Eastern Catechisms

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Hello,

What do the Byzantine Catholics think about the 3 volume Light for Life series? Does it accurately portray Byzantine theology and thinking? Do Byzantine Catholics think that it is authoritative for them?

What do the Syriac and Maronite Catholics think about the Maronite Adult Catechism: Captivated By Your Teachings - by Father Anthony Salim? Does it accurately portray Syriac and Maronite theology and thinking? Do Syriac and Maronite Catholics think it is authoritative for them?

Is there a Catechism for Coptic Catholics or any other group I may have forgotten that accurately portrays their theology and thinking and is considered authoritative by them?
 
JMJ_coder said:
Hello,

What do the Byzantine Catholics think about the 3 volume Light for Life series? Does it accurately portray Byzantine theology and thinking? Do Byzantine Catholics think that it is authoritative for them?

What do the Syriac and Maronite Catholics think about the Maronite Adult Catechism: Captivated By Your Teachings - by Father Anthony Salim? Does it accurately portray Syriac and Maronite theology and thinking? Do Syriac and Maronite Catholics think it is authoritative for them?

Is there a Catechism for Coptic Catholics or any other group I may have forgotten that accurately portrays their theology and thinking and is considered authoritative by them?
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The Light for Life series, from what I have heard, is a decent work used in many Ruthenian, Ukrainian and Melkite parishes. I can’t say for sure as I have never read through it, but I have heard good things…

Prayers and petitions,
Alexius:cool:
 
I like them a lot. While not comparable to the Latin Catechism, it is a good guide.
 
A Catechism is being prepared for use in the UGCC by Bishop Peter in Australia. I understand this is well on now
 
interesting article, byzantion… thanks for the link!

From the article…
The very widely used Baltimore Catechism, which is basically the Latin Church’s equivalent of Spirago, made sure that all of us had the same religious initiation.
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As a young Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic in the 1950’s I would scurry off to the church basement every Saturday morning for catechism class which consisted of an hour’s worth of “Baltimore Catechism” taught by visiting Benedictine nuns, followed by an hour’s worth of “Liturgical Catechism” taught by our pastor, a Ruthenian Byzantine Benedictine hieromonk who, to his credit, would put a decidely Eastern “spin” on the Catholicism we had just covered in the Baltimore book. We did have an Eastern text for the “Liturgical Catechism” portion of our class, but I don’t recall its name - I’m sure my old copy is still buried in the bottom of a box somewhere out in my shed (yup… I’m a pack-rat!). Now I’m curious - I’ll have to go see if I can dig it up!
 
a_pilgrim said:
interesting article, byzantion… thanks for the link!

From the article…

As a young Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic in the 1950’s I would scurry off to the church basement every Saturday morning for catechism class which consisted of an hour’s worth of “Baltimore Catechism” taught by visiting Benedictine nuns, followed by an hour’s worth of “Liturgical Catechism” taught by our pastor, a Ruthenian Byzantine Benedictine hieromonk who, to his credit, would put a decidely Eastern “spin” on the Catholicism we had just covered in the Baltimore book. We did have an Eastern text for the “Liturgical Catechism” portion of our class, but I don’t recall its name - I’m sure my old copy is still buried in the bottom of a box somewhere out in my shed (yup… I’m a pack-rat!). Now I’m curious - I’ll have to go see if I can dig it up!
Click to expand...
Sounds like my experience in the early sixties, but we had a member of the parish teachiing using the Baltiomore catechism and teaching us the Byzantine sign of the Cross, etc.
 
JMJ_coder said:
Hello,

What do the Byzantine Catholics think about the 3 volume Light for Life series? Does it accurately portray Byzantine theology and thinking? Do Byzantine Catholics think that it is authoritative for them?

What do the Syriac and Maronite Catholics think about the Maronite Adult Catechism: Captivated By Your Teachings - by Father Anthony Salim? Does it accurately portray Syriac and Maronite theology and thinking? Do Syriac and Maronite Catholics think it is authoritative for them?

Is there a Catechism for Coptic Catholics or any other group I may have forgotten that accurately portrays their theology and thinking and is considered authoritative by them?
Click to expand...
The book by Fr Salim is not an official catechism of the Maronites. He encourages the Syriac Catholics(which includes Maronites, Syrian Catholics, Chaldeans and etc.) to get together to form a catechism for the Syriac Churches.
 
Hello,
jimmy said:
The book by Fr Salim is not an official catechism of the Maronites. He encourages the Syriac Catholics(which includes Maronites, Syrian Catholics, Chaldeans and etc.) to get together to form a catechism for the Syriac Churches.
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I’d have to check the book, but I think he readily admits its not an official catechism for the Maronite Church. But, is there currently anything better? What more authoritative source could a person currently obtain to learn about Syriac Christianity?

Also, is Father Salim’s book - while not official - an accurate portrait of the Maronite Church?
 
Faith of the Mountain Series is a Maronite catechetical series for grades 1 - 12. There is not presently an official adult catechism of which I’m aware. Father Salim’s publication and those of Chorbishop Seely Beggiani are probably the closest thing presently to what is being sought.

Many years,

Neil
 
You might also want to consider acquiring a copy of the Ukrainian Catholic Catechetical Directory. 👍 It truly is a beautiful document. PM me if you would like an e-copy.

God bless!

Gordo
 
JMJ_coder said:
Hello,

I’d have to check the book, but I think he readily admits its not an official catechism for the Maronite Church. But, is there currently anything better? What more authoritative source could a person currently obtain to learn about Syriac Christianity?

Also, is Father Salim’s book - while not official - an accurate portrait of the Maronite Church?
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Fr Salim’s book is pretty good. Chorbishop Seely Begianni is good as Irish Melkite mentioned.
 
jimmy said:
Fr Salim’s book is pretty good. Chorbishop Seely Begianni is good as Irish Melkite mentioned.
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Both are excellent, though I am more fond of the dear Chorbishop due to how strong he is against Latinization, and his love for tradition. I just acquired a photocopy of Early Syriac Theology, and I am told it is now being used as an educational text in some diasporic seminaries.

However, neither are official, however much they might be excellent. I know Abouna Salim’s book is now out of print, though I have no reason why. I finally obtained a copy and could see that many Latinized Maronites would take issue with it in regards to purgatory and the IC, amongst other things. Soon I am going to pour through the religious education series, I will certainly relay my opinions of them if desired.

Peace and God Bless.
 
Hello,
jimmy said:
Fr Salim’s book is pretty good. Chorbishop Seely Begianni is good as Irish Melkite mentioned.
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yeshua said:
Both are excellent, though I am more fond of the dear Chorbishop due to how strong he is against Latinization, and his love for tradition.
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O.K. - details, please. I am unfamiliar with Chorbishop Begianni’s book - what is it called, where can it be acquired, etc.?
 
JMJ_coder said:
Hello,

What do the Byzantine Catholics think about the 3 volume Light for Life series? Does it accurately portray Byzantine theology and thinking? Do Byzantine Catholics think that it is authoritative for them?

What do the Syriac and Maronite Catholics think about the Maronite Adult Catechism: Captivated By Your Teachings - by Father Anthony Salim? Does it accurately portray Syriac and Maronite theology and thinking? Do Syriac and Maronite Catholics think it is authoritative for them?

Is there a Catechism for Coptic Catholics or any other group I may have forgotten that accurately portrays their theology and thinking and is considered authoritative by them?
Click to expand...
I am not aware of a Catechism for Coptic Catholics. Then again, I never knew there were any other Catechisms aside from the CCC.:o

I’d be interested to read Father Salim’s book to see how closely it maintains the Oriental appreciation for the Atonement and Oriental ecclesiology (which is different from the Eastern). How can I go about getting one? I’ll look it up at the L.A. library. Hope it’s there.

Blessings,
Marduk
 
Dear brother Yeshua
yeshua said:
However, neither are official, however much they might be excellent. I know Abouna Salim’s book is now out of print, though I have no reason why. I finally obtained a copy and could see that many Latinized Maronites would take issue with it in regards to purgatory and the IC, amongst other things. Soon I am going to pour through the religious education series, I will certainly relay my opinions of them if desired.
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I would love to hear/read your opinions, from an Oriental perspective.

Blessings,
Marduk
 
I will stand corrected but the ***Catechism of the Catholic Church ***is THE catechism for the entire Catholic Church. It is not a catechism solely for the Latin Church.

Eastern Catholic Churches sui iuris may come up with their own particular catechism, which is being encouraged by Rome, but such catechisms must be approved (by Rome) before they become official.

The goal being that the particular catechisms must be complementary to each other and to the universal CCC. Thus, contradictions are avoided.
 
Amadeus said:
I will stand corrected but the ***Catechism of the Catholic Church ***is THE catechism for the entire Catholic Church. It is not a catechism solely for the Latin Church.

Eastern Catholic Churches sui iuris may come up with their own particular catechism, which is being encouraged by Rome, but such catechisms must be approved (by Rome) before they become official.

The goal being that the particular catechisms must be complementary to each other and to the universal CCC. Thus, contradictions are avoided.
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I disagree that a local catechism needs the approval of Rome to become “official.” Local bishops, much more Patriarchs, have INHERENT authority to censor books within their jurisdiction, and it has been this way since the early 20th century. It will come to Rome’s attention only if someone brings it to Rome’s attention. In other words, the Curia will not normally take the initiative to censor books. They have left it to the local authorities to do so.

That being said, I would definitely favor an appendix of sorts for each local Eastern/ Oriental Catechism to help explain the complementariness of an Eastern/Oriental teaching that is apparently contradictory to the Latin Church.

For instance, filioque, original sin, Essence/Energies, purgatory, etc. Heck, I wish an appendix to the CCC would be published that makes the different yet complementary theologies of the Eastern/Oriental Churches more clear to the Latin reader.

Blessings,
Marduk
 
JMJ_coder said:
Hello,

O.K. - details, please. I am unfamiliar with Chorbishop Begianni’s book - what is it called, where can it be acquired, etc.?
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He has had a few books. He wrote one called Early Syriac Theology with reference to the Maronite tradition. It is very good but it is not in print. I got it from the library at school. I wish I could get a copy of it.

He also wrote one called Introduction to Eastern Christian Spirituality: The Syriac Tradition. I got this one from Amazon.com. It is probably still in print.
 
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