The publication of the
Catechism resulted from the need on the part of the Catholic hierarchy to provide an intellectually respectable answer to the challenge of Protestantism.
Now a new updated Vatican approved version of the
Catechism is on sale - and it is proving popular with the faithful.
from our
catechism must certainly have sounded terribly odd to someone
The book's second part, on the
catechisms' `message' or doctrinal content, follows the structure of the
catechism with chapters on the creed, the decalogue, the Lord's Prayer and the sacraments, and further chapters on predestination and soteriology.
' The third part of the
Catechism deals with the final end of man created in the image of God: beatitude and the ways of reaching it - through right conduct freely chosen, with the help of God's law and grace and through conduct that fulfils the twofold commandment of charity specified in God's Ten commandments.
Her volunteerism doesn't end with her
catechism class, said Breanna Mekuly, the university minister who nominated Oliva, her student assistant, for recognition.
Its format is that of question-answer, with references to more complete explanations in the adult
Catechism of the Catholic Church 1992 (1997); and quotes from Sacred Scripture, writers, saints and doctors of the Church.
An ecumenical
catechism would capture what Kasper called the "achievements" of 40 years of ecumenical dialogue.
I am glad that Luther's Small
Catechism is included in the assembly edition of Evangelical Lutheran Worship and the pew edition of Lutheran Service Book.
Many readers will recall being asked that question in their Sunday school years as they, sometimes unhappily but usually diligently, attempted to memorize the Shorter
Catechism. Once memorized, the answers would be recited to some long-suffering elder, a way of ensuring you were ready for a profession of faith.
Marthaler, theologian, religious educator, and church historian once again provides a study that is timely and helpful--timely because it is appearing so soon after the publication of the
Catechism of the Catholic Church, helpful because this new universal
catechism, though intended to heal grievances among Catholics, has to some extent exacerbated them.
With Pope John Paul II scheduled to visit Denver in mid-August, it occurred to me (in mid,July) that it might be appropriate to write an article about the new
catechism of the Catholic church, formally approved by the pope on October 11, 1992.