Catechism of the Catholic Church

Never polemical or overly didactic, the Catechism of the Catholic Church succinctly explains the Christian faith with clarity and charity.

Even Protestants and non-Christians will find the Catechism well-documented, with copious notes and citations to Sacred Scripture, the writings of the early Christian Fathers, and other sources of impeccable authority.

Perhaps the most useful aspect of this book is its accessibility. The Catechism was written with the laity in mind. Students, laymen, and the average reader alike will find it easy to read and understand. At the same time, those interested in serious scholarship will discover a treasure trove of theology, history, and doctrine. Without the Catechism of the Catholic Church, no Christian library is complete. Whether you are a cradle Catholic, a convert, or simply have questions about the Church, you owe it to yourself to read this book.


Great Edition   March 13, 2006
Steven R. McEvoy (Canada)
117 out of 120 found this review helpful

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.


Catholics Need This   January 21, 2002
A.Trendl HungarianBookstore.com (Glen Ellyn, IL USA)
86 out of 89 found this review helpful

I grew up Catholic, served as an altar boy, followed the sacraments and thought I was a Catholic.

I received this as a gift from my parents. While thumbing through it, I had no idea what being a Catholic was.

"Catechism of the Catholic Church" -- officially published by the Vatican -- is used by both protestant and Catholic schools to teach what Catholics believe. The top evangelical college in America (Wheaton College) even uses it for their Catholic theology course.

I realized while reading this I had no idea what a Catholic baptism was, what the Catholic Church said about saints, what Rome has to say about Catholics who have converted to another Christian faith. And I learned some things the priest in our Chicagoland parish was not teaching Catholic doctrine.

Whether you are Catholic or not, there is a fair chance you've bought into some of what pop-culture has said Catholic is and is not. This easy-to-read (thick, but well-organized) book will give you the Catholic position on the matter.

I fully recommend "Catechism of the Catholic Church."

Anthony Trendl


THE CATECHISM AND VATICAN II   October 4, 2002
39 out of 41 found this review helpful

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.


Every Christian should own this book!   September 9, 1999
tommypain@aol.com (California)
44 out of 48 found this review helpful

Every Christian -- Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox -- should have a copy of this book.

It is more than just an excellent reference book. It is a history of the Church, a prayer book and a book on spirituality. When reading about any of the hundreds of topics covered, one gets the impression that a synopsis of the Holy Spirit's workings throughout history is being conveyed to the reader. It is very easy, fun and informative reading. And it flows. Intertwined throughout the text are thousands of quotes and references to Scripture, Council documents and popes' encyclicals, letters and speeches. A topic is covered in totality and supported with a tremendous amount of easy-to-understand references. Each circumstance is very well evidenced and footnoted. (For this reason, I would also recommend the "Companion To The Catechism Of The Catholic Church" which has the complete text referenced in the Catechism.) The Index is exhaustive.

A wonderful book for all followers of Jesus to read!

Why not buy a bunch of these books and give them away to all your friends that question their faith or yours? I guarantee they will devour the book and come to see what it is we believe as Christians.