If the Catechism isn't infallible then what is its point?

[Genesis315]

This is one criticism of the CCC and I can see the point. It does not provide direct theological notes as to the degrees of certainty of each doctrine if presents. As Cardinal Ratzinger noted:

The individual doctrine which the Catechism presents receive no other weight than that which they already possess.

Many of the propositions in the Catechism are taught by the Church with absolute certainty, others with less.

Cardinal Ratzinger addressed this point as follows:

The catechism must certainly avoid giving the impression that all the statements it contains have the same degree of certainty. It would be neither practical nor desirable constantly to indicate these degrees (de fide, de fide definita, sententia communis, etc.). Rather, the doctrine’s degree of certainty should be evident from the context from the way it is stated, from the doctrinal authority of the statement.

Honestly, it’s not the most helpful response. Generally, we should accept everything the Church proposes. If something is causing you trouble in the Catechism, check the footnotes which usually provide a primary source presenting the doctrine with a more easily discernible degree of certainty.

 

[1Lord1Faith]

Honestly, it’s not the most helpful response.

I think it’s helpful. I haven’t seen much of anything else that’s more helpful.

Maybe the CDF can write a “Doctrinal Certainty for Dummies”, and publish it on Divine Mercy Sunday.

 

[TK421]

The CCC provides us the basics, which seems weird because it’s a pretty huge book but each of the suptopics talked about in the CCC are in themselves huge topics. It’s perfectly adequate for everyday questions or for catechists but it’s not exhaustive.

For more complex questions or for digging into something deeply, quoting the CCC can sometimes not be useful.

 

[Rau]

Holy scripture says: Thou shalt not kill.

For help on understanding Scripture, see the Catechism. All acts which kill are not intrinsically evil.

 

[Canvas]

Because it is the most complete summary of the Catholic Faith there is.