New Catechism from the USCCB?

[Br.Rich_SFO]

First, I did not suggest that CCD and RCIA is a waste in my parish – you did and that’s wrong.

I have never been part of a parish that gives out Bibles or catechisms.

Finally, your comments about the tax exempt status is also wrong. I never suggested that such status “mean it has vast stores of wealth” – you did and again, that’s wrong.

We did every person in RCIA, (after the Rite of Acceptance and Welcome) received a Catholic Bible and a paperback Catechism. We also obtained some audio tapes and pamphlets for them. At no cost to them. I would like to us charge a minimum fee for RCIA and obtain an Adult Catechism, a Catholic Pocket Dictionary, A Catholic Bible, and maybe a full paperback Catechism for reference for each person in RCIA. I really believe the New Adult Catechism should become the standard RCIA textbook.

 

[Distressed]

I think that one should not complain unless one is willing to “put their money where their mouth is”. Now I am not suggesting that anyone is not already doing that but if you would like to see distributions of literature in your parish I would suggest the following:

1. Write a letter to the people of your parish with your concern that people receive such information for free. Request that the letter be published in your bulletin and request donations that are disignated to go directly to this cause. In other words, the parish could not spend the money for anything else.
2. Donate money and time yourself to get this set up and going. Work with the parish administration on finding what literature to give out and how to obtain it for a reasonable price.

You don’t get it. This is not a matter of my parish (or diocese) or your parish (or diocese) providing free catechisms. It’s about the Church acting united at a national level to make these things available to ANYONE that requests them.

As an example, the Mormons will send you a Bible or their Book of Mormon if you call their toll free number – anywhere in the world. I think there are something like 15-20 million Mormons in the entire world and they are able to do this – not because they have more money, but because they are far better organized.

With nearly 80 million Catholics in the USA alone, we should be able to approach something like this on a national level. It’s not going to happen however because the USA is broken into 200+ fiefdoms that cannot coordinate and plan anywhere near the level of efficiency and teamwork of say the Mormon group.

Another example would be Catholic media. The US Bishops tried and failed to create a Catholic network of sorts. Too bureaucratic and splintered. It took EWTN to make it happen.

 

[Distressed]

We did every person in RCIA, (after the Rite of Acceptance and Welcome) received a Catholic Bible and a paperback Catechism. We also obtained some audio tapes and pamphlets for them. At no cost to them. I would like to us charge a minimum fee for RCIA and obtain an Adult Catechism, a Catholic Pocket Dictionary, A Catholic Bible, and maybe a full paperback Catechism for reference for each person in RCIA. I really believe the New Adult Catechism should become the standard RCIA textbook.

That’s wonderful, but it’s a far cry from a national program that would put these materials into the hands of ANYONE who requests them for little or no charge

 

[chicago]

How many bishops does it take to screw in a lightbulb?

 

[Distressed]

If I misunderstood the above, please explain what you meant…

Machines to print and bind books are expensive, very expensive. To distribute those items also costs money. I’ve worked in distribution, I have seen the costs first hand. In order to purchase that equiptment and set up the facilities, the entity in question would need large sums of money. You did toss the tax-exempt phrase around earlier, and my point was just because a religious order or Parish or Diocise is tax exempt does not mean they can afford to set up a printing and distribution network.

Not so. With no licensing or advertising fees, no income tax and shipped by the pallet, a Bible or a copy of the CCC would cost about a buck a copy (or less) FOB any Catholic parish in the USA – whether it was printed by a monastery that needed an “industry” to keep going or whether it was jobbed-out to a contract printer. There are already plenty of Catholic industries (Rosaries, hosts, etc.) This is nothing new. If EWTN can be created, this could be.

Lastly, when I speak of a Parish giving away Bibles - I do not mean there is a rack in the vestibule with a “free, take one” sign - I mean if a person went to your Parish office or Priest or the DRE and said “I do not have a Bible, could you give me one?” they would not give that person a Bible? Wow, that is truly shocking. I live in a poor state, and we have so few Catholics here - yet, I’ve never seen anyone ask for a Bible and be denied. I’ve seen our staff go and pay full price at the retail book store to keep Bibles on the shelf for those who need them. When I went through RCIA (different Parish hundreds of miles away), a copy of the CCC was given to everyone, I don’t have that one anymore, I since gave it away to someone else…

I have never seen anyone ask for a Bible.

I am sorry your Parish is this way, perhaps you could check with Bishop’s office about making some changes?

I am sorry you didn’t understand my posting of making these resources available nationally to anyone who wants them.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

That’s wonderful, but it’s a far cry from a national program that would put these materials into the hands of ANYONE who requests them for little or no charge

I agree, It would be nice if we had material to give away. This is where the Lay faithful apostolates could help. Groups of people who want to promote Catholic Evangelization could get to gether with other groups and make bulk purchases for publishers. I know some publishers who offer 43% discount in some inatances. (+shipping)

 

[Dr.Bombay]

How many bishops does it take to screw in a lightbulb?

Let’s see. One to chair the committee to study the issue of lightbulbs and their place in the post-Conciliar paradigm.

A couple to make catty comments to National Catholic Reporter and *Commonweal *about how burned out light bulbs have just as much right to be screwed in as working light bulbs.

A few more to insist that flashlights can, in extraordinary situations, serve the same function as a lightbulb.

Several to appoint a task force to devise a plan for light bulb replacement and make certain it doesn’t unduly burden migrant workers.

At least one to claim that what goes on between a light bulb and a socket is not the Church’s business.

And finally…one to just screw the stupid light bulb in and then go back to shepherding his flock.

 

[Distressed]

I agree, It would be nice if we had material to give away. This is where the Lay faithful apostolates could help. Groups of people who want to promote Catholic Evangelization could get to gether with other groups and make bulk purchases for publishers. I know some publishers who offer 43% discount in some inatances. (+shipping)

I’m not talking about something at that level – although that would be better than much of what we see today.

The best way to describe it is if the USA had its own primate and a program like this was instituted nationally. The effects in the USA would be astounding. On this nad many other programs.

 

[chicago]

Let’s see. One to chair the committee to study the issue of lightbulbs and their place in the post-Conciliar paradigm.

A couple to make catty comments to National Catholic Reporter and *Commonweal *about how burned out light bulbs have just as much right to be screwed in as working light bulbs.

A few more to insist that flashlights can, in extraordinary situations, serve the same function as a lightbulb.

Several to appoint a task force to devise a plan for light bulb replacement and make certain it doesn’t unduly burden migrant workers.

At least one to claim that what goes on between a light bulb and a socket is not the Church’s business.

And finally…one to just screw the stupid light bulb in and then go back to shepherding his flock.

Indeed. Or, to put it more plainly, “How many? I don’t know; they’re still discussing the topic!”

(Of course, eventually they would come to the conclusion that it is best to merely issue a statement that everyone has a right to screw in their own light bulbs but that it ought, naturally, be done in a spirit of community with due respect given to who the light bulb screwer gets to be without prejudice to race, sex, language, or political affiliation. Choice of light bulb will be up to the individual bishop, but a recommended list will be put together by the subcommittee on light, made up of bright people who aren’t neccesarily the best bulbs - but let’s praise them for their dedication to the Church and it’s bureaucracy, anyway.

And then the matter will be passed off to Rome as everybody knows nobody else can get the matter furthered let alone make heads nor tails out of what any of this means, anyway, but only after they vote to pass the directive, over the usual objectors’ insistence that this statement is watered down and their suggestion that it really would be best to send it back to committee for further work, afterall - to be brought up again before the full body of bishops in a year or so.)

Sound about right?

 

[Elzee]

The more I think about this the more confused I am…why do we need a “United States” Catechism? Maybe it’s just the title that I think may lead to confusion… it almost sounds like we have a different catechism (different doctrines) than the rest of the world? (enforcing the “there go those American Bishops again” or 'is there a separate ‘American’ Catholic Church?? mentality).

I know that what is in here must be the same teaching as in the Catechism and the Compendium (perhaps in a different format?), but if that is they case, why is it labelled the 'United States" catechism? What am I missing here on why this is needed ?? (I haven’t seen the book yet, so I’m sorry if this is a silly question.)

 

[Orogeny]

I’m not talking about something at that level – although that would be better than much of what we see today.

The best way to describe it is if the USA had its own primate and a program like this was instituted nationally. The effects in the USA would be astounding. On this nad many other programs.

Well, as my pastor would say, that’s a great idea and thank you for volunteering!

Why don’t you contact the USCCB and volunteer your time and services to start a ministry to do just what you are proposing. Don’t wait on someone else. Take charge and see it through.

Peace

Tim

 

[amills]

So if you want it at a national level - what are you doing to get it done at the national level? You are the one seeing the problem maybe that is because God has chosen you to be the start of the solution.

How do you think the national level gets started - one parish at a time until it is able to unite into on national organization.

Personally I don’t believe in complaining unless I am willing to put forth effort to implement what I see needs to be done.

 

[chicago]

The more I think about this the more confused I am…why do we need a “United States” Catechism? Maybe it’s just the title that I think may lead to confusion… it almost sounds like we have a different catechism (different doctrines) than the rest of the world? (enforcing the “there go those American Bishops again” or 'is there a separate ‘American’ Catholic Church?? mentality).

I know that what is in here must be the same teaching as in the Catechism and the Compendium (perhaps in a different format?), but if that is they case, why is it labelled the 'United States" catechism? What am I missing here on why this is needed ?? (I haven’t seen the book yet, so I’m sorry if this is a silly question.)

It’s a more localized, “national” Catechism, not unlike the old Baltimore Catechism was. It’s meant to be instruction from the region’s bishops presented in a manner and attuned to the concerns/culture of the area which may break things down a little more plainly for the average Catholic of the United States. Now, whether they suceeded at this or to what extent it was really needed, only time will tell.

 

[Elzee]

It’s a more localized, “national” Catechism, not unlike the old Baltimore Catechism was. It’s meant to be instruction from the region’s bishops presented in a manner and attuned to the concerns/culture of the area which may break things down a little more plainly for the average Catholic of the United States. Now, whether they suceeded at this or to what extent it was really needed, only time will tell.

I guess I still don’t get it. I thought the Compendium was the book that was supposed to break the CCC down more plainly.

I’m still confused why we, in the U.S., need something particular to us? Are there catechisms for other countries? I guess I don’t see the need for that either…maybe I’m just having a major brain cramp.

 

[chicago]

I’m still confused why we, in the U.S., need something particular to us? Are there catechisms for other countries? I guess I don’t see the need for that either…maybe I’m just having a major brain cramp.

Ideally, teaching comes from the local bishop. So, theoretcially, there could even be diocesan catechisms. It’s considered a natural progression that the universal catechism should be digested into teachings that come from a more particular level such as national bishops’ conferences provide. Again, it’s not unlike when there wasd the catechism of Trent which eventually got broken down into more particular teaching guides for specific audiences. I don’t personally know of other regional catechisms, but I would expect that if they don’t yet exist they soon will.

Now, given, you raise a legitimate question as to whether these are reallly necessary at this time and what their relative merit will be. But they are considered to be called for by the Church’s intention.

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

How many bishops does it take to screw in a lightbulb?

4522​

4500 to come together to talk about what to do about the bulb

20 as synodal presidents

One as relator

And the Pope to give them permission to change the bulb ##

 

[puzzleannie]

Printing and distributing catechisms (especially their own where there would be zero royalty) isn’t all that expensive – certainly not if done on a national basis, perhaps with the help of a religious order or society using the Church’s tax-free status.

I’m guessing it could be done in quantity at less than $1.00/copy, FOB any parish in the 48 states.

I …

this displays a naivete about the publishing industry, maybe you need to check up on your assertion about the costs. $1 would not even pay the shipping.

 

[CRW]

A Protestant friend just asked me if I liked the “new catechism from the American bishops.” I explained that the both the CCC and the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church are from the Holy See, not the USCCB.

Well, I was proven wrong – there is a new catechism:

amazon.com/United-States-Catholic-Catechism-Adults/dp/1574554506/sr=8-1/qid=1161234097/ref=sr_1_1/102-1722458-7248930?ie=UTF8&s=books

Has anyone taken a look yet? I can’t believe I just learned of this.

Yes I have a copy but I am afraid that I will never be able to quote it…
“Copyright © 2006, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved. **No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic **or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by and information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright holder.”

I hide my copy under my bed so my wife would not read it.

 

[prv]

JMJ + OBT​

Nope. The one we’re talking about is newer even than the Compendium, published by the USCCB, and is only available in print at this time (I don’t expect it will be made freely available on-line, at least not for many years; the need to cover publication costs through books sales will prohibit that.):

images.barnesandnoble.com/images/11350000/11354400.jpg

In Christ.

IC XC NIKA

What’s different about it from the one published by the Holy See?

 

[whosebob]

What’s different about it from the one published by the Holy See?

JMJ + OBT​

It’s an entirely different book. The Compendium is in “question and answer format” whereas this new U.S. Catechism is not.

If you visit the following page you can download a sample chapter, the table of contents, and an overview presentation of the new U.S. Catechism: usccbpublishing.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=702

The entire Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church can be freely read on-line, in multiple languages, as can the Catechism: vatican.va/archive/ccc/index.htm

In Christ.

IC XC NIKA