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Introduction • xvii
THE
CATECHISM OF
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
, 1992
Eventually, it became clear that the development of a new universal cate
chism would be beneficial, especially since there had been significant
growth in issues and insights in the Church and in society since 1566. In
1985, a synod of bishops was convened in Rome to celebrate the twen-
tieth anniversary of the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council. Many
of the synod fathers expressed the desire for a universal catechism that
would be a reference book for the catechisms that would be prepared in
various regions. The proposal was accepted, and the outcome was the
Catechism of the Catholic Church
, published in 1992. A new edition,
which contained some modifications, was released in 1997.
This
Catechism of the Catholic Church
is arranged in four parts:
“The Profession of Faith”; “The Celebration of the Christian Mystery”;
“Life in Christ”; and “Christian Prayer.” Its content is faithful to
Apostolic Tradition, Scripture, and the Magisterium. It incorporates
the heritage of the Doctors, Fathers, and saints of the Church. At the
same time, it illuminates, with the light of faith, contemporary situa-
tions, problems, and questions.
The
Catechism
begins with God’s Revelation, to which we are called
to respond in faith, worship, moral witness, and a life of prayer. The
entire text is guided by the fact that Christian life is rooted in the creative
and providential outpouring of the Holy Trinity. The
Catechism
cen-
ters itself on the saving life, teachings, death, and Resurrection of Jesus
Christ, the Son of God and Son of Mary. This text is a work by and of
the Church.
The goal of the
Catechism of the Catholic Church
is to help facili-
tate the lifelong conversion of the whole person to the Father’s call to
holiness and eternal life. At its heart is the celebration of the Christian
mysteries, especially the Eucharist and the life of prayer. Users of the
Catechism
are called to witness Christ, the Church, and God’s Kingdom
of salvation, love, justice, mercy, and peace in the world.
While the
Catechism
is addressed to a number of audiences—bish-
ops, priests, teachers, writers—it is meant for all the faithful who wish