Catechism of the Catholic Church

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Storm_Arriving

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Hello,

I just recently purchased a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and I have a few questions in regards to it.
  1. Is this book made for just Roman Catholic’s or others aswell?
  2. Is it required that I believe in everything that is in this book in order to be a Catholic?
  3. In regards to question #2: If it is not required to believe in everthing in this book then how am I to determine what is an what is not?
Thank you for your time and any help would be much apreciated.

Thanks,

Darnell
 
Hi, Darnell,

It’s quite amazing that you have bought this book.
As it is the truth, then the truth is for everyone.
We accept the truth, so don’t pick and choose as something is either true or is not. If true we should accept it.

We accept these truths as Jesus gave authority to the Apostles, the first priests, to teach the truth, and gave to Peter the leadership of the church when He said in Matthew 16:18-19: "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church.“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” That is, the laws you make are accepted by God, the laws you unmake are accepted by God.

Below are some of what Jesus said in giving that authority to His apostles:

“When the Advocate comes, whom I shall send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who issues from the Father, He will be my witness. And you too will be my witnesses.” [John 15: 26-27] “When He comes, He will show the world how wrong it was, about sin…and about judgement” and “about who was in the right: proved by my going to the Father…proved by the prince of this world already being condemned.”
Jesus promised, “I still have many things to say to you but they would be too much for you now. But when the Spirit comes He will lead you to the complete truth…All He tells you will be taken from what is mine.” “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and then you will be my witnesses not only in Jerusalem but indeed…to the ends of the earth.” [John 16:8-9, 12-13, 15]

Before His ascension, Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore, make disciples of all the nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you. And know that I am with you always, yes even to the end of time.” [Matthew 28:17-20]

Anyway, all the best in your searching. I ask God to God you however He wishes.

God bless you…Trishie
 
Trishie said:
Hi, Darnell,
It’s quite amazing that you have bought this book.
As it is the truth, then the truth is for everyone.
Click to expand...
Hello and thank you for a response.

I guess this first part would answer my first question but what about the second two?

Any help would be much apreciated.

Thanks,

Darnell
 
Trishie is right…if you recognize the teaching authorities of the Church as the successors to the apostles whose offices were created by Christ, then you should have submission to everything in the Catechism, because you are essentially submitting to Christ… As a general rule of thumb, if a matter is regarding faith or morals, then you should assent to it. Pope John Paul II called the Catechism a “sure norm” for understanding the faith in simple terms. If the matter in the Catechism is one of a certain custom or practice, then it is not de fide, but should still bear respect from the authority from which it is asserted. Everything in the Catechism I have ever seen has a rich Biblical and Traditional precedent.

A better book clarifying what is de fide or not is Dr. Ludwig Ott’s Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma. As I understand, it is the book used in seminaries for teaching priests the faith.

God bless! :o
 
Storm_Arriving, if you are asking how much you have to believe to decide to become a Catholic, or how much you can reject and still be a Catholic, I would suggest the following:

Find a nearby Catholic Church that offers the “Right of Christian Initiation for Adults”, or RCIA. Most classes culminate with entry into the Church on Easter, so you might need to wait for the next class to start. But ask, anyway. Ask to speak to the priest about your questions. He will be happy to help you.

I am so glad you bought the Catechism. Read it with an open mind, and pray that God will send His Holy Spirit to guide you through your searching.
 
  1. Is this book made for just Roman Catholic’s or others aswell?
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This book is for anybody who wishes to know what the Catholic Church teaches and believes. It is for Catholics who want to study the faith more deeply, and it is for non-Catholics who want to know about the Catholic faith.
  1. Is it required that I believe in everything that is in this book in order to be a Catholic?
Click to expand...
This book details the entire Sacred Deposit of Faith. This book expounds fully on the Sacred Deposit of Faith. As such, Catholics are required to believe in the doctrines and dogmas that the Catechism discusses. In other words, faithful Catholics believe everything that is written in the Catechism. No faithful Catholic would ever knowingly and wilfully deny a doctrine of the faith.
 
That book is the teaching of the Catholic Church. In areas of disagreement, and yes it is allowed, one should strive to understand why a certain teaching is the way it is.

The only thing that is required to be believed with the assent of faith is dogma, That means, even if you do not understand why Mary was immaculately conceived, you must understand that the Church has the authority to pronounce such things and let your faith in the Church’s authority be the conduit from you faith in God to assent to something, even if you do not understand.

If you do not understand the Church’s teaching on something like the precepts of the Church, then one should strive to understand these things better so one can agree in good conscience.
 
I understand better now. Thank you for your responses.

Darnell 🙂
 
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