I’ll never forget the day I discovered the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC). Perhaps it was the Latin that scared me away or those intimidating numbers before each paragraph, but for some reason, I always considered it too complicated a book for me to read myself. It wasn’t until I was eight or nine did I need to personally open the work on my own.
I recall wondering what the difference is between a priest and a deacon. My father, knowing the answer but thinking it was time for me to get over my fear of words like “ecumenical” and “inviolable,” handed me a Catechism and told me to figure it out myself.
To my surprise, the book was easy to navigate. It didn’t take me long to find a clear and concise answer to my question. Why don’t more people talk about this? I finally had a resource that could tell me whether angels are boys or girls, why God would create the devil, and what Adam and Eve were thinking when they ate that fruit! The only thing that bothered me was that I didn’t know who wrote all of this and why I should simply accept it as true.
The Idea for a Catechism
At the 1985 Synod Intervention, Cardinal Bernard Law first publicly suggested the drafting of a catechism:
“I propose a commission of cardinals to prepare a draft of a conciliar catechism to be promulgated by the Holy Father after consulting the bishops of the world. In a shrinking world, global village-national catechisms will not fill the current need for clear articulation of the church’s faith.”
In response to this proposal, Pope John Paul II commissioned twelve cardinals to oversee the work. The chair of this commission was none other than Joseph Ratzinger, prefect of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith and future Pope Benedict XVI. These twelve were charged with drafting a catechism for the Universal Church. It was to act as a “point of reference for the catechisms or compendiums that are prepared in various regions” and to clearly and concisely articulate the Catholic Faith after the Second Vatican Council.
The Writing of the Catechism
The twelve immediately organized a group of 44 consultors worldwide and picked a committee of seven bishops to compose the Catechism. The collaborators met, consulted, drafted, and edited. The texts and drafts were sent to all the Catholic bishops in the world and all of the main Catholic Universities and Institutes. The various backgrounds and differing expertise resulted in over 930 replies and 24,000 suggestions. Pope John Paul II later said that “the harmony of so many voices truly expresses what could be called the ‘symphony’ of the faith.”
The final text was completed by the commission and presented to the Holy Father in February of 1992. On October 11th, 1992, Pope John Paul II presented the Catechism of the Catholic Church to the world.
Listen to Fr. Mike’s new podcast, The Catechism in a Year!
If you have ever wanted to understand what it means to be Catholic and allow those truths to shape your life—this podcast is for you!
Isn’t the Bible a More Direct Path to the Faith?
The Catechism deeply reflects Scripture. Its purpose is to open the Word of God more fully. Pope John Paul II, in his Fidei Depositum says:
“The Catechism of the Catholic Church. . . is a statement of the Church’s faith and of Catholic doctrine, attested to or illumined by Sacred Scripture, the Apostolic Tradition, and the Church’s Magisterium. I declare it to be a sure norm for teaching the faith and thus a valid and legitimate instrument for ecclesial communion.”
Scripture is the first principle of Faith. For us to expound on this Faith and present a clear depiction of the beliefs of the Catholic Church, we must first and foremost ground our work in the Word of God. We see this throughout the entirety of the Catechism. Every topic contains various Biblical references. The bishops cite Deuteronomy while discussing the proliferation of sin; Corinthians helps to explain Baptism; and the Psalms bring light to our understanding of conversion.
The Power of the Catechism
In this way, the Catechism is grounded in God’s Word and filled with truth. This book offers answers to the questions that the faithful—and the non-faithful—might have. It is a work of love, worthy of reading and learning more about. The bishops wanted to guard the Faith and present its rich beauty. This is why they relied heavily on Scripture, Church Doctors, and various Papal Documents and Councils that offer insightful commentary.
What had been an arduous, time-consuming task is now a book that rests on the shelves of teachers, students, parents, and clergy. It holds the answers to the queries of both eight-year-old girls and the most renowned theologians of our time.
Today, I have a few copies of the Catechism on my bookshelf. Although I’m not as afraid of the Latin or numbers anymore, its contents continue to mystify me. As it explains the teachings of the Church, it also tells the story of our Faith. It offers joyful answers to the most gnawing, painful questions burdening man. We now have the opportunity to encounter this work in a unique and unforgettable way: through The Catechism in a Year podcast. I encourage you to join Fr. Mike, myself, and thousands of fellow Catholics on this journey through the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Listen to Fr. Mike’s new podcast, The Catechism in a Year!
If you have ever wanted to understand what it means to be Catholic and allow those truths to shape your life—this podcast is for you!
You May Also Like…
Catechism of the Catholic Church, Ascension Edition
Why You Should Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church [Fr. Mike Video]
Why the Catechism Is So Important
Juliette Wilamowski was born and raised in New Hampshire. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Politics from Ave Maria University. Juliette spends her free time running, reading, and hiking. She cares deeply about the Catholic Faith and seeks new ways to share it with the world. She now resides with her husband in North Carolina.
Oops….I made an error – Mike Gendron’s Website is:
ForTheGospel.org
Thanks!
SCRIPTURE IS THE INSPIRED WORD OF GOD
SCRIPTURE: 2 Timothy 3:15-17 – “…from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ALL Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
The catechism is a heretical work of the RCC. It cherry-picked from the Holy Bible what it wanted to believe in and then added its own heretical beliefs [which the Bible refers to as: “doctrine of demons”]. The Holy Spirit did not inspire the catechism… Satan did. Do you honestly believe that you will see the kingdom of God when you belong to a church that had no problem taking away God’s precious Word and adding their own heretical teachings and traditions? This is what the Word of God warns the RCC and all other religions like it:
SCRIPTURE: Deuteronomy 4:2 – “You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you.”
SCRIPTURE: Mark 7:6-9 – “And He [Jesus] said to them [the Pharisees], “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:
SCRIPTURE : ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me. But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN [not of God].’
SCRIPTURE: Leaving the commandment of God, you hold to the TRADITION of men.” And He was also saying to them, “You are good at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your TRADITION.”
SCRIPTURE: Mark 7:13 – “…..thus invalidating the word of God by your TRADITION which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.”
WARNING FROM GOD:
SCRIPTURE: Hosea 4:6 – “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from ministering as My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I Myself also will forget your children.”
Because you are not born-again, when you stand before the Lamb of God on Judgment Day, He will say to you:
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 7:23 – “I never knew you, depart from Me, you worker of lawlessness”.
And because you follow “doctrines of demons” you will be thrown into the Lake of Fire for all eternity, “where there will be whaling and gnashing of teeth”, where you will live in complete and utter “darkness”, and “where the worm never dies”. There is no Mary or Purgatory to save you….lies from the devil.
Repent and be saved. “You must be born again to see the kingdom of God.” Please begin by reading the Bible / the Holy Word of God, and humbly ask the Lord to help you discern His Word. I fear for all Catholics and all unbelievers. You have no idea what horrors await you during the 7-Year Tribulation period. God will be pouring out His wrath on the entire sinful world. Please take heed of God’s Biblical warnings. If you have any questions, please go to Mike Gendron’s website (forthefaith.org) He’s a former Catholic. His heart is now burdened for those who are where he was (in the Catholic system) for most of his life – eternally condemned and not even aware of it. I pray daily for all Catholics and all unbelievers. My heart breaks for you.
I just read this article on the creation of the Catechism. I am interested in doing the Catechism in a Year, but I have a question. Do I understand – correctly or erroneously – that there have been a couple of “revisions” in this 1983 Catechism (about homosexuality and about capital punishment)? I don’t understand how such “revisions” can be made unless the committee which created the Catechism is consulted and approves such “revisions.” How is it possible for “revisions” to be made about such matters?
Thank You,
Geraldine Nordsieck
Santa Barbara, CA
Hi Geraldine,
I just posted a comment on this site when I noticed your question. I was looking for any responses to your question but couldn’t find one. I would have liked to have read that response.
I’m a former Catholic. I stumbled across this site when I was searching for something on Catholicism.
From what I understand, the RCC can do whatever it wants. If the Pope gives his stamp of approval, the change is made. There’s no searching of Scripture to see what the Lord says on the subject because, as I’m sure you’re aware, the Pope has been given the title of Vicar of Christ, which basically means he’s regarded as Christ here on earth. I believe that’s correct. I don’t know what powers this title affords him but I’m sure you can google that if you’re interested.
Recently, I was reading that Pope Pius XII (I think it was) made the decision that Mary was assumed into heaven, just like Jesus was. Isn’t it interesting how Mary, a mere human creation, is given all the same attributes and titles of Jesus by the Catholic church. She’s Co-Redemptrix (did she die on the cross for our sins?) she’s Mediatrix (she talks to Jesus on our behalf, even though we can talk to him directly); she was born without sin (then why did she recognize she needed a Savior in her Magnificat); she’s doing miracles and appearing to people just like Jesus and now she’s sitting at the right hand of Jesus. There may be more similarities. Anyways, this is ALL COMPLETELY UNBIBLICAL.
So now, the RCC has a truly heretical Pope on their hands. Remember all his heretical decisions, such as worshiping the Pachamammas; telling the world that all religions pray to the same God; same-sex marriage is fine; atheists will go to heaven, etc., etc.
Many Pastors who have been studying the prophecies for over 30 years are saying that Francis just might be the False Prophet mentioned in the Bible. He’s ticking a lot of the boxes. Sorry, but I personally believe the entire Vatican is satanic. Didn’t 200 Cardinals and Bishops pray and ask the Holy Spirit who the next Pope would be, so they could vote according to God’s will? What spirit were they seeking to make that decision. It certainly wasn’t the Holy Spirit. Anyways, even if they did pray to the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity wouldn’t want anything to do with a church that changes God’s Holy Word.
If the Pope was a true man of God, he would have referenced the Holy Bible to see what the God of the universe says about each subject before even considering to make a change. But there again, God wouldn’t care if the catechism was correct or not because it contains man-made doctrine. You cannot split God. You worship Him ONLY or you’re worshiping another god.
Geraldine, please check out Mike Gendron’s website:
ForTheGospel.org
He is a former Catholic who has a heart for unsaved Catholics. He speaks all over the world. You can email him with any questions you have. He is a wonderful, humble man of God.
Jeff Cavins and Fr. Mike Schmitz have inspired me daily and added so much to my spiritual life. I am abundantly grateful. God Bless them for all their work.
Does your new edition of the catechism have a Nihil Obstat and imprimatur?.