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.”
I see the Catechism as a teaching tool, where the fundamentals of Catholicism are presented and explanations for the doctrines of the Church given.This work is** intended primarily for those responsible for catechesis**: first of all the bishops, as teachers of the faith and pastors of the Church. It is offered to them as an instrument in fulfilling their responsibility of teaching the People of God. Through the bishops, it is addressed to redactors of catechisms, to priests, and to catechists. It will also be useful reading for all other Christian faithful.
The Catechism compiles and explains the teachings and obligations of the Church, but it does not by itself create those obligations. So, for instance, your state (looks like you’re in South Carolina) has a traffic code, which is Title 56, Chapter 5 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. The code creates the obligations for motorists, like Section 56-5-440:Are Catholics required to be obedient to the Catechism of the Catholic Church? I have seen other people on these forums saying the Catechism is not infallible, and therefore, it is up to our interpretation. Is not the Catechism an official teaching of the Church? Are we not suppose to be faithful & obedient to all teachings of the Church? What is the purpose of the Catechism, if it is only a guideline or a book of suggestions?
Are Catholics required to be obedient to the Catechism of the Catholic Church? I have seen other people on these forums saying the Catechism is not infallible, and therefore, it is up to our interpretation. Is not the Catechism an official teaching of the Church? Are we not suppose to be faithful & obedient to all teachings of the Church? What is the purpose of the Catechism, if it is only a guideline or a book of suggestions?
That’s a respectable viewpoint. However, from the Catholic point of view, the Church is more than just a group of like-minded individuals who get together to worship God and appoint someone from among them to be in charge. It’s the divinely-instituted Body of Christ, guided by the Holy Spirit. The same faith that I have in the future – that Christ will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and all that – gives me faith in the future of the Church and its teachings. My faith in God gives me faith in God’s Church. To say, “I’m not sure I could agree with what the Church will teach tomorrow” would be, for me, tantamount to a complete denial of the divine origins and guidance of the Church.I think you’ve put your finger on one of the primary issues still remaining for non-Roman catholics, interested in walking together with Rome.
While the charism of infallibility is only officially assigned to the pope in particular instances, and to ecumenical councils, the expectation of submission to the local bishop (or the pope) is a daily kind of thing. So, while the catechism is not technically infallible, from a lay perspective, it is binding, just like any other utterance of the Church. For example, those Anglicans who have accepted the offer of Rome to come over en masse, have signed their subscription to the CCC in formal sessions.
So, for most of us outside the communion of Rome, we’re not willing to bow to whatever Rome may or may not teache next, even if we agree with what she is teaching today. Once the councilliar tradition died in the west, the proclivities of whatever pontiff ascended St. Peter’s chair became de facto binding on every Roman Christian. There is no authentic appeal process to what an individual conscience may discern to be error in a teaching of Rome (for example, the CCC) since submission is the rule. What seems to emerge are cloaked factions, all contriving for control, seeking to get their own pope on the throne.
If I recall, this was fundamentally C.S. Lewis’ response for why he never joined the RCC. He was in agreement with much, if not all the doctrines promulgated by Rome in his time, but he could not promise that he would be in agreement with whatever they came up with next, be it catechism or otherwise. Such is the case for many of us, who are willing only to submit to the Scriptures, and those men who have themselves submitted to them.
Grace and peace.
Just to clarify, the two paragraphs I quoted from the Prologue to the Catechism were under the heading: **“The Aim and Intended Readership of this Catechism” **, which I used as they appeared to address some of your post. The entire Prologue is 25 paragraphs in length. In a quick review of it I did not see any reference to parental responsibility for teaching children using the Catechism. I would agree with your impression about who is to use it and how.Thanks for the (name removed by moderator)ut. What about areas that talk about grave matter or sin when it comes to things such as missing Sunday Mass or masturbation? Some people will argue these are not mortal sins.
Also, I have read the Catechism, but did not pay much attention to the prologue, thanks for pointing it out. I wish the prologue would have included parents. Do not parents have the first responsibility to teach their children the Catholic faith? It is not the sole responsibility of the Church. Besides the last sentence of the prologue, the prologue makes it sound like the Catechism is mainly supposed to be used by the Church for catechesis. I believe more emphasis should be made on all Catholics to read the Catechism. It is not only for teaching within the Church. I am glad I received one during RCIA.
Do you have a reference or source (outside of yourself) for this " self -designed rule or axiom"…where in the scripture or the ancient church (Apostle age or the Fathers age) does anyone say this?..or…it is an invention the the 16th Cenruty?..When you use the scriptures you find guidance like this:Such is the case for many of us, who are willing only to submit to the Scriptures, and those men who have themselves submitted to them.
I never before heard your explanation of why CS Lewis did not became a Catholic…if your answer is correct (no ref given to support your claim)… then Mr. Lewis’ problem was not “authority”…his problem was based on the “cornerstone” of all bad spiritual decisions (and many temporal ones also)…Pride.1 Timothy 3:15 (New International Version) 15if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
Introduction to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger & Christopher Schoenborn. [Ignatius Press, 1994]…The individual doctrines which the Catechism presents receive no other weight than that which they already possess. The weight of the Catechism itself lies in the whole. Since it transmits what the Church teaches,whoever rejects it as a whole separates himself beyond question from the faith and teaching of the Church…
Interestingly, the people who point such things out never point to any offical teaching of the Church. They may refer to a certain theologian who opines such, but that theologian’s opinions are just that - opinions; and when they do not conform to the teachibng of the Church, that opinion and a couple of dollars will get you somehwere on the local transit system. that whole ruckus started after Vatican 2; it is a long and interesting (and truly sad) stoory, far too long to go into here. Howefver, much if not most of it sources back to Situational Ethics, started by an Anglican Episcipalian priest. It has lead any number of theologians down a path to moral relativism.Thanks for the (name removed by moderator)ut. What about areas that talk about grave matter or sin when it comes to things such as missing Sunday Mass or masturbation? Some people will argue these are not mortal sins.
Yes. Our families are our ‘Domestic Church’. It should start with the Parents.Do not parents have the first responsibility to teach their children the Catholic faith?
The CCC contains a summary of all Church teachings (doctrine and discipline).Are Catholics required to be obedient to the Catechism of the Catholic Church? I have seen other people on these forums saying the Catechism is not infallible, and therefore, it is up to our interpretation. Is not the Catechism an official teaching of the Church? Are we not suppose to be faithful & obedient to all teachings of the Church? What is the purpose of the Catechism, if it is only a guideline or a book of suggestions?
That is a good explanation.Introduction to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger & Christopher Schoenborn. [Ignatius Press, 1994]