Catechism of the Catholic Church

Catechism of the Catholic Church is the first new edition of the catechism in 400 years. Catechism means "instruction" and this text will remain the standard reference for Catholics for many future generations. It is the authoritative summary of Catholic belief regarding the Church creeds, sacraments, commandments and prayers. To get some idea of the level of detail with which the Catechism engages Catholic doctrine, consider that 17 pages of explanation accompany the opening words of the Apostle's Creed ("I Believe in God the Father"). The book is exceptionally well organised, with line-by-line explanations of every conceivable aspect of orthodox Catholic belief. Extensive cross-referencing, indexing and footnotes and "In Brief" summaries of each section further ease the project of finding the precise answers to any questions a reader might have. Even the layout of information on the page is easy on the eyes, with wide margins for readers who wish to make notes. Furthermore, the back cover features a true rarity in the annals of world literature: a blurb by the Pope. --Michael Joseph Gross

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Great Resource - Rated
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.

Invaluable teaching. - Rated
What a brilliant book. It enhances every aspect of Catholic spirituality, and will deepen your faith. Careful reading brings its own rewards. It is life affirming and encouraging. A real blessing.

Everyone should read this - Rated
Profound, thought provoking, challenging ,life affirming... you are not really living unless you have engaged with this book. It addresses almost every area of life and asks all the vital questions. I remain a committed Catholic with many reservations - in particular a frustration at the church's attitude to sexuality and the exclusion of women from the church's hierarchy, but nonetheless this book is an extraordinary philosophical, spiritual and wonderful resource.

The handbook for the Christian life - Rated
This is the simplest and most thorough account of what Christians believe, authored by the Church and for the Church. Take it absolutely seriously: it is academic, it is accessible, and should be top of every theology reading list. The Catholic Catechism has four sections, that deal with what Christians believe, Christian worship, Christian life and finally prayer. The first section covers Christian confession, and therefore runs through the creeds. The second on worship is called the `Celebration of Christian Mystery - the Sacramental economy', covering the church service and sacraments. This account of the seven sacraments still seems a little individualistic and mechanical to me, as though the recovered fuller ecclesiology of Vatican II, in which mechanical understandings were replaced by a stronger pneumatology and thus a greater sense of direct and personal engagement, has not entirely filtered through to Catholic understanding of sacraments.
The third section is entitled `Life in Christ', and `Man's vocation: Life in the Spirit', and sets out Christian moral teaching and ethics, particularly through the Ten Commandments, and sketches out the truly evangelical social and political teaching of the Catholic Church.
Finally the Catechism teaches us how to pray, running through the petitions of the Lord's prayer, and what to pray for. The Catechism references every statement to Scripture, to encyclicals, and to great teachers from every period of the Church, cross-referencing from one section to another.

I recommend the Catechism of the Catholic Church because it is a seriously academic work, and because it has authority. It is not only what Christians believe, and it is not only what the church teaches, but every particle in it has the weight of law. You can quote it as law, and that is really very handy. You say it is not binding on you because you are a Protestant - yes, but a good law is a good law. It is to your advantage too. We should read the Catechism, learn it, quote it, respect and cherish it.

Then you can go on to explore some of the most evangelical (yes, you heard) teaching of the contemporary Church in the encyclicals of Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI (all online at vatican dot va)

Excellent. Especiall insipring for the established Catholic - Rated
This book is a must have reference manual for every Catholic. It provides a clear, well laid out version of Catholic beliefs and acts to provide rationales for the beliefs. For the newer Catholic, you may find this book a little daunting, perhaps purchasing an accompanying more simple book would be helful.

I wish that I had purchased this item whilst I was studying theology at school, and before I was confirmed. In the short space of time I have owned the book it has served several times as a point of reference and clarification. Excellent value for money, well written and include footnotes. The preface from Pope John Paul II was an excellent and inspiring read.