The Catechism of the Catholic Church

1. The Catechism of the Catholic Church

2. Questions • Was Jesus ultimately: • more human than divine • more divine than human • half and half (equally human and divine) • None of the above Jesus is fully God and fully man. 100% God & 100% Man CCC 464

3. Heresies taught that Jesus was: Divine but not human Human but not divine Human & divine persons (remaining separate) Divine; human nature ceased to exist Docetism Arianism Nestorianism Monophysitism -CCC 465

4. How did the Church Respond?

5. Ecumenical Councils • How many ecumenical councils have there been throughout Church History? • 21 universal

6. First Council First Council of Nicaea (325) repudiated Arianism, declared that Christ is of the same substance as the Father adopted the original Nicene Creed, fixed the date for Easter

7. Was Jesus’ knowledge infinite while he walked on Earth if he was truly God? • If Jesus was divine then are pictures made of him in violation of last part of the 1st Commandment: "Do not make an image or any likeness of what is in the heavens above..." • CCC 472, 476

8. Read in brief 479-483

9. Why have a catechism? Why have the Magisterium? Does Christianity need a human authority? Does Christianity need an authoritative Church?

10. Why is the Magisterium important? It clearly defines the teaching of the faith. What does the church teach about: abortion, same-sex marriage, warfare, capital punishment, sin, suffering, salvation, death, heaven, hell, & purgatory ? Many Churches are in a constant state of division over such topics.

11. If we do not recognize one definitive source of Christian teaching then we act as if there are millions (as many as there are people) or we act as if there is none

12. What is a Catechism? • A text which contains fundamental Christian truths, • formulated in a clear way • to make easier the understanding and reception of these truths.

13. Catechism Origin of the word • It derives from "catechesis“ To teach by word of mouth • The Greek word (κατηχιsmός) means • to proclaim loudly • to make an echoing sound • A word which the ancient Greeks used in the theatre • Use in the early Church (Acts 18; Galatians 6). Editorial Commission of the CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH INFORMATIVE DOSSIER (http://www.vatican.va)

14. Catechesis Catechesis indicates the primary duty of a Christian – to spread the faith. The deeds and the work had to provoke an "echo" in the mind and in the heart of the listeners, to transform all their life. Catechesis denotes both the act of instructing and the subject-matter of the instruction.

15. The Origins of Catechism • Instruction for the catechumenate (adult converts) in preparation for Baptism • Religious instruction of children New Catholic Dictionary (http://www.catholic-forum.com)

16. Famous Catechisms through History • Martin Luther and John Calvin • Catechisms of the Reformation • Peter Canisius • A catechism for the masses • Catholics in exile • Penny Catechism

17. Two Most Famous Catechisms • Roman Catechism Catechism of the Council of Trent - 1566 • not a school-book, but a manual for clergy & educators • brought about a greater uniformity of Christian doctrine following the Protestant Reformation. • Baltimore Catechism Third Council of Baltimore, MD – 1885 The establishment of a uniform textbook of Christian doctrine for American Catholics New Catholic Dictionary (http://www.catholic-forum.com) Last universal catechism Only for Catholic Church in America

18. The Penny Catechism • Purpose • Original cost - • question and answer form • 370 questions and answers to be memorized The Penny Catechism: a long lasting text  J. P. Marmion (http://faculty.ed.uiuc.edu/westbury/Paradigm/Marmion3.html) One Penny

19. Sample Questions from the Penny Catechism • Why did God make you? • What must you do to save your soul? • What do you mean when you say that the Pope is infallible? • Why did our Savior suffer?

20. Answers Why did God make you? • God made me to know Him, love Him and serve Him in this world, and be happy with Him forever in the next. Memorize this

21. What must you do to save your soul? • To save my soul I must worship God by Faith, Hope and Charity; that is, I must believe in him, I must hope in him, and I must love him with my whole heart.

22. What do you mean when you say that the Pope is infallible? • When I say that the Pope is infallible, I mean that the Pope cannot err when, as Shepherd and Teacher of all Christians, he defines a doctrine concerning faith or morals, to be held by the whole Church.

23. Why did our Savior suffer? • Our Savior suffered to atone for our sins, and to purchase for us eternal life.

24. And Now Four centuries in the making A monumental undertaking The first definitive universal Catholic Catechism since the Council of Trent in 1566 Detailing the doctrine, dogma, and the basic tenets of the Church. The Catechism of the Catholic Church

25. Catechism of The Catholic ChurchTimeline • October 1985:The recommendation of the Synod of Bishops:"There were many who expressed the wish that a catechism of all Catholic doctrine regarding both faith and morals be prepared. • July 1986:Decision of the Holy Father to appoint a Commission of Cardinals and Bishops for the preparation of a catechism. • 1987:40 international experts are consulted • February 1989:A draft is sent to all Bishops for their observations • 1991:There have been seven editions since the beginning of the undertaking • June 1992:Official approval by the Holy Father of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

26. Significance of the Catechism • "A sure and certain standard for the teaching of the faith." -- Pope John Paul II. Sources for the Catechism: 1. Sacred Scripture 4. the Magisterium 2. the Church Fathers 5. the Councils of the Church 3. the Liturgy 6. the Lives of the Saints

27. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is addressed • to the Bishops, in so far as they are the defenders of the Faith • to all the teachers of the faith • to all the People of God

28. what the Catholic Church 1. believes 2. celebrates 3. lives 4. prays the Creed the Sacraments the Commandments and the Beatitudes the Our Father Structure • The plan of this catechism is inspired by the great tradition of catechisms which build catechesis on four pillars: Based on

29. The Apostles Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord; He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary, He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father, from thence he will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the Communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, and life everlasting. Amen.

30. The Seven Sacraments • Baptism • Confirmation • Eucharist (Holy Communion) • Holy Matrimony • Holy Orders • Reconciliation (or Confession or Penance) • Anointing of the Sick (or Extreme Unction or Last Rites)

31. The Ten Commandments • I am the Lord thy God. Thou shall not have strange gods before me. • Thou shall not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain • Remember thou keep the Sabbath Day. • Honor thy Father and thy Mother • Thou shall not murder. • Thou shall not commit adultery. • Thou shall not steal. • Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor. • Thou shall not covet thy neighbor's wife. • Thou shall not covet thy neighbor's goods. • Exodus 20

32. The Beatitudes • Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. • Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. • Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. • Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. • Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. • Blessed are the pure in hear, for they shall see God. • Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. • Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. • Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:3-12

33. The Lord’s Prayer (Our Father) Our Father, who art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen. • Matthew 6:9-13

34. From Capitalism From God From Homosexuality From Salvation to Capital Punishment to Gambling to Holy Water to Sorcery Topics of the Catechism Virtually every topic covering dealing with faith and morality is covered.

35. Teachings Found in the Catechism • Not in Question/Answer format • Detailed explanations of Church teaching • Two examples: • Did Adam and Eve really eat an apple? • Does the Church oppose capital punishment? from the tree of knowledge of good and evil

36. Did Adam and Eve really from the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil? How to read the account of the fall 390 The account of the fall in Genesis 3 uses figurative language, but affirms a primeval event, a deed that took place at the beginning of the history of man. Revelation gives us the certainty of faith that the whole of human history is marked by the original fault freely committed by our first parents.

37. Does the Catholic Church oppose capital punishment? 2267 Assuming that the guilty party's identity and responsibility have been fully determined, the traditional teaching of the Church does not exclude recourse to the death penalty, if this is the only possible way of effectively defending human lives against the unjust aggressor. If, however, non-lethal means are sufficient to defend and protect people's safety from the aggressor, authority will limit itself to such means, as these are more in keeping with the concrete conditions of the common good and are more in conformity to the dignity of the human person. Today, in fact, as a consequence of the possibilities which the state has for effectively preventing crime, by rendering one who has committed an offense incapable of doing harm - without definitely taking away from him the possibility of redeeming himself - the cases in which the execution of the offender is an absolute necessity "are very rare, if not practically non-existent."

38. In Summary- The Church does not exclude recourse to the death penalty, if this is the only way of effectively defending human lives. Non-lethal means are more in keeping with the dignity of the human person. Today the cases in which the execution of the offender is an absolute necessity "are very rare, if not practically non-existent."