U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults

[JRozycki]

We are part of a Catholic Faith Study Group. We are currently reading and discussing the encyclical, The Gospel of Life. We are almost finished with that work, and are therefore considering what we should use next.

One suggestion is the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults. We understand that this work is a more readable adaptation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. We are concerned that in order to present the teaching of the Church in more easily readable form, it has been “watered down,” so to speak.

We would like to know your opinion of this adaptation.

 

[verdigirl]

I absolutely LOVE this tome. I used it last year with my RCIA class, made up of primarily inner-city people, and they were able to understand it very well. The glimpses into the lives of saints and other people were very helpful. It was easy to read and brought the principles of the Faith to a more user-friendly level, which I think is important for evangelization in this day and age.

I can’t recommend it enough.

 

[Joannm]

I absolutely LOVE this tome. I used it last year with my RCIA class, made up of primarily inner-city people, and they were able to understand it very well. The glimpses into the lives of saints and other people were very helpful. It was easy to read and brought the principles of the Faith to a more user-friendly level, which I think is important for evangelization in this day and age.

I can’t recommend it enough.

I agree. The doctrine it presents is not watered down but the presentation is geared more to young adults making it a much easier read. The stories of saints and holy people at the beginning of each chapter make it more interesting to read, especially for those who are not used to reading theology. The CCC can be overwhelming for some but this makes it more accessible. I think it has references to the sections in the CCC if a person wants to explore a concept further.

 

[RomanRevert]

How would this compare to the Baltimore Catechism? I have not seen the US Catholic Catechism yet, but I must admit that any Catechism that has “U.S.” in its title makes me immediately suspicious. From what I have read in the Baltimore Catechism, it seemed concise, unambiguous, and to to the point… a refreshing read, I might add.

 

[chicago]

How would this compare to the Baltimore Catechism? I have not seen the US Catholic Catechism yet, but I must admit that any Catechism that has “U.S.” in its title makes me immediately suspicious. From what I have read in the Baltimore Catechism, it seemed concise, unambiguous, and to to the point… a refreshing read, I might add.

Well, the Baltimore Cathechism was a “U.S.” catechism.

 

[RomanRevert]

Hmmm… that is a good point. I guess I should have have included the word “lately” in that description as in …

“I must admit that lately, any Catechism that has “U.S.” in its title makes me immediately suspicious”

Nice catch.

 

[verdigirl]

Hmmm… that is a good point. I guess I should have have included the word “lately” in that description as in …

“I must admit that lately, any Catechism that has “U.S.” in its title makes me immediately suspicious”

Nice catch.

It bears an imprimitur, if that helps. Nothing to fear here, especially since you can buy it directly from the USCCB website.

 

[Leopard]

Hmmm… that is a good point. I guess I should have have included the word “lately” in that description as in …

“I must admit that lately, any Catechism that has “U.S.” in its title makes me immediately suspicious”…

What other catechisms with U.S. in the title have you read?

 

[scylla]

I think it is just the general distrust smart Catholics have of the US Catholic Bishops as we have had some pretty bad things happen in the last 40 or so years.

On the other hand from what I have heard the U.S. Catholic Catechism is surprisingly faithful and actually pretty good. I have hope for the USCCB as it seems that they are becoming much more faithful to the Church, there are some good Bishops in the United States who need our support.

God Bless
Scylla

 

[verdigirl]

I think it is just the general distrust smart Catholics have of the US Catholic Bishops as we have had some pretty bad things happen in the last 40 or so years.

On the other hand from what I have heard the U.S. Catholic Catechism is surprisingly faithful and actually pretty good. I have hope for the USCCB as it seems that they are becoming much more faithful to the Church, there are some good Bishops in the United States who need our support.

God Bless
Scylla

Oh man, what is with these types of comments? Can we just focus on the US Catechism, please?

 

[scylla]

What is wrong with my comment? I love our Holy Perfect Catholic Faith and am very saddened when I see Christ’s mission of Salvation replaced with a social justice agenda which diminishes our need to preach Christ always, as well as love our neighbor. Some misguided individuals are promoting social justice without a clear message of salvation. An atheist can do that. (I know that sounds extreme but bear with me here)

God’s truth is very important and it is insulting to God when it is ambiguous or wishy washy. His love for us and message of Salvation must be preached clearly and we should always seek to correct errors out of our love of neighbor. To allow anyone to be mislead is the gravest sin and this has happened with some Bishops. So we should be prudent and careful out of Christian charity.

That is the need of the Catechism, to make sure truth is represented. This hasn’t been done very well for about 40 years and now it seems the US Bishops are starting to clear things up and that is a good thing. We should pray for them and support them when they do good like this, and charitably point out errors when they promote them.

Please don’t take my comments in a negative way, I just care about God’s truth which unfortunately wasn’t taught to many of us when we were growing up. Only recently have I come back to the Church after finding out how beautiful the Church really is and how perfect it is. Since the Church is perfect I want it represented honestly and without wishy washy teaching. You have got to admit that Catechesis was pretty wishy washy lately.

But I am with you, I like the new Catechism as far as I know it is pretty clear and well done.

God Bless
Scylla

 

[verdigirl]

What is wrong with my comment? I love our Holy Perfect Catholic Faith and am very saddened when I see Christ’s mission of Salvation replaced with a social justice agenda which diminishes our need to preach Christ always, as well as love our neighbor.

You have got to admit that Catechesis was pretty wishy washy lately.

Are you saying that the Church isn’t supposed to be concerned with social justice?

Matthew 25, anyone?

Yes, I do admit that catechesis is terrible. As Church, we have fallen down, and my generation has fallen away. I have no problem at all with a feeling of familiarity with Christ, however. It is entirely possible to feel reverence for the God who walks beside us always, and this is what the new Catechism edition does a great job of facilitating.

 

[chicago]

It bears an imprimitur, if that helps. Nothing to fear here, especially since you can buy it directly from the USCCB website.

Unless, of course, what you fear is the USCCB, itself.

 

[Joannm]

Unless, of course, what you fear is the USCCB, itself.

When the original CCC was published it was designed to be a reference so that episcopal conferences could use it to put out their own catechism in an easier to use format. I worked on evaluating one of the earlier drafts (i forget which section, it was years ago) which was sent to all dioceses for opinions. While I thought it was geared to a probably an audience of those not well educated in the faith, it did not present anything contrary to what was in the CCC. It is a great tool and is good for those who find the CCC overwhelming (which many people do).

 

[Pius_X]

How would this compare to the Baltimore Catechism? I have not seen the US Catholic Catechism yet, but I must admit that any Catechism that has “U.S.” in its title makes me immediately suspicious. From what I have read in the Baltimore Catechism, it seemed concise, unambiguous, and to to the point… a refreshing read, I might add.

The Baltimore Catechisms, however, is very black and white, and not entirely accurate when compared to the newer catechisms. For example, unbaptized babies may make it to heaven (And in my opinion, they most certainly do.)

 

[Scotty_PGH]

When at all possible, stick with the Baltimore Catechism for assistance in passing on the Catholic faith unambiguously.

Scylla, you are 100% accurate in everything you say.

 

[Scotty_PGH]

The Baltimore Catechisms, however, is very black and white, and not entirely accurate when compared to the newer catechisms. For example, unbaptized babies may make it to heaven (And in my opinion, they most certainly do.)

Your opinion is worth as much as anyone’s on the matter (including mine, which is the same). The fate of unbaptized infants was never defined in dogma, but has always been a theological speculation. Nothing has changed in that regard.

 

[puzzleannie]

How would this compare to the Baltimore Catechism? I have not seen the US Catholic Catechism yet, but I must admit that any Catechism that has “U.S.” in its title makes me immediately suspicious. From what I have read in the Baltimore Catechism, it seemed concise, unambiguous, and to to the point… a refreshing read, I might add.

The Compendium is a better comparison to the Baltimore Catechism, in a Q&A format, and is a great springboard, but you still need some more depth to explain the doctrine behind the answer. I am very plesed with the USCCA for RCIA and adult classes. I am revising our catechist formation classes to use it instead of CCC, with CCC as reference but not main text. Even those adults for whom English is a second language find it readable and understandable.

the wealth of study guides and resources, from the USCCB and other good Catholic publishers, is an added bonus, and you should look into them. We use the one from Our Sunday Visitor.

OP, we also in our Benedictine Oblate group, read Gospel of LIfe together over an 18 month period in study groups, and it has been transforming, strengthening the members who already had a strong pro-life commitment against adversity, and drawing others into a stronger more active pro-life initiatives and commitments, with visible, discernable positive effect in all their various parishes.

My point being do not underestimate the positive effects of such a study on your group and its members, the parish, and other areas of influence in which you participate.

 

[Anne1964]

I love it! It is much easier to read than the CCC, includes stories of saints in each chapter, and provides numerous references to the CCC.

I have always thought of myself as a well education person, been to college, taken some grad courses, etc…, but I found the CCC and the Compendium difficult to read.

The adult catechism is written for a larger audience with a variety of education levels.

 

[PKinsale]

The Baltimore Catechisms, however, is very black and white, and not entirely accurate when compared to the newer catechisms. For example, unbaptized babies may make it to heaven (And in my opinion, they most certainly do.)

What exactly does the Baltimore Catechism say about this? I have heard some people fault the CCC for being a little ambiguous on things.