Is the Catechism "Open" for Interpretation?

[Romans12]

Whilst in Sydney for WYD I had many in depth conversations that went into the early mornings after the days events.

On one such night a person I was talking with came out with the comment that the Catechism was continually open for interpretation.

To me at the time, my heart just said this was not so. I didn’t say anything just listened to the point of view.

Personally, I believe the Catechism was put together by the Church to nullify interpretation. Overseen by the Holy Spirit. A rule book if you will or a hands on manual for easy reference to the Churches teachings and beliefs. With direct scriptural quotes or links to encyclical’s by the Holy Fathers to back it up in most cases.

For example many young people I have met say they follow the commandments such as “Thou Shall Not Steal”…

But have no problem defending their right to download pirated music, software or movies of various internet sites.

Theft is theft… not to mention copyright laws and the theft of the artists earnings.

I usually quote Matt 22:15-22 When Jesus turns to the Pharisees and says “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

You could argue the point that the Bible is indeed open to interpretation… just look at the different versions out there… Catholic or Otherwise…

Is my way of thinking logical or is indeed the Catechism open for interpretation??

 

[MarcoPolo]

It should only be interpreted in accord with the intended message by the bishops that assembled it. So if a conflict in interpretation ever arose, regarding the Catechism or any other matter, Christ set up a Magisterium from which we could get a single authentic interpretation.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Whilst in Sydney for WYD I had many in depth conversations that went into the early mornings after the days events.

On one such night a person I was talking with came out with the comment that the Catechism was continually open for interpretation.

To me at the time, my heart just said this was not so. I didn’t say anything just listened to the point of view.

Personally, I believe the Catechism was put together by the Church to nullify interpretation. Overseen by the Holy Spirit. A rule book if you will or a hands on manual for easy reference to the Churches teachings and beliefs. With direct scriptural quotes or links to encyclical’s by the Holy Fathers to back it up in most cases.

For example many young people I have met say they follow the commandments such as “Thou Shall Not Steal”…

But have no problem defending their right to download pirated music, software or movies of various internet sites.

Theft is theft… not to mention copyright laws and the theft of the artists earnings.

I usually quote Matt 22:15-22 When Jesus turns to the Pharisees and says “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

You could argue the point that the Bible is indeed open to interpretation… just look at the different versions out there… Catholic or Otherwise…

Is my way of thinking logical or is indeed the Catechism open for interpretation??

Of course the Catechism is open to interpretation.

It is interpreted by the Magisterium of the Church.

 

[NewUlm1976_2000]

Whilst in Sydney for WYD I had many in depth conversations that went into the early mornings after the days events.

On one such night a person I was talking with came out with the comment that the Catechism was continually open for interpretation.

To me at the time, my heart just said this was not so. I didn’t say anything just listened to the point of view.

Personally, I believe the Catechism was put together by the Church to nullify interpretation. Overseen by the Holy Spirit. A rule book if you will or a hands on manual for easy reference to the Churches teachings and beliefs. With direct scriptural quotes or links to encyclical’s by the Holy Fathers to back it up in most cases.

For example many young people I have met say they follow the commandments such as “Thou Shall Not Steal”…

But have no problem defending their right to download pirated music, software or movies of various internet sites.

Theft is theft… not to mention copyright laws and the theft of the artists earnings.

I usually quote Matt 22:15-22 When Jesus turns to the Pharisees and says “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

You could argue the point that the Bible is indeed open to interpretation… just look at the different versions out there… Catholic or Otherwise…

Is my way of thinking logical or is indeed the Catechism open for interpretation??

IMO the CCC is just one interpretation of many of Catholic Teachings. What was chosen and how it was phrased is a subjective matter by the writers. It has its purpose in Church governance, but it is not the end all when discussing Church and world matters in relation to Church teachings. The late Bishop Lucker wrote about (I can dig up the exact pastoral letter if you need it) the updating from Baltimore to the CCC as it had a potential of being a crude litmus test towards some view of a idealized orthodoxy which some can use to stifle discussion at times. I am not discounting orthodoxy, it has its place, but the best application of the CCC is in relation to day to day life of the average Catholic and the many different situations one comes in contact with that a arbitrary list of rules cannot always take into account.

 

[peary1]

Whilst in Sydney for WYD I had many in depth conversations that went into the early mornings after the days events.

On one such night a person I was talking with came out with the comment that the Catechism was continually open for interpretation.

To me at the time, my heart just said this was not so. I didn’t say anything just listened to the point of view.

Personally, I believe the Catechism was put together by the Church to nullify interpretation. Overseen by the Holy Spirit. A rule book if you will or a hands on manual for easy reference to the Churches teachings and beliefs. With direct scriptural quotes or links to encyclical’s by the Holy Fathers to back it up in most cases.

For example many young people I have met say they follow the commandments such as “Thou Shall Not Steal”…

But have no problem defending their right to download pirated music, software or movies of various internet sites.

Theft is theft… not to mention copyright laws and the theft of the artists earnings.

I usually quote Matt 22:15-22 When Jesus turns to the Pharisees and says “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

You could argue the point that the Bible is indeed open to interpretation… just look at the different versions out there… Catholic or Otherwise…

Is my way of thinking logical or is indeed the Catechism open for interpretation??

**The Catechism is to be interpreted according to the will of the Church and its implementation by the bishops and pope. It is a matter-of-fact presentation of why we believe as we do. I don’t see how it could be interpreted otherwise.

Young people are not the only ones who can justify stealing as long as the act is placed in a different context. Everyone can convince themselves that they can get around the commandments in some way and look for ‘loopholes’. That’s only natural. But it is to challenge them to look at their actions and to “walk the talk” as they say.**