Catechism of the Catholic Church [Hardcover]

Catholic Church (Corporate Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1574551094 | ISBN-13: 978-1574551099 | Publication Date: April 16, 2000 | Edition: 2nd Revised & enlarged

Only available for sale in the United States. The full, complete exposition of Catholic doctrine, this second edition of the international bestseller has been significantly expanded, enhancing both its content and usability. (20000319)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 920 pages
• Publisher: Libreria Editrice Vaticana; 2nd Revised & enlarged edition (April 16, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1574551094
• ISBN-13: 978-1574551099
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 2.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #69,919 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #20 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Catholicism > Inspirational

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

56 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE CATECHISM AND VATICAN II, October 4, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Catechism of the Catholic Church (Hardcover)

The Catechism of the Catholic Church is a deposit of the Catholic faith. It contains all of the doctrines and teachings of the Church with extensive citations to supporting authority. The first universal catechism in over 400 years (the last was the 16th century "Catechism of the Council of Trent"), this Catechism, in the introductory words of Pope John Paul II, is for "every individual ... who wants to know what the Catholic Church believes".

However, for reasons I will explain later, some Catholics strive to steer other Catholics (and non-Catholics) away from the Catechism by claiming it is "against" or "pre" Vatican II. This is an utterly spurious claim, as demonstrated by the following facts:

1. Vatican II explicitly prescribed a new catechesis of the Catholic faithful. Accordingly, in 1985, an extraordinary synod of Catholic bishops mandated a new catechism.

2. The Catechism of the Catholic Church was completed and published in 1992 (First Edition) and 2000 (Second Edition), with extensive citations to: (i) Scripture; (ii) the Councils of the Church during its 2,000 year history; (iii) the writings of the early Church fathers; (iv) the writings of the saints; and (v) other authorities, such as papal encyclicals, etc. Indeed, every doctrine and teaching propounded in the Catechism (and virtually every sentence) is carefully footnoted to supporting authority.

3. The largest source of citations in the Catechism is, naturally, Scripture. That is, the Catechism cites Scripture more times than it cites any other source.

4. However, THE SECOND LARGEST SOURCE OF CITATIONS IN THE CATECHISM IS VATICAN II. That is, besides Scripture, the Catechism cites the 16 documents of Vatican II more times than it cites any other source.

5. For the record, the Catechism cites the 16 documents of Vatican II a total of SEVEN HUNDRED EIGHTY FIVE (785) times. Given that the Catechism (Hardcover Edition) is 688 pages long, there is an average of 1.14 CITATIONS TO VATICAN II ON EVERY PAGE OF THE CATECHISM.

Thus, the Catechism is predominantly based on two sources: (1) Scripture, and (2) Vatican II. So the next time you hear or read that the Catechism is "against" or "pre" Vatican II, you will know that the person asserting that claim knows absolutely nothing about the Catechism or Vatican II, or, worse, does know but is simply trying to keep you away from the actual teachings of the Catholic Church in the Catechism.

Now, why would a Catholic steer other Catholics (and non-Catholics) away from the Church's teachings in the Catechism? Simple. Since Vatican II, certain Catholics have diligently sought to "modernize" (er, subvert) the Church, but have not been able to do so by citing any of the actual 16 documents issued at Vatican II (nothing in the documents supports their agenda). Instead, as "authority" for their subversive agenda they have invoked the "spirit of Vatican II," an amorphous phrase subject to their whimsical interpretation. Indeed, ever notice how they often claim "the spirit of Vatican II requires CHANGE XYZ", but never claim "Document A, page 12, paragraph 4 of Vatican II requires CHANGE XYZ"?

This is where the Catechism of the Catholic Church comes in. Promulgated as a complete and accurate compendium of Catholic doctrine and teaching, the Catechism utterly refutes the claims of all those who for so long have misconstrued and outright misrepresented Vatican II. The Catechism is, in essence, a written corrective to the plethora of heresies advanced by those citing the "spirit of Vatican II". As such, the Catechism is arguably Pope John Paul II's single greatest contribution to the Catholic Church.

Let us be clear. There are many within the Church who grossly misrepresent its teachings and strive diligently to keep Catholics (and non-Catholics) from those teachings. Just check out the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults ("RCIA") at your local parish. Chances are good that your local RCIA program, which is supposed to catechize (i.e., instruct) converts to the Church on the essentials of Catholicism, will not only not use the Catechism, it will not even mention the Catechism and, worse, use materials (such as "Catholic Update") that contravene Church teachings (this is why so many RCIA programs completely fail in their mission of Catholic catechesis).

Fortunately, we have the Catechism and, in it, the actual doctrines and teachings of the Catholic Church. "Straight from the horse's mouth", as they say. Whether you are a Catholic learning or re-learning the faith, or a non-Catholic interested in what the Church teaches, the Catechism is an absolute "must have". And don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars To Know and Love God, January 23, 2002

By 

CAGirl "CAGirl" (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Catechism of the Catholic Church (Hardcover)

"God, infinately perfect and blessed in himself, in a plan of sheer goodness freely created man to make him share in his own blessed life. For this reason, at every time and in every place, God draws close to man. He draws man to seek him, to know him, to love him with all his strength . . ." and so begins the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
The Catechism is a gift to mankind. Through it the faith taught by Christ and handed on to his apostles can be heard echoing through the centuries. It speaks to the mind, but even more so to the heart.
I love the hardback version because it has the Index of Citations listing Scriptures, Councils and Popes that allow you to find those references within the specific numbered paragraphs of the Catechism. The glossary in the new edition is very useful as well. I also recommend the hardback version because you will want to keep this book your whole life, referring to it often and reading it over and over. The quality of this edition lends itself more readily to this kind of use. A paperback copy can be useful as a second copy to keep in the car or office.
Please, if you are Catholic you must own this. If you are not Catholic but are interested in what the Catholic Church teaches, this is where you want to go for the truth of what the Catholic faith teaches and believes.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Authoritative Catholic Synthesis of Scripture and Tradition, April 21, 2002

By 

Mark Lee (Woodruff, UT USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Catechism of the Catholic Church (Hardcover)

This is it. Usually, the Roman Catholic church relies on local or regional definitions of the complete Faith. Every several hundred years, she pulls it together into something universal. We happen to have lived in a time when the world can enjoy a contemporary text that distills and elucidates Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition within the context of the Magesterium (teaching authority of the church via the bishops). Every Roman Catholic should have this book. Everyone else who wonders what Roman Catholicism is about should get a copy. I finally got through my first reading of this Catechism, and am getting the first dark glimpse of the Big Catholic Picture. I'm looking forward to going through it again and again. The cross-referencing to Sacred Scripture, Councils, etc. is phenomenal.