> Date: Fri, 29 Dec 1995 19:14:06
> From: Rick Kephart <rmk@netaxs.com
> To: Father Mateo <mollerus@cin.org
> Subject: CCC
>
> What is the official position of the Catechism of the Catholic Church?
>
> When a catechism comes from a pope or a council, then I think one
> can assume it carries the same weight as a counciliar or papal
> document. But the CCC came from neither. And I've never heard
> exactly what weight it does have. Is it infallible? Is it part of
> the Extraordinary Magisterium? Is it part of the Ordinary
> Magisterium? Is it just a simple reference or guide giving
> summaries of various Catholic teachings? It seems very difficult
> to figure out how much importance it does have, since I've never
> heard a precise statement on its status, and I don't know of any
> other similar document to be able to compare it to.
Dear Rick,
The Catechism of the Catholic Church is the fruit of the express
desire of the 1985 extraordinary Synod of Bishops, which desire
Pope John Paul II made his own. In approving the text and
publication of the Catechism seven years later, the Pope wrote
that it was a service that he himself as Successor of Peter wished
to offer to the holy Catholic Church. The doctrinal value of the
text is declared in part 3 of the Apostolic Constitution FIDEI
DEPOSITUM, which serves as the Introduction to the whole
Catechism. (An apostolic constitution is the most solemn form of
document issued by a pope.)
In part 3 of FIDELI DEPOSIUM the Pope writes:
3. THE DOCTRINAL VALUE OF THE TEXT
" The CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, which I approved
June 25th last and the publication of which I today order by virtue of
my Apostolic Authority, 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 the teaching the faith and thus
a valid and legitimate instrument for ecclesial communion. May it
serve the renewal to which the Holy Spirit ceaselessly calls the
Church of God, the Body of Christ, on her pilgrimage to the
undiminished light of the Kingdom!
The approval and publication of the CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC
CHURCH represent a service which the Successor of Peter wishes to
offer to the Holy Catholic Church. to all the particular Churches
in peace and communion with the Apostolic See: the service, that
is, of supporting and confirming the faith of all the Lord Jesus'
disciples (cf. Lk 22:32), as well as of strengthening the bonds of
unity in the same apostolic faith.
Therefore, I ask all the Church's Pastors and the Christian
faithful to receive this catechism in a spirit of communion and to
use it assiduously in fulfilling their mission of proclaiming the
faith and calling people to the Gospel of life. This catechism is
given to them that it may be a sure and authentic reference text
for teaching catholic doctrine and particularly for preparing
local catechisms. It is also offered to all the faithful who wish
to deepen their knowledge of the unfathomable riches of salvation
(cf. Eph 3:8). It is meant to support ecumenical efforts that are
moved by the holy desire for the unity of all Christians, showing
carefully the content and wondrous harmony of the catholic faith.
The CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, lastly, is offered to
every individual who asks us to give an account of the hope that is in
us (cf. 1 Pet 3:15) and who wants to know what the Catholic Church
believes."
The Catechism is an instrument of the ordinary teaching office of
the Church. Since it provides an overview of all our Church
teaching, parts are infallible, parts are not. All is authentic
Church teaching to which we owe adherence with internal assent
(Lumen Gentium 25; CCC 892).
Sincerely in Christ,
Father Mateo
- Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit -
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