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Most helpful positive review
235 of 241 people found the following review helpful
5Great Edition
BySteven R. McEvoy "MCWPP"on March 13, 2006
There are many versions of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and even many different editions of each of those versions, so one would beg the question why review a book so readily available and so accessible. That would be a good question to ask. There is the `original edition' the `second edition' and now there is also a `definitive edition' so why would we examine this work?
The answer is that like with Shakespeare, for which there are innumerable editions each reader tends to gravitate towards a specific version or set of editions. In having spent many hours reading these documents over the last few months I can only state categorically that this is the `best packaging' of the Catechism that I have yet to investigate. The larger format makes it easier to work with than many of the smaller pocket version, the wide margins left for personal notes and thoughts is much appreciated. As well this edition is the only one I have found with a glossary and it also has a more extensive index then the other two editions I examined.
The answer is that like with Shakespeare, for which there are innumerable editions each reader tends to gravitate towards a specific version or set of editions. In having spent many hours reading these documents over the last few months I can only state categorically that this is the `best packaging' of the Catechism that I have yet to investigate. The larger format makes it easier to work with than many of the smaller pocket version, the wide margins left for personal notes and thoughts is much appreciated. As well this edition is the only one I have found with a glossary and it also has a more extensive index then the other two editions I examined.
Most helpful critical review
158 of 162 people found the following review helpful
3Catechism of the Catholic Church for the Kindle Fire problem
Byponcho7476on January 20, 2012
I downloaded the Catechism of the Catholic Church for my Kindle Fire, and I am very disappointed with the Table of Contents. I am a Faith Formation teacher and use the catechism on a daily basis. All references to the catechism found in Faith Formation documents and publications are listed as CCC and the number of the paragraph, i.e., CCC 125, CCC 2675, etc., etc. It is impossible to find references the way the Kindle catechism table of contents is laid out. I recommend that an additional page is added to the table of contents, listing CCC #s (at least every 25 paragrapsh) for example - CCC paragraphs: 25 50 75 100 125 150, up to 2675; and when we want to go to one of those paragraphs, we would just touch the number and the kindle would take us to that paragraph. I came up with my own table of CCC #s and have to place it next to my kindle to make it easier to get to the paragraph I need. If I am asked to go to paragraph 115, I go to the location screen and type the location for paragraph 125, then just page back two or 3 pages to 115. But it would be so much easier to just touch paragraph 125 and page back, without having to look on my table for the location, typing it, and then page back.
Is there any way you'all at Amazon can share this information with whoever can update the Kindle Fire digital Catechism so that customer satisfaction improves? Here is my table.
CCC LOCAT CCC LOCAT CCC LOCAT
26 940 1025 6980 2025 11905
50 1060 1050 7105 2050 12000
75 1160 1075 7240 2075 12190
100 1260 1100 7380 2100 12300
125 1360 1125 7490 2125 12410
150 1540 1150 7635 2150 12485
175 1670 1175 7770 2175 12560
200 1805 1200 7855 2200 12770
225 1920 1225 8010 2225 12880
250 2030 1250 8105 2250 12975
275 2230 1275 8215 2275 13120
300 2360 1300 8310 2300 13210
325 2460 1325 8585 2331 13360
354 2570 1350 8635 2350 13425
375 2760 1375 8760 2375 13540
400 2860 1400 8970 2401 13690
425 3045 1420 9070 2425 13790
450 3170 1450 9210 2450 13915
475 3295 1475 9340 2475 14040
500 3510 1501 9425 2500 14125
525 3670 1525 9530 2525 14230
550 3880 1550 9760 2550 14310
574 4035 1575 9890 2575 14500
600 4250 1601 10075 2600 14615
625 4390 1625 10190 2625 14740
650 4610 1650 10345 2650 14945
675 4790 1675 10450 2675 15040
700 4990 1700 10635 2696 15140
725 5185 1725 10730
750 5315 1750 10810 INDEX 19265
775 5505 1775 10875
800 5660 1800 10960 GLOSS 27065
825 5815 1825 11070
850 5945 1850 11140
875 6180 1877 11350
900 6300 1900 11415
925 6395 1925 11495
950 6545 1950 11610
975 6685 1975 11730
1000 6810 2000 11800
Is there any way you'all at Amazon can share this information with whoever can update the Kindle Fire digital Catechism so that customer satisfaction improves? Here is my table.
CCC LOCAT CCC LOCAT CCC LOCAT
26 940 1025 6980 2025 11905
50 1060 1050 7105 2050 12000
75 1160 1075 7240 2075 12190
100 1260 1100 7380 2100 12300
125 1360 1125 7490 2125 12410
150 1540 1150 7635 2150 12485
175 1670 1175 7770 2175 12560
200 1805 1200 7855 2200 12770
225 1920 1225 8010 2225 12880
250 2030 1250 8105 2250 12975
275 2230 1275 8215 2275 13120
300 2360 1300 8310 2300 13210
325 2460 1325 8585 2331 13360
354 2570 1350 8635 2350 13425
375 2760 1375 8760 2375 13540
400 2860 1400 8970 2401 13690
425 3045 1420 9070 2425 13790
450 3170 1450 9210 2450 13915
475 3295 1475 9340 2475 14040
500 3510 1501 9425 2500 14125
525 3670 1525 9530 2525 14230
550 3880 1550 9760 2550 14310
574 4035 1575 9890 2575 14500
600 4250 1601 10075 2600 14615
625 4390 1625 10190 2625 14740
650 4610 1650 10345 2650 14945
675 4790 1675 10450 2675 15040
700 4990 1700 10635 2696 15140
725 5185 1725 10730
750 5315 1750 10810 INDEX 19265
775 5505 1775 10875
800 5660 1800 10960 GLOSS 27065
825 5815 1825 11070
850 5945 1850 11140
875 6180 1877 11350
900 6300 1900 11415
925 6395 1925 11495
950 6545 1950 11610
975 6685 1975 11730
1000 6810 2000 11800
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235 of 241 people found the following review helpful
BySteven R. McEvoy "MCWPP"on March 13, 2006
Format: Paperback
There are many versions of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and even many different editions of each of those versions, so one would beg the question why review a book so readily available and so accessible. That would be a good question to ask. There is the `original edition' the `second edition' and now there is also a `definitive edition' so why would we examine this work?
The answer is that like with Shakespeare, for which there are innumerable editions each reader tends to gravitate towards a specific version or set of editions. In having spent many hours reading these documents over the last few months I can only state categorically that this is the `best packaging' of the Catechism that I have yet to investigate. The larger format makes it easier to work with than many of the smaller pocket version, the wide margins left for personal notes and thoughts is much appreciated. As well this edition is the only one I have found with a glossary and it also has a more extensive index then the other two editions I examined.
The answer is that like with Shakespeare, for which there are innumerable editions each reader tends to gravitate towards a specific version or set of editions. In having spent many hours reading these documents over the last few months I can only state categorically that this is the `best packaging' of the Catechism that I have yet to investigate. The larger format makes it easier to work with than many of the smaller pocket version, the wide margins left for personal notes and thoughts is much appreciated. As well this edition is the only one I have found with a glossary and it also has a more extensive index then the other two editions I examined.
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272 of 281 people found the following review helpful
ByTerrence J. Sexton "Terrence Sexton"on December 27, 1999
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Fulton Sheen once wrote that there are only a handful of Americans who hate the Catholic Church, though there are millions who hate what they think the Church is. This book is a must read for anyone who wants to speak intelligently about the Catholic Church and the faith it proclaims.
Never polemical or overly didactic, the Catechism of the Catholic Church succinctly explains the Christian faith with clarity and charity.
Even Protestants and non-Christians will find the Catechism well-documented, with copious notes and citations to Sacred Scripture, the writings of the early Christian Fathers, and other sources of impeccable authority.
Perhaps the most useful aspect of this book is its accessibility. The Catechism was written with the laity in mind. Students, laymen, and the average reader alike will find it easy to read and understand. At the same time, those interested in serious scholarship will discover a treasure trove of theology, history, and doctrine. Without the Catechism of the Catholic Church, no Christian library is complete. Whether you are a cradle Catholic, a convert, or simply have questions about the Church, you owe it to yourself to read this book.
Never polemical or overly didactic, the Catechism of the Catholic Church succinctly explains the Christian faith with clarity and charity.
Even Protestants and non-Christians will find the Catechism well-documented, with copious notes and citations to Sacred Scripture, the writings of the early Christian Fathers, and other sources of impeccable authority.
Perhaps the most useful aspect of this book is its accessibility. The Catechism was written with the laity in mind. Students, laymen, and the average reader alike will find it easy to read and understand. At the same time, those interested in serious scholarship will discover a treasure trove of theology, history, and doctrine. Without the Catechism of the Catholic Church, no Christian library is complete. Whether you are a cradle Catholic, a convert, or simply have questions about the Church, you owe it to yourself to read this book.
1010 commentsWas this review helpful to you?YesNoSending feedback...Report abuseShow more comments
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267 of 276 people found the following review helpful
Format: Hardcover
I grew up Catholic, served as an altar boy, followed the sacraments and thought I was a Catholic.
I received this as a gift from my parents. While thumbing through it, I realized I had no idea what being a Catholic was.
"Catechism of the Catholic Church" -- officially published by the Vatican -- is used by both protestant and Catholic schools to teach what Catholics believe. The top evangelical college in America (Wheaton College) even uses it for their Catholic theology course.
I realized while reading this I had no idea what a Catholic baptism was, what the Catholic Church said about saints, what Rome has to say about Catholics who have converted to another Christian faith. And I learned some things the priest in our Chicagoland parish was not teaching Catholic doctrine.
Whether you are Catholic or not, there is a fair chance you've bought into some of what pop-culture has said Catholic is and is not. This easy-to-read (thick, but well-organized) book will give you the Catholic position on the matter.
I fully recommend "Catechism of the Catholic Church."
Anthony Trendl
[...]
I received this as a gift from my parents. While thumbing through it, I realized I had no idea what being a Catholic was.
"Catechism of the Catholic Church" -- officially published by the Vatican -- is used by both protestant and Catholic schools to teach what Catholics believe. The top evangelical college in America (Wheaton College) even uses it for their Catholic theology course.
I realized while reading this I had no idea what a Catholic baptism was, what the Catholic Church said about saints, what Rome has to say about Catholics who have converted to another Christian faith. And I learned some things the priest in our Chicagoland parish was not teaching Catholic doctrine.
Whether you are Catholic or not, there is a fair chance you've bought into some of what pop-culture has said Catholic is and is not. This easy-to-read (thick, but well-organized) book will give you the Catholic position on the matter.
I fully recommend "Catechism of the Catholic Church."
Anthony Trendl
[...]
22 commentsWas this review helpful to you?YesNoSending feedback...Report abuseShow more comments
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Please write at least one word
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158 of 162 people found the following review helpful
Byponcho7476on January 20, 2012
Format: Kindle Edition
I downloaded the Catechism of the Catholic Church for my Kindle Fire, and I am very disappointed with the Table of Contents. I am a Faith Formation teacher and use the catechism on a daily basis. All references to the catechism found in Faith Formation documents and publications are listed as CCC and the number of the paragraph, i.e., CCC 125, CCC 2675, etc., etc. It is impossible to find references the way the Kindle catechism table of contents is laid out. I recommend that an additional page is added to the table of contents, listing CCC #s (at least every 25 paragrapsh) for example - CCC paragraphs: 25 50 75 100 125 150, up to 2675; and when we want to go to one of those paragraphs, we would just touch the number and the kindle would take us to that paragraph. I came up with my own table of CCC #s and have to place it next to my kindle to make it easier to get to the paragraph I need. If I am asked to go to paragraph 115, I go to the location screen and type the location for paragraph 125, then just page back two or 3 pages to 115. But it would be so much easier to just touch paragraph 125 and page back, without having to look on my table for the location, typing it, and then page back.
Is there any way you'all at Amazon can share this information with whoever can update the Kindle Fire digital Catechism so that customer satisfaction improves? Here is my table.
CCC LOCAT CCC LOCAT CCC LOCAT
26 940 1025 6980 2025 11905
50 1060 1050 7105 2050 12000
75 1160 1075 7240 2075 12190
100 1260 1100 7380 2100 12300
125 1360 1125 7490 2125 12410
150 1540 1150 7635 2150 12485
175 1670 1175 7770 2175 12560
200 1805 1200 7855 2200 12770
225 1920 1225 8010 2225 12880
250 2030 1250 8105 2250 12975
275 2230 1275 8215 2275 13120
300 2360 1300 8310 2300 13210
325 2460 1325 8585 2331 13360
354 2570 1350 8635 2350 13425
375 2760 1375 8760 2375 13540
400 2860 1400 8970 2401 13690
425 3045 1420 9070 2425 13790
450 3170 1450 9210 2450 13915
475 3295 1475 9340 2475 14040
500 3510 1501 9425 2500 14125
525 3670 1525 9530 2525 14230
550 3880 1550 9760 2550 14310
574 4035 1575 9890 2575 14500
600 4250 1601 10075 2600 14615
625 4390 1625 10190 2625 14740
650 4610 1650 10345 2650 14945
675 4790 1675 10450 2675 15040
700 4990 1700 10635 2696 15140
725 5185 1725 10730
750 5315 1750 10810 INDEX 19265
775 5505 1775 10875
800 5660 1800 10960 GLOSS 27065
825 5815 1825 11070
850 5945 1850 11140
875 6180 1877 11350
900 6300 1900 11415
925 6395 1925 11495
950 6545 1950 11610
975 6685 1975 11730
1000 6810 2000 11800
Is there any way you'all at Amazon can share this information with whoever can update the Kindle Fire digital Catechism so that customer satisfaction improves? Here is my table.
CCC LOCAT CCC LOCAT CCC LOCAT
26 940 1025 6980 2025 11905
50 1060 1050 7105 2050 12000
75 1160 1075 7240 2075 12190
100 1260 1100 7380 2100 12300
125 1360 1125 7490 2125 12410
150 1540 1150 7635 2150 12485
175 1670 1175 7770 2175 12560
200 1805 1200 7855 2200 12770
225 1920 1225 8010 2225 12880
250 2030 1250 8105 2250 12975
275 2230 1275 8215 2275 13120
300 2360 1300 8310 2300 13210
325 2460 1325 8585 2331 13360
354 2570 1350 8635 2350 13425
375 2760 1375 8760 2375 13540
400 2860 1400 8970 2401 13690
425 3045 1420 9070 2425 13790
450 3170 1450 9210 2450 13915
475 3295 1475 9340 2475 14040
500 3510 1501 9425 2500 14125
525 3670 1525 9530 2525 14230
550 3880 1550 9760 2550 14310
574 4035 1575 9890 2575 14500
600 4250 1601 10075 2600 14615
625 4390 1625 10190 2625 14740
650 4610 1650 10345 2650 14945
675 4790 1675 10450 2675 15040
700 4990 1700 10635 2696 15140
725 5185 1725 10730
750 5315 1750 10810 INDEX 19265
775 5505 1775 10875
800 5660 1800 10960 GLOSS 27065
825 5815 1825 11070
850 5945 1850 11140
875 6180 1877 11350
900 6300 1900 11415
925 6395 1925 11495
950 6545 1950 11610
975 6685 1975 11730
1000 6810 2000 11800
1313 commentsWas this review helpful to you?YesNoSending feedback...Report abuseShow more comments
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144 of 149 people found the following review helpful
Format: Mass Market Paperback
I grew up Catholic, served as an altar boy, followed the sacraments and thought I was a Catholic.
I received this as a gift from my parents. While thumbing through it, I realized I had no idea what being a Catholic was.
"Catechism of the Catholic Church" -- officially published by the Vatican -- is used by both protestant and Catholic schools to teach what Catholics believe. The top evangelical college in America (Wheaton College) even uses it for their Catholic theology course.
I realized while reading this I had no idea what a Catholic baptism was, what the Catholic Church said about saints, what Rome has to say about Catholics who have converted to another Christian faith. And I learned some things the priest in our Chicagoland parish was not teaching Catholic doctrine.
Whether you are Catholic or not, there is a fair chance you've bought into some of what pop-culture has said Catholic is and is not. This easy-to-read (thick, but well-organized) book will give you the Catholic position on the matter.
I fully recommend "Catechism of the Catholic Church."
Anthony Trendl
americanspeechwriter.com
I received this as a gift from my parents. While thumbing through it, I realized I had no idea what being a Catholic was.
"Catechism of the Catholic Church" -- officially published by the Vatican -- is used by both protestant and Catholic schools to teach what Catholics believe. The top evangelical college in America (Wheaton College) even uses it for their Catholic theology course.
I realized while reading this I had no idea what a Catholic baptism was, what the Catholic Church said about saints, what Rome has to say about Catholics who have converted to another Christian faith. And I learned some things the priest in our Chicagoland parish was not teaching Catholic doctrine.
Whether you are Catholic or not, there is a fair chance you've bought into some of what pop-culture has said Catholic is and is not. This easy-to-read (thick, but well-organized) book will give you the Catholic position on the matter.
I fully recommend "Catechism of the Catholic Church."
Anthony Trendl
americanspeechwriter.com
0CommentWas this review helpful to you?YesNoSending feedback...Report abuseShow more comments
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135 of 140 people found the following review helpful
ByKarl B. Ericksonon December 12, 2004
Format: Hardcover
One might expect the Catechism to be dry and difficult to understand, but I am incredibly impressed with how well-written and clear the book is to the reader. It not only clearly explains difficult theological concepts so that the lay reader can understand, but it is filled with wonderful footnotes for further research. It is incredibly insghtful and written with a care which really shines through to bless the reader. Whether one is a Catholic, a searching protestant, or one trying to simply understand the Church more clearly, this is the book for you. Investing in its reading will benefit you in the years to come.
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149 of 157 people found the following review helpful
ByDr. Rolf Danielon February 14, 2009
Format: Kindle Edition
The Kindle edition is only a hyperlink text that takes you to the free internet pages of the Catechism. Thus, you are not able to annotate or clip or highlight on your kindle. You can get to all the links for free on your kindle through the sample. There's absolutely no reason to pay for this!
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82 of 85 people found the following review helpful
ByVeritas Lukeon January 18, 2006
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
A good priest I know says every Catholic should own and read at least three books: The Bible, Documents of Vatican II, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church (if you're not Catholic and want to learn what the Church really teaches the Catechism is a good place to start). I agree. The Catechism is an invaluable resource in helping one to know and understand their faith and is chocked full of insightful citations to the other two must-read books mentioned above. You can read it from front to back or use the Subject Index to find what you're most interested in. This version is also very small (you can easily hold it in one hand) but the font is still readable.
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68 of 71 people found the following review helpful
Format: Kindle Edition
The Catechism of the Catholic Church is essential for anyone interested in what the Catholic church really teaches. There have been similar catechisms in the past but taking a different approach of questions and answers. In this systematic approach the reader is led through professing (what we believe) and practicing (how we live) the faith. Surely profession should lead to actions was a theme revisited in Vatican II which led the magisterium to the production of this great work.
The only disappointment here is in the cost of the digital kindle version as compared to the paper form such as Catechism of the Catholic Church: Second Edition. Apparently the marketers of this electronic version are unaware of the trend of affordability in the electronic compared to paper versions of books. It is unfortunate that the cost makes the kindle version less accessible. Surely we would prefer this work to be as handy to Catholics as their Bibles and Missals. But, with this unusual pricing approach for a format that costs little to reproduce, we are not encouraged that this will get the distribution we would like.
The only disappointment here is in the cost of the digital kindle version as compared to the paper form such as Catechism of the Catholic Church: Second Edition. Apparently the marketers of this electronic version are unaware of the trend of affordability in the electronic compared to paper versions of books. It is unfortunate that the cost makes the kindle version less accessible. Surely we would prefer this work to be as handy to Catholics as their Bibles and Missals. But, with this unusual pricing approach for a format that costs little to reproduce, we are not encouraged that this will get the distribution we would like.
1414 commentsWas this review helpful to you?YesNoSending feedback...Report abuseShow more comments
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82 of 91 people found the following review helpful
ByA customeron October 4, 2002
Format: Hardcover
The Catechism of the Catholic Church is a deposit of the Catholic faith. It contains all of the doctrines and teachings of the Church with extensive citations to supporting authority. The first universal catechism in over 400 years (the last was the 16th century "Catechism of the Council of Trent"), this Catechism, in the introductory words of Pope John Paul II, is for "every individual ... who wants to know what the Catholic Church believes".
However, for reasons I will explain later, some Catholics strive to steer other Catholics (and non-Catholics) away from the Catechism by claiming it is "against" or "pre" Vatican II. This is an utterly spurious claim, as demonstrated by the following facts:
1. Vatican II explicitly prescribed a new catechesis of the Catholic faithful. Accordingly, in 1985, an extraordinary synod of Catholic bishops mandated a new catechism.
2. The Catechism of the Catholic Church was completed and published in 1992 (First Edition) and 2000 (Second Edition), with extensive citations to: (i) Scripture; (ii) the Councils of the Church during its 2,000 year history; (iii) the writings of the early Church fathers; (iv) the writings of the saints; and (v) other authorities, such as papal encyclicals, etc. Indeed, every doctrine and teaching propounded in the Catechism (and virtually every sentence) is carefully footnoted to supporting authority.
3. The largest source of citations in the Catechism is, naturally, Scripture. That is, the Catechism cites Scripture more times than it cites any other source.
4. However, THE SECOND LARGEST SOURCE OF CITATIONS IN THE CATECHISM IS VATICAN II. That is, besides Scripture, the Catechism cites the 16 documents of Vatican II more times than it cites any other source.
5. For the record, the Catechism cites the 16 documents of Vatican II a total of SEVEN HUNDRED EIGHTY FIVE (785) times. Given that the Catechism (Hardcover Edition) is 688 pages long, there is an average of 1.14 CITATIONS TO VATICAN II ON EVERY PAGE OF THE CATECHISM.
Thus, the Catechism is predominantly based on two sources: (1) Scripture, and (2) Vatican II. So the next time you hear or read that the Catechism is "against" or "pre" Vatican II, you will know that the person asserting that claim knows absolutely nothing about the Catechism or Vatican II, or, worse, does know but is simply trying to keep you away from the actual teachings of the Catholic Church in the Catechism.
Now, why would a Catholic steer other Catholics (and non-Catholics) away from the Church's teachings in the Catechism? Simple. Since Vatican II, certain Catholics have diligently sought to "modernize" (er, subvert) the Church, but have not been able to do so by citing any of the actual 16 documents issued at Vatican II (nothing in the documents supports their agenda). Instead, as "authority" for their subversive agenda they have invoked the "spirit of Vatican II," an amorphous phrase subject to their whimsical interpretation. Indeed, ever notice how they often claim "the spirit of Vatican II requires CHANGE XYZ", but never claim "Document A, page 12, paragraph 4 of Vatican II requires CHANGE XYZ"?
This is where the Catechism of the Catholic Church comes in. Promulgated as a complete and accurate compendium of Catholic doctrine and teaching, the Catechism utterly refutes the claims of all those who for so long have misconstrued and outright misrepresented Vatican II. The Catechism is, in essence, a written corrective to the plethora of heresies advanced by those citing the "spirit of Vatican II". As such, the Catechism is arguably Pope John Paul II's single greatest contribution to the Catholic Church.
Let us be clear. There are many within the Church who grossly misrepresent its teachings and strive diligently to keep Catholics (and non-Catholics) from those teachings. Just check out the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults ("RCIA") at your local parish. Chances are good that your local RCIA program, which is supposed to catechize (i.e., instruct) converts to the Church on the essentials of Catholicism, will not only not use the Catechism, it will not even mention the Catechism and, worse, use materials (such as "Catholic Update") that contravene Church teachings (this is why so many RCIA programs completely fail in their mission of Catholic catechesis).
Fortunately, we have the Catechism and, in it, the actual doctrines and teachings of the Catholic Church. "Straight from the horse's mouth", as they say. Whether you are a Catholic learning or re-learning the faith, or a non-Catholic interested in what the Church teaches, the Catechism is an absolute "must have". And don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
However, for reasons I will explain later, some Catholics strive to steer other Catholics (and non-Catholics) away from the Catechism by claiming it is "against" or "pre" Vatican II. This is an utterly spurious claim, as demonstrated by the following facts:
1. Vatican II explicitly prescribed a new catechesis of the Catholic faithful. Accordingly, in 1985, an extraordinary synod of Catholic bishops mandated a new catechism.
2. The Catechism of the Catholic Church was completed and published in 1992 (First Edition) and 2000 (Second Edition), with extensive citations to: (i) Scripture; (ii) the Councils of the Church during its 2,000 year history; (iii) the writings of the early Church fathers; (iv) the writings of the saints; and (v) other authorities, such as papal encyclicals, etc. Indeed, every doctrine and teaching propounded in the Catechism (and virtually every sentence) is carefully footnoted to supporting authority.
3. The largest source of citations in the Catechism is, naturally, Scripture. That is, the Catechism cites Scripture more times than it cites any other source.
4. However, THE SECOND LARGEST SOURCE OF CITATIONS IN THE CATECHISM IS VATICAN II. That is, besides Scripture, the Catechism cites the 16 documents of Vatican II more times than it cites any other source.
5. For the record, the Catechism cites the 16 documents of Vatican II a total of SEVEN HUNDRED EIGHTY FIVE (785) times. Given that the Catechism (Hardcover Edition) is 688 pages long, there is an average of 1.14 CITATIONS TO VATICAN II ON EVERY PAGE OF THE CATECHISM.
Thus, the Catechism is predominantly based on two sources: (1) Scripture, and (2) Vatican II. So the next time you hear or read that the Catechism is "against" or "pre" Vatican II, you will know that the person asserting that claim knows absolutely nothing about the Catechism or Vatican II, or, worse, does know but is simply trying to keep you away from the actual teachings of the Catholic Church in the Catechism.
Now, why would a Catholic steer other Catholics (and non-Catholics) away from the Church's teachings in the Catechism? Simple. Since Vatican II, certain Catholics have diligently sought to "modernize" (er, subvert) the Church, but have not been able to do so by citing any of the actual 16 documents issued at Vatican II (nothing in the documents supports their agenda). Instead, as "authority" for their subversive agenda they have invoked the "spirit of Vatican II," an amorphous phrase subject to their whimsical interpretation. Indeed, ever notice how they often claim "the spirit of Vatican II requires CHANGE XYZ", but never claim "Document A, page 12, paragraph 4 of Vatican II requires CHANGE XYZ"?
This is where the Catechism of the Catholic Church comes in. Promulgated as a complete and accurate compendium of Catholic doctrine and teaching, the Catechism utterly refutes the claims of all those who for so long have misconstrued and outright misrepresented Vatican II. The Catechism is, in essence, a written corrective to the plethora of heresies advanced by those citing the "spirit of Vatican II". As such, the Catechism is arguably Pope John Paul II's single greatest contribution to the Catholic Church.
Let us be clear. There are many within the Church who grossly misrepresent its teachings and strive diligently to keep Catholics (and non-Catholics) from those teachings. Just check out the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults ("RCIA") at your local parish. Chances are good that your local RCIA program, which is supposed to catechize (i.e., instruct) converts to the Church on the essentials of Catholicism, will not only not use the Catechism, it will not even mention the Catechism and, worse, use materials (such as "Catholic Update") that contravene Church teachings (this is why so many RCIA programs completely fail in their mission of Catholic catechesis).
Fortunately, we have the Catechism and, in it, the actual doctrines and teachings of the Catholic Church. "Straight from the horse's mouth", as they say. Whether you are a Catholic learning or re-learning the faith, or a non-Catholic interested in what the Church teaches, the Catechism is an absolute "must have". And don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
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