| Title | : | Catechism of the Catholic Church |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0385479670 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780385479677 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 864 |
| Publication | : | First published January 1, 1992 |
The Catechism draws on the Bible, the Mass, the Sacraments, Church tradition and teaching, and the lives of saints. It comes with a complete index, footnotes and cross-references for a fuller understanding of every subject. Using the tradition of explaining what the Church believes (the Creed), what she celebrates (the Sacraments), what she lives (the Commandments), and what she prays (the Lord's Prayer), the Catechism of the Catholic Church offers challenges for believers and answers for all those interested in learning about the mystery of the Catholic faith. Here is a positive, coherent and contemporary map for our spiritual journey toward transformation.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church is, as Pope John Paul II calls it, "a special gift."
Catechism of the Catholic Church Reviews
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Geez...it actually makes sense. I think I'm a closet Catholic.
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Updated Jan 2, 2019 for incorrect link
December 22, 2017: This was my third full time to read the Catechism all the way through, though I have read many parts of it piecemeal.
This time I read it using an online service which you can subscribe to
here. I highly recommend it as a painless way to read though the CCC in a year. You only receive emails during the week; two days off for week-ends.
Even if you get behind you can catch-up later just by saving the email notifications. They also offer a similar service to learn the Popes in a year. The papal information often verged on the silly to me, but I suppose that was to lighten the serious subject nature. I found it irksome.
The Catechism material is presented in a straightforward manner, no silliness. It is not in lieu of reading the actual Catechism, however. It is just a question and answer about a section of the material. Then you are encouraged to go to the actual text and read more. Effective way to study this important document for all Catholics.
January 2, 2017: The first time I did it on my own with a video series. The second time reading aloud with my husband and now I'm getting an email every day. Just like with the Bible, I am happy when I do read it, though it isn't the first book I would naturally reach for. I wish I could say it was. I am envious of those saints who never wanted to read anything but Holy Scripture, but that isn't me. :( I'm still praying for that grace...
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The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) is probably the most difficult book I’ve ever attempted to review—and also one which matters more to me than all the rest. As such, I can’t write about it like some dry theological tome which the vast majority couldn’t understand and the rest wouldn’t bother with even though they could. Experience with using the CCC has taught me that it’s anything but a dusty religious relic. For years I approached the Catechism tentatively and with trepidation, as though it would be much too difficult for the average Catholic (such as myself) to understand, failing to appreciate as most people do that the average Catholic is precisely who the book is written for and to. It's easy to use, well-organized, fully-indexed, cross-referenced throughout, and footnoted with thousands upon thousands of quotes, especially from Holy Scripture, but also the early Church Fathers and saints.
If you don’t have a copy, it’s available on-line
here and
here. The advantage of the on-line versions are the almost infinite number of links! Catholic geek heaven.
I marked this as ‘read’ but I wish GR had a category for constantly-reading.
EVERYTHING you always wanted to know about the Catholic Church but never bothered to ask.
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December 12, 2013, Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe: FINISHED IT! And much sooner than I expected to. My review is going to take a little while however as I want to go back over my highlights and margin notes before writing anything. So glad I read it!
Thanks Nicola for the quotes! I have highlighted so many good ones in my own copy. Need to go back when I finish and enter (at least some of them!)
Nov 23, 2013 Update: Just starting into 3rd Pillar, 'Life in Christ'- Christian Morality, and discovering it to be even better than first two pillars, so it keeps getting better ... and I already know the 4th part (Prayer) is my favorite.
Oct 26, 2013 Update: Have finished the first 5 Parts in "The Pilgrimage of Faith" study and they are excellent, but the Catechism itself is the real treasure. Didn't realize how much was here nor how much I was missing out on by not reading before now.
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I can still remember the day I was walking in the mall and saw this featured in a Waldenbook display. Why was I so surprised to see a 'catechism' in among the bestsellers? Little did I know then the long arduous process this book had to undergo to make its way to that bookstore. My other thought was, "Vatican II ended in 1965. This is the 1990's. Why has it taken almost thirty years to publish a new catechism?" Why indeed?!
I have always wanted to do a cover-to-cover read, instead of a 'dip my toe into the water' here or there. Now I have this study guide called:
Catechism: A Pilgrimage of Faith which I'm going to use as a study guide while I read. -
For every Catholic and for anyone who has honest questions about Catholicism. "Why the rosary?...Why Mary...Why communion?...etcetera." This book has direct Biblical reference (by Chapter and verse) to every question that could be possible asked of Catholics. A great resource for Apologetic discussions.
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I have never actually read through the entire Catechism. The Catechism is often thought of as the Catholic "rule book" and that is true in a way because a catechism is a summary of Catholic belief. However, it is not couched as we would normally think of a "rule book." The Catechism flows through four big ideas: The Profession of Faith, The Celebration of the Christian Mystery, Life in Christ, and Christian Prayer. There is a good
explanatory article here by Mary DeTurris Poust who wrote The Idiot's Guide to the Catechism, which I also recommend. At any rate, it is worded in a way that definitely promotes deeper thought, prayer, and reflection although I have used it more as a reference than anything else.
I began reading the Catechism from the beginning when Pope Benedict XVI encouraged Catholics to read and reflect upon the Catechism during the year of faith which began Oct. 11, 2012. That was a long time ago and yet I am not discouraged because every time I pick it up I gain a lot.
I've picked it up again along with
A Year With the Catechism which, needless to say, I am not worried about working through in a year.
And now, far in the future from when I wrote the words above, I am on the home stretch. What will I do when I am done? Begin again. This has been a slow but enriching process. -
This book will probably be on my currently reading list forever for two reasons. first because it is an invaluable tool for my formation and maturing in my faith....secondly, I can't figure out how to add shelves..LOL
going to finish it this year in the Year of FAith!! -
Yes, as a baptist I read the Catholic catechism. I wanted to read what the Catholic church said rather than get it from others. There are some portions that are very, very good. The section on the Apostle's Creed, Life in Christ, and the section are prayer.
Of course, there are things that I disagree with, but I can also say that many things I have been told Catholics believe did not come through in their catechism. -
The trouble with reading a book like this one is that it will sabotage all the preconceptions you have so carefully formed over the years about what Catholics really believe. This was an encouraging and often edifying read.
That said, I have many fundamental disagreements with the Roman Catholic church. However, not as many as I thought I possessed!
I would strongly suggest that you read this along with the official documents of Vatican II so that you can see in full the official dogma of Catholicism when the Catechism references the
Sacrosanctum Concilium, the
Dei Verbum, the
Lumen Gentium, or the
Gaudium et Spes.
Another excellent companion resource to the Catechism would be
Peter Kreeft's
Catholic Christianity: A Complete Catechism of Catholic Beliefs Based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
An interesting historical note is how clear the influence of Modernity has been in shaping the Roman Catholic Church as seen in Vatican II and this Catechism.
Pope Pius X would be appalled. :-) -
I listened to an unabridged audiobook which is 20 hours long.
One of my issues with the U.S. Constitution is that it has roughly 7,500 words in the text, but the case law that derives from it takes up boundless volumes.
In Catholic teaching there is a somewhat similar concern. With Jesus Christ being quoted as saying roughly 31,000 words in New Testament. So in essence 31,000 words turned into many tens of thousands of pages of intereptations in all the church teachings over the past 2,000 years. This book at 864 pages helps explain how that came to be. It gives the background of where current church doctrine originated. It's very well referenced.
In particular, Chapter 7 (explaining the sacraments) was eye opening. -
An absolute read for every Catholic and anyone wanting to know what the Catholic Church actually teaches. Don't take your information from television, the newspaper, your neighbour or even another Catholic to start with. If you want the real, honest teaching, look it up here. I've dabbled in the Catechism many times, looking things up and following rabbit trails. However, I read the Catechism from start to finish using a schedule during the entire year of 2013. Brief readings every single day, ending late November. I can't actually review the Catechism; these are just my thoughts. It is a book of teaching (catechism actually means instructions), rules, explanations and a guide on how to live your life the way Jesus asks us to in the Bible and through oral tradition. Any question you may have about Catholic doctrine or Christian living is answered within these pages. Almost the entire book I found enlightening and I'm glad I can say I have read the whole thing. I found many passages that I've heard spoken by Popes, famous Catholic personages, priests etc. that have been accredited to them but really is just them knowing the Church's teaching so well they can almost quote the Catechism verbatim. I'll admit some parts were a little tedious and boring for me, it depends on how in depth on a topic you need to personally go, but by far and large I was captivated by most of the reading. Scripture, the Church Fathers and Doctors of the Church (as well as many other Saints) are quoted extensively, so we are reading a lot of original source material. The section on the Church's teaching of social justice (which denounces both communism and capitalism), is one where we could only wonder at how perfect and peaceful life on earth would be if all mankind could live according to the Body of Christ. I find that having read this all the way through I have become a better Christian, a better Catholic, am able to explain my Faith a bit better and live it much better. I don't think I'll read it front to back anytime soon (though that season may come again at some point) but Ill certainly be pulling it out frequently to see what exactly the Church's teaching is on a subject before I sound off, make a personal decision or try to explain a delicate concept. You can't live your faith without knowing what that faith is, and the Catechism is where you can first go to get the answers. Don't get me wrong, this in know way replaces the Bible. It's purpose is completely different. Don't let its size intimidate you either, as it is not difficult reading at all and can be read topically or randomly. But as a Catholic one should never presume or assume one knows what the Church teaches, find out for yourself; the correct answers are only as far as this book which should be on a shelf in your home or office.
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So what do I think about the Catechism of the Catholic Church?
Might as well ask, 'What do I think about the Bible?'
The CCC can be called the 'Bible' of the Roman Catholic Church. It is divided into four parts:
1) The Creed, which was written at the Council of Jerusalem in 50 AD. Any Christian should know it by heart, "We believe in God ..." But few Christians fully understand what they are professing. Part one reaffirms the intention that has not changed for two thousand years.
2) The Sacraments are what Christians hold sacred: the three sacraments of initiation, the two sacraments of healing, and the two sacraments of service, which are Holy Orders and Matrimony. Catholics and non-Catholics alike should read the service part to better understand the Christian political point of view for the society they serve.
3) The Body of Christ reaffirms the Judaic belief that every human being is created in the image and likeness of God. The US Constitution is based on this ethic and morality.
4) Christian Prayer is the human communication with God. The story of Adam and Eve speaks to an age old need for humanity to be in a personal loving relationship with creation and the Creator.
The CCC is written like a text book, but it should be read like the Bible. Just as one allows the Holy Spirit to speak through Scripture, so should one allow the human heart to lead while reading the CCC. -
This is a wonderful volume. It has been criticized for being dry and overly verbose, and then defended by its encyclopedic nature. But I don't find it to be all that dry, and actually read the entire thing over the course of a year and quite enjoyed doing so. It's a great reference. I have both the small white hardcover edition, which makes for easy reading, and the large green edition, which is unwieldy but has a great index along with other supplements. A must-have for any Catholic home.
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There are more misconceptions or misunderstanding of the teachings of the Church Christ left us to hand on the faith. This book is a gift to anyone wanted to understand what the actual teachings are on almost any topic and what the foundational sources are for those teachings. Great and readable resource for any Catholic or anyone interested in what it is the Church actually teachings and why.
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Essential reading for any Catholic... Helps so many things to click and make sense. A good resource for any Catholic bookshelf. One that you can go back to over and over for any questions that may arise or ongoing faith formation.
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5+ stars.
Not even Catholic, but never have I read a more comprehensive book on the Christian faith. I started it almost a year and a half ago, but from what I remember earlier parts of it were often dense. Push through these bits! It’s worth the effort, and the going does get easier. -
This catechism is not "user-friendly" in any way. I find it very confusing, and as someone else has noted, far too wordy.
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A must read for all Catholics.
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This book is NOT Catholic. It is totally evil; for it purports to be authoritative and definitive about the doctrines of the Catholic Church when the truth is just the opposite. It doesn't deserve even 1 star but there was no lower rating I could give. It is filled with heresy and apostasy which is no surprise because John Paul 2 was not a true pope but a manifest heretic and an apostate antipope. There have been over 40 antipopes in Church history. John 23, Paul 6, John Paul 1, John Paul 2, Benedict 16, and Francis have proven to be heretics over and over and over and over again. The proof is undeniable. Some of the heresies this book teaches are that non-catholics can receive "Communion", that the old covenant is still "valid" and the jews should not be looked upon as rejected by God, which is directly contrary to what was infallibly declared in the Council of Florence confirmed by Pope Eugene IV which states that all those who reject the teachings about Our Lord are rejected by God and the Church.
Pope Eugene IV, Council of Florence, 1441, ex cathedra:
“The Holy Roman Church firmly believes, professes and teaches that the matter pertaining to the law of the Old Testament, the Mosaic law, which are divided into ceremonies, sacred rites, sacrifices, and sacraments… after our Lord’s coming… ceased, and the sacraments of the New Testament began… All, therefore, who after that time (the promulgation of the Gospel) observe circumcision and the Sabbath and the other requirements of the law, the holy Roman Church declares alien to the Christian faith and not in the least fit to participate in eternal salvation.”
The "catechism" of Jp2 teaches that man is "God", and it denies the fact that people are not born "gay". The truth is that homosexuality is unnatural and is a result of sins of impurity, idolatry, and apostasy.
Antipope John Paul II, New Catechism, #2357: “Homosexuality… Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained.”
Romans 1- “Because that, when they knew God, they have not glorified him as God, or given thanks; but became vain in their thoughts, and their foolish heart was darkened... who changed the truth of God into a lie; and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God delivered them up to shameful affections. For their women have changed the natural use into that use which is against nature. And, in like manner, the men also, leaving the natural use of the women, have burned in their lusts one towards another, men with men working that which is filthy, and receiving in themselves the recompense which was due to their error.."
The truth is that people can be cured of any unnatural vice if they convert to the Traditional Catholic faith, pray the 15 decade Rosary every day, and make a good confession of all their mortal sins.
See this file for more information of this truth that people are not born "gay".
http://www.mostholyfamilymonastery.co...
It is a truly charitable thing to tell people who claim to be "gay" the truth that will set them free. What is not charitable is to confirm them in their sin and encourage them in a lie that will ultimately lead to their eternal ruin.
Most Holy Family Monastery has actually produced videos exposing JP2 for what he really is: an antipope and the antichrist predicted in the book of the Apocalypse/Revelation. For the Proof see these videos: The Antichrist Revealed: The Beast that Was, and Is Not, Has Returned-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPs7j...
"Saint" John Paul II Exposed-(
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODV1S...)
“St.” John Paul II’s Heresies- (
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAQ27...)
The truth is that there has not been a true pope reigning in Rome since the death of Pope Pius XII who died in 1958. The fact that the city of Rome would lose the Catholic faith at the end of the world and leave the Catholic Church through apostasy is prophesied in the book of Apocalypse/Rev., by the Blessed Virgin Mary, and by past true Popes.
Our Lady of La Salette—a Church approved apparition—said, “Rome will lose the faith and become the seat of the anti-christ, the Church will be in Eclipse.”
Pope Leo XIII, Satis Cognitum (#15), June 29, 1896: “… it is absurd to imagine that he who is outside the Church can command in the Church.”
We are now living through the great apostasy that was predicted to take place in the last days. Christ says that “But yet the Son of man, when he cometh, shall he find, think you, faith on earth?” –Luke 18:8. He also says, “For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders, insomuch as to deceive (if possible) even the elect.”-Matthew 24:24. What a person must understand is that the Catholic Church cannot defect. It cannot teach error to souls for it is the Immaculate Bride of Christ always faithful to His Doctrine until the end of time. The Catholic Church is the one true Church of Jesus Christ and He founded it upon St. Peter. The Whore of Babylon is NOT the Catholic Church. The Whore of Babylon is in actuality the counterfeit-“Catholic Church” that takes over the Vatican in last days. The Whore is a false sect where a false “hierarchy” dress exteriorly like the Catholic Church, but inwardly is fraudulent, headed by antipopes, and devoid of the Apostolic faith. The mission of these antipopes is clear, it is to try and destroy the Catholic faith—which is impossible—to try and deceive people claiming to be Catholics into accepting the false religion these antipopes promote. The whore of Babylon seeks to be in communion with every false religion of the devil. She spews heresy and apostasy daily and loves to spread religious indifferentism, satanic syncretism, that man is “God”, that people can be saved in false religions, etc. Those wicked false doctrines are solemnly condemned by the true Popes as heresy and apostasy that places anyone who accepts those heresies obstinately as outside the Catholic Church.
Pope Eugene IV, Council of Florence, “Cantate Domino,” 1441, ex cathedra: “The Holy Roman Church firmly believes, professes and preaches that all those who are outside the Catholic Church, not only pagans but also Jews or heretics and schismatics, cannot share in eternal life and will go into the everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels, unless they are joined to the Church before the end of their lives; that the unity of this ecclesiastical body is of such importance that only those who abide in it do the Church’s sacraments contribute to salvation and do fasts, almsgiving and other works of piety and practices of the Christian militia produce eternal rewards; and that nobody can be saved, no matter how much he has given away in alms and even if he has shed blood in the name of Christ, unless he has persevered in the bosom and unity of the Catholic Church.”
Eugene IV, Council of Florence, Sess.8, Nov.22, 1439, ex cathedra: “Whoever wishes to be saved, needs above all to hold the Catholic faith; unless each one preserves this whole and inviolate, he will without a doubt perish in eternity.”
Pope Leo XIII, Satis Cognitum (# 9), June 29, 1896: "The practice of the Church has always been the same, as is shown by the unanimous teaching of the Fathers, who were wont to hold as outside Catholic communion, and alien to the Church, whoever would recede in the least degree from any point of doctrine proposed by her authoritative Magisterium."
Pope Innocent III, Eius exemplo, Dec. 18, 1208: "By the heart we believe and by the mouth we confess the one Church, not of heretics, but the Holy Roman, Catholic, and Apostolic Church outside of which we believe that no one is saved."
It is imperative that people convert to the Traditional Catholic faith if they do not want to be damned. I say this in true charity. The information on how to convert to the Traditional Catholic faith can be found on the website
www.vaticancatholic.com -
I have never actually read through the entire Catechism. The Catechism is often thought of as the Catholic "rule book" and that is true in a way because a catechism is a summary of Catholic belief. However, it is not couched as we would normally think of a "rule book." The Catechism flows through four big ideas: The Profession of Faith, The Celebration of the Christian Mystery, Life in Christ, and Christian Prayer. There is a good explanatory article here by Mary DeTurris Poust who wrote The Idiot's Guide to the Catechism, which I also recommend. At any rate, it is worded in a way that definitely promotes deeper thought, prayer, and reflection although I have used it more as a reference than anything else.
I began reading the Catechism from the beginning when Pope Benedict XVI encouraged Catholics to read and reflect upon the Catechism during the year of faith which began Oct. 11, 2012. That was a long time ago and yet I am not discouraged because every time I pick it up I gain a lot.
I've picked it up again along with A Year With the Catechism which, needless to say, I am not worried about working through in a year.
And now, far in the future from when I wrote the words above, I am on the home stretch. What will I do when I am done? Begin again. This has been a slow but enriching process. -
I think I have to give it a 5 star because I'm Catholic and I'd have to go to confession if I didn't.
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I hardly know where to start. Parts of this book have the potential for much good in the world. the actual Church that comes out of this document, or from which this document comes, depending on your point of view, is so morally bankrupt that one imagines they have had no exposure to the message of Jesus. Much of Christianity falls out based on the writings of Paul, the most successful, long term productive spy of all time. Sent as a Roman spy to destroy the church of Christ from within, he kind of steals leadership out from under the folks who Knew Jesus, declaring, and then making himself, and his words more import, historically, than those of any other biblical writer almost completely excluding Jesus' words.
The organization of the book makes it nearly impossible to follow a thought inside one chapter, much less connect it to another chapter. And written by men with their heads so deeply into their own importance that you can't believe much they say. never noting that all the religious groups based on Christianity lock onto Paul with all their fangs and claws, ignoring the quiet voice of Jesus to "love one another", to practice what Jesus preaches. Somehow I doubt that Jesus had in mind an annual washing of the feet of the largest donors to the parish annually when he said "As I have done, so you must do," to the disciples, having washed their feet.
So much is wrong about the way Catholicism actually functions. In no place have I found anything that addresses the fact that they are taking up special collections to bail out men whose lives are strictured into such an emotionally crippled state that they are turning to raping children to make sure they don't lean toward that most evil of sexual practices, intercourse (dare we say making love) with a woman. There is so much done badly in a big way that the bits of real goodness are driven away: The good people, the good priests, the good sisters, the good altar servers (the potential for evil befalling an altar server is too great to figure out in numbers. It's figured in millions of dollars.)
I have to stop now, this is too much evil to look at for very long, and I daresay the confused ramblings of this review are at least a match for the confused ramblings of the assorted people who built this book. It makes me crazy, so much evil masquerading as so much good, being filthy rich and bemoaning the fate of the poor. Sell a few rings and feed a small nation, Pope Ben!
Or better still, Sell a few rings and make a small nation self sufficient. And don't insist they become Catholic or die as the trade-off! -
What inspired me to read this book was another book. C.S. Lewis' Screwtape Letters. The book opened my eyes to just how easily one can be led astray, no matter how Christian we believe ourselves to be. All of us slip, it's what we do, and the majority of us don't catch ourselves at it.
I started reading this, because I truly want to answer these questions: What does it mean to be Catholic? If you do not follow the Vatican, are you still Catholic, even if you do live by the Apostle's Creed and the 10 Commandments?
It's funny how there are so many versions of the Catechism of the Catholic Church when I did a search on GRds. There's one by the Vatican, and then there's another one by the U.S. Catholic Church...why are there 2 separate versions for the same faith? Why is there a version exclusively for the US? Unless I'm mistaken, American English is, on paper, exactly the same as British English.
Or is the U.S. Catholic Church different in some way from the other Catholic churches around the world? This would directly contradict the word Catholic, which means universal. Perhaps the U.S. Catholic Church is following their own rules, and maybe this is the reason why many American Catholics have grown to reject the faith?
(minutes later)
I've looked online, and apparently, the American Catholic Church s a small Independent Catholic denomination originating from the Old Catholic Christian denomination. The ACCUS holds similar theological beliefs and practices to the Roman Catholic Church. However, like Orthodox churches, it is not in communion with the Roman Catholic Church or under Papal jurisdiction.
So I was right! It is different from the Old Catholic church, and they ARE following their own rules.
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The real review will be written after I finish, perhaps some time next year. -
Want to know what Catholics believe? Read the Catechism.
And if you have any trouble understanding anything stated, simply look up and read the references. -
For "The Year of Faith", Sarah and I read 7 paragraphs per day. What a treasure this book is! Yet another important legacy left by our beloved JP2.
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Para Teología. Final: 4
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I got this edition in order to (a) replace my falling-apart paperback, which has one page literally just tucked back in, and (b) follow along with the Catechism in a Year podcast. I hope it sticks this time!
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11/10!!!!
“The desire for God is written in the human heart, because man is created by God and for God; and God never ceases to draw man to himself. Only in God will he find the truth and happiness he never stops searching for” CCC 27 -
Started this as spiritual reading thanks to a recommendation from the
Happy Catholic. The early part makes me want to read the bible more, for as St. Jerome says, "He who is ignorant of Scriptures is ignorant of Christ."
UPDATE
Finally finished it. It is not the best book to read straight through. It is well organized but a little dry. Not completely dry, though. Many quotes from saints writings (including biographies like Augustine's Confession and St. Teresa's Story of a Soul) are used to illustrate or illuminate what's presented. Such quotes gave me a reassuring sense of history and humanity. The sheer number of sources is impressive as is the historical breadth of them. No century of the past 20 seems neglected or overemphasized. The unity of faith throughout the ages is awe inspiring.
That being said, as a comprehensive presentation of the doctrines and life of the Catholic Church, it is necessary to be brief and to the point. The Catechism is a great resource thanks to the thorough indexing and cross referencing. If you have a question or are interested in a specific topic, it is easy to find the information you want. The book is written with paragraph numbers, so citations refer to those numbers rather than page numbers.
To give you a taste, here's the section entitled "Wounds to Unity" (paragraphs 817-819) about the splintering of Christian churches:817 In fact, "in this one and only Church of God from its very beginnings there arose certain rifts, which the Apostle strongly censures as damnable. But in subsequent centuries much more serious dissensions appeared and large communities became separated from full communion with the Catholic Church - for which, often enough, men of both sides were to blame."269 The ruptures that wound the unity of Christ's Body - here we must distinguish heresy, apostasy, and schism270 - do not occur without human sin:
Where there are sins, there are also divisions, schisms, heresies, and disputes. Where there is virtue, however, there also are harmony and unity, from which arise the one heart and one soul of all believers.271
818 "However, one cannot charge with the sin of the separation those who at present are born into these communities [that resulted from such separation] and in them are brought up in the faith of Christ, and the Catholic Church accepts them with respect and affection as brothers .... All who have been justified by faith in Baptism are incorporated into Christ; they therefore have a right to be called Christians, and with good reason are accepted as brothers in the Lord by the children of the Catholic Church."272
819 "Furthermore, many elements of sanctification and of truth"273 are found outside the visible confines of the Catholic Church: "the written Word of God; the life of grace; faith, hope, and charity, with the other interior gifts of the Holy Spirit, as well as visible elements."274 Christ's Spirit uses these Churches and ecclesial communities as means of salvation, whose power derives from the fullness of grace and truth that Christ has entrusted to the Catholic Church. All these blessings come from Christ and lead to him,275 and are in themselves calls to "Catholic unity." -
i learned about the basic structure of the catholic church, how they understand god, jesus, mary, the sacraments, and really the entire mission of salvation; from an insider point of view, I take solace in the sound writing of the catechism as the church faces so much ridicule; it clarified the purpose, mission, and organization of the church for me; it did nothing to help reconcile the conflict of defining the crux of my existence through one of the church's mortal sins, HOWEVER, it was informative. and yes, i read the whole thing. amen.
