism. Based on the definition of dogma, it can be an ordinance or rule, correct? If that’s the case, why isn’t it in the Canon Law or if it is, why do people quote it as being Dogmatic rather than from Canon?

If my understanding of the Catechism is correct as being the teachings of the Catholic Church, that would mean that Canon Law (or at least reference) Canon Law as part of that, correct?

Hopefully I’m not coming off as a complete bonehead here . Just trying to gain a better understanding of my faith.

 

[b_justb]

rstegeman:

Ok, I’m still a bit confused. I have seen/read/heard things quoted as being from Catholic Dogma, Catholic Canon and Catholic Catechism. Based on the definition of dogma, it can be an ordinance or rule, correct? If that’s the case, why isn’t it in the Canon Law or if it is, why do people quote it as being Dogmatic rather than from Canon?

If my understanding of the Catechism is correct as being the teachings of the Catholic Church, that would mean that Canon Law (or at least reference) Canon Law as part of that, correct?

Hopefully I’m not coming off as a complete bonehead here . Just trying to gain a better understanding of my faith.

I got this too late to add to the edit …

But according to a long-standing usage a dogma is now understood to be a truth appertaining to faith or morals, revealed by God, transmitted from the Apostles in the Scriptures or by tradition, and proposed by the Church for the acceptance of the faithful. It might be described briefly as a revealed truth defined by the Church – but private revelations do not constitute dogmas, and some theologians confine the word defined to doctrines solemnly defined by the pope or by a general council, while a revealed truth becomes a dogma even when proposed by the Church through her ordinary magisterium or teaching office. A dogma therefore implies a twofold relation: to Divine revelation and to the authoritative teaching of the Church.

This is from the article: newadvent.org/cathen/05089a.htm

Better understanding of the faith is always good

Dogma relates to truth divinely revealed.
Canon Law relates to rules of the Church, because The Church holds the Truth that has been Divinely Revealed.
The Catechism is an aid to knowing what that Divine Truth is, in part.