CCC and theological opinion

[gazelam]

I happened upon the Wikipedia entry of the CCC at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catechism_of_the_Catholic_Church.

One interesting sentence is this: American Catholic bishops have stated that, though theological opinion was not intended to be a part of CCC, it in fact “does not distinguish between matters of faith and theological opinion.” The footnote for this is “Wrenn, Michael J.; Whitehead, Kenneth D. (1996). Flawed Expectations: The Reception of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Ignatius Press. p. 208. ISBN 0-89870-591-6.”

So, what is your basic understanding of the purpose of the CCC? How do you use the CCC? And does the theological opinion in the CCC mean that sometimes an additional source is needed to answer questions?

 

[concretecamper]

gazelam:

I happened upon the Wikipedia entry of the CCC at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catechi…atholic_Church.

One interesting sentence is this: American Catholic bishops have stated that, though theological opinion was not intended to be a part of CCC, it in fact “does not distinguish between matters of faith and theological opinion.” The footnote for this is “Wrenn, Michael J.; Whitehead, Kenneth D. (1996). Flawed Expectations: The Reception of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Ignatius Press. p. 208. ISBN 0-89870-591-6.”

So, what is your basic understanding of the purpose of the CCC? How do you use the CCC? And does the theological opinion in the CCC mean that sometimes an additional source is needed to answer questions?

I use the CCC to learn what the Church teaches. I use it for reference and sometime I just pick it up to read.

I believe the CCC is written in an ecumenical spirit. It clearly states what the church believes in faith and morals but is not as definitive on theological questions. The purpose of the CCC is to teach what the Church believes and why, rather than contrast with other beliefs (which is not a bad thing).

The CCC is heavily footnoted so yes…additional source is needed to explain the “why”.

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[concretecamper]

I read my post and let me clarify what I mean as definitive. On a moral issue, the CCC states quite clearly that abortion and contraception are wrong. However, it does not state that believing that Christ is not divine in nature is wrong, however it just state such and backs up it’s claim with sources.

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[Monergistic]

Let’s see if this link works. www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/bretzkesj/MagisterialExegesis.pdf

If that works, it should give you a pdf general outline of how Magisterial authority is navigated, what Catholics are supposed to look for, do, and bear in mind, and then four pages in there’s a series of notes about the CCC. Then at the end there’s a couple other things also written by Jesuits that are recommended for further reading. The Catechism references all sorts of Church documents of varying levels of authority, so you should pay attention to footnotes and know what to do with the information while also knowing what to make of the Catechism as a whole relative to other Church documents.

This is some fairly high-level Catechism analysis, though. In general, due to its accessibility and ease of use, I think it tends to be treated as a very easy way to access the highest levels of Church authority even though that’s not quite what it is. This isn’t even really something that you can blame on poor catechesis; it’s not at all uncommon for Catholics to take some slightly wrong assumptions with them into the process of becoming well-catechized and in the process they never quite get worked out.

 

[3DOCTORS]

Just got done reading Ralph McInerny’s book What Went Wrong with Vatican II: The Catholic Crisis Explained. The title is okay but from it you might not know how much the book covers issues that continued on well past Vatican II.

From ithis book, I gleaned insight into the chain of events that led to the pitting of theologians against the Magisterium and the consequent confusion for the laity. Even though it was written in 1998 it’s not outdated because it provides a good succinct summary of what happened from the 60s till the time it was written. It’s accessible and a good starting point for further reading. Here’s a good review:

blogandsoitgoes.blogspot.com/2009/03/review-what-went-wrong-with-vatican-ii.html

 

[Linusthe2nd]

I happened upon the Wikipedia entry of the CCC at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catechism_of_the_Catholic_Church.

One interesting sentence is this: American Catholic bishops have stated that, though theological opinion was not intended to be a part of CCC, it in fact “does not distinguish between matters of faith and theological opinion.” The footnote for this is “Wrenn, Michael J.; Whitehead, Kenneth D. (1996). Flawed Expectations: The Reception of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Ignatius Press. p. 208. ISBN 0-89870-591-6.”

So, what is your basic understanding of the purpose of the CCC? How do you use the CCC? And does the theological opinion in the CCC mean that sometimes an additional source is needed to answer questions?

The doctrinal value of the Catechism is not open for discussion by any theologian or theological body. The Prologue of the Catechism clearly states:

" III. The Aim and Intended Readership of the Catechism

11 This catechism aims at presenting an organic synthesis of the essential and fundamental contents of Catholic doctrine, as regards both faith and morals, in the light of the Second Vatican Council and the whole of the Church’s Tradition. Its principal sources are the Sacred Scriptures, the Fathers of the Church, the liturgy, and the Church’s Magisterium. It is intended to serve “as a point of reference for the catechisms or compendia that are composed in the various countries”. This is also expressed in the Apostolic Constitution on the Deposit of the Faith. "

So, your answer is that the contents of the Catechism contain those elements which Catholics must believe and these are not open to dispute. Other things not contained in the Catechism may be open to discussion but I am not aware of what these may be, I don’t study theology and don’t keep up on what Catholic Theologians may be discussing.

I hope this helps you. Linus2nd

 

[Lancer]

Here is the definitive statement on the CCC. All discussions about levels of authority and theologians assessing the CCC doctrinal value…are irrelevant when looking for the doctrinal value of the CCC…they were and remain “trumped”…by the Authoritative signature/blessing of (Blessed) Pope John Paul II who approved the CCC and made the below explanatory statement on the doctrinal value of the text CCC.

Also, one post said that it was written in a spirit of ecumenism…not so…it was meant to support ecumenical efforts…to show what the Catholic Church believes…not be an instrument to foster or promote ecumenism.

Pax Christi

**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**

1. 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!
**…
**
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. **

 

[fhansen]

I happened upon the Wikipedia entry of the CCC at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catechism_of_the_Catholic_Church.

One interesting sentence is this: American Catholic bishops have stated that, though theological opinion was not intended to be a part of CCC, it in fact “does not distinguish between matters of faith and theological opinion.”

That statement would only come from someone who’s looking for loopholes.