Catechism of the Catholic Church

By Sal Ciresi
Herald Columnist
(From the issue of 8/8/02)

The Roman Catechism (1566) was a Magisterial device for catechesis that was one of the many fruits from the Ecumenical Council of Trent (1545-1563). Centuries later, the First Vatican Council (1869-1870) raised the prospect of producing another catechism to advance Catholic truth. This catechetical tool was never carried out to completion; Vatican I was suspended because of the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War. Holy Mother Church would wait until the 20^th-century to give the faithful another catechetical monument: the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The history behind this official work can be summarized from the Apostolic Constitution Fidei Depositum (1992) and the Apostolic Letter Laetamur Magnopere (1997).

At the 1985 Extraordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, convened in Rome, a request was made to Pope John Paul II for a catechism or compendium of Catholic doctrine. This treatise would focus on the Magisterium’s teachings concerning faith and morals. A special commission of Cardinals and Bishops were assembled in 1986 for this project. This group, chaired by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, prepared the initial draft. An editorial committee of diocesan bishops assisted the commission. Both parties were distinguished by their high degree of competence in theology and catechesis.

Over the next six years, nine drafts were composed for the Catechism. The commission gave directives and made emendations to the drafts. The editorial committee took these changes and wrote the actual texts. In order to produce a truly "catholic" work, the editors consulted the universal Bishops (via Episcopal Conferences or Synods) and select theologians, exegetes, and catechists. This entire process, both time consuming and laborious, continued to be overseen by Cardinal Ratzinger’s commission. As the Supreme Teacher within the Catholic Church, the Holy Father followed these events.

Eventually, the Catechism of the Catholic Church was promulgated in 1992 in the French language; common translations soon followed. The official Latin typical edition appeared in 1997, which led to the English "second edition." In terms of format, the Catechism followed the traditional "four pillars of catechesis" in its subject order: The Profession of Faith (Creed); The Celebration of the Christian Mystery (Sacraments); Life in Christ (Decalogue/Ten Commandments); and Christian Prayer (Lord’s Prayer/Our Father). It is well known that these pillars have a rich Patristic heritage from the likes of St. Cyril of Jerusalem (d. A.D. 386) in his Catechetical Lectures.

Many interesting observations can be seen in the similarities between the Roman Catechism and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. First, both catechisms were composed to safeguard Catholic doctrine regarding faith and morals. Second, a commission of specialists scrutinized the production of both treatises. Third, the familiar "four pillars of catechesis" appear in both aids. Fourth, the influence of St. Thomas Aquinas (d. 1274) is evident in the two devices. Fifth, both catechisms are saturated with Sacred Scripture throughout their pages. Sixth, each of the tomes relies on Tradition to explicate the Catholic Faith via the Fathers, Doctors, Saints, and Councils.

As expected, there are also differences between the Roman Catechism and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The latter includes two additional Ecumenical Councils that followed Trent: the First Vatican Council (1869-1870) and the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965). Further, the Catechism addresses points of controversy, particularly in the area of morality, that were unknown in centuries past. One topic that comes to mind is artificial insemination (Nos. 2376-7). Lastly, since the epoch of Trent, the Church has issued many additional Magisterial pronouncements that are included in the 1997 text.

It is worth repeating: a great benefit is derived by reading both Magisterial catechisms as an organic whole. Each text can be purchased for a reasonable price or accessed from the Web (www.cin.org/users/james/ebooks/master/master2.htm). The Companion to the Catechism of the Catholic Church is a great aid to this reading. The Holy Bible should be nearby. As the case with any research, it should begin and end with prayer to the Blessed Trinity.

Ciresi serves on the faculty at the Notre Dame Graduate School of Christendom College.

Copyright ©2002 Arlington Catholic Herald.  All rights reserved.