Catholic Catechism... Inspired?

[TristanCross]

Since Catholics believe their beliefs and practices are 100% true, does that mean the Catechism of the Catholic Church is inspired and/or infallible?

 

[Corki]

The Catechism itself is not an infallible document. It does contain many infallible teachings but it also contains teaching on matters of discipline and practice.

I believe, and I don’t know if this is “official” Church teaching, that the compilers of the Catechism were inspired in the ordinary way that the Holy Spirit inspires the teachers in the Church, especially the Bishops. This is different than the inspired word of God; a level of inspiration reserved for Holy Scripture. The Catechism is not Scripture.

 

[RWMorris]

Since Catholics believe their beliefs and practices are 100% true, does that mean the Catechism of the Catholic Church is inspired and/or infallible?

The Catechism is not infallible. I’m sure there was a sense of inspiration and lots of prayer by those who contributed to its writing. But it is not the Word of God, it is not equal to the Bible. It is very important in the prayer and study life of Catholics.

PS, Catholics do not believe that every belief and practice of all Catholics to 100% true. We are not privy to 100% of the truth, no human is. We do believe the Church preaches and teaches the fullness of Truth, as much as can be understood by humans.

And I’m not infallible, so I may not be totally correct in what I am telling you. If I am wrong I am sure someone will correct me.

 

[buffalo]

The Catechism is a “sure norm” for teaching the faith.

 

[Lancer]

Here is what the CCC is…no more …no less:

http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/pope.gif ** APOSTOLIC CONSTITUTION
FIDEI DEPOSITUM**
ON THE PUBLICATION OF THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
PREPARED FOLLOWING THE SECOND VATICAN ECUMENICAL COUNCIL

** JOHN PAUL, BISHOP
SERVANT OF THE SERVANTS OF GOD
FOR EVERLASTING MEMORY**

3. The Doctrinal Value of the Text

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, which I approved 25 June last and the publication of which I today order** by virtue of my Apostolic Authority**, is** a statement of the Church’s faith and of catholic doctrine, attested to or illumined by Sacred Scripture, the Apostolic Tradition and the Church’s Magisterium. I declare it to be a sure norm for teaching the faith and thus a valid and legitimate instrument for ecclesial communion. **May it serve the renewal to which the Holy Spirit ceaselessly calls the Church of God, the Body of Christ, on her pilgrimage to the undiminished light of the Kingdom!

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. http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/pjpsig.gif

Pax Christi