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Catechism of the Catholic Church
 Catechism Update
Summer 1998
Diocesan Approval of Catechetical Texts
and Conformity with the Catechism
In the Spring, 1998 issue of Catechism Update we summarized the distinction between official ecclesiastical approval of catechetical materials (Imprimatur and Nihil Obstat) and the Ad Hoc Committee's judgment that a catechetical series or text is in conformity with the Catechism. It is our hope that this was helpful to the bishops in clarifying the important distinction between these two judgments. In this issue of our newsletter, we would like to address yet another distinction, that between the Committee's process of judging the conformity of catechetical series or texts with the Catechism and the process that many diocesan bishops and their educational/ catechetical offices have in place whereby catechetical texts and series are approved for use in the diocese.
First, the distinction is evident in the results of the two processes. The Committee's process ends with a judgment of conformity or nonconformity with the Catechism. Diocesan processes end with official approval or non-approval of catechetical series or texts for use in the diocese.
Second, we would note that the Catechism Committee has no authority over the catechetical decisions an individual bishop makes for his diocese. This authority remains that of the local ordinary.
Third, the conformity review that the Catechism Committee conducts focuses on doctrinal content only. We consider no other dimension of a more comprehensive evaluation, including consideration of rnethodology. It is meant only to assess the content of catechetical materials for the authentic and complete teaching of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The Committee recognizes that individual bishops and their diocesan offices have both the responsibility and authority to oversee a more encompassing review or catechetical texts for use in their schools and parishes. Most diocesan requirements will include methodological and pedagogical considerations as well as particular pastoral needs or catechetical objectives that a diocese may have. Consequently, our conformity reviews are not intended to replace or supersede any diocesan requirements for catechetical texts, but to support them.
Fourth, the Catechism Committee recognizes that, in light of the above, the possibility exists for a text or series to be found in conformity with the Catechism but not approved for use in a particular diocese. Though we ordinarily presume that the reason for this possibility would be based more on pedagogical or methodological considerations, we acknowledge that a diocesan decision to emphasize certain doctrinal issues might also account for different findings.
Fifth, we wish to note that the finding for conformity does not represent approval or endorsement of a text or series by the Catechism Committee or the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. It simply represents a judgment that a text or series conforms to the Catechism.
It is not the Committee's desire to supplant diocesan efforts, responsibility or authority in regard to a more comprehensive review of catechetical texts. On the contrary, we hope to be of assistance to bishops and their staffs through our work of reviewing texts for conformity to the Catechism.
Special Interest
"The Catechism of the Catholic Church and the General Directory for Catechesis are two distinct but complimentary instruments at the service of the Church's catechetical activity." (General Directory for Catechesis, #120) The distinct yet complimentary characteristics of these two documents are highlighted in a special insert within this issue of Catechism Update.
The Congregation for the Clergy's General Directory for Catechesis can be ordered from the United States Catholic Conference at 800-235-8722. Ask for publication no. 5-225.
On the Home Page
In March, 1998, the approved Protocol for Assessing the Conformity of Catechetical Materials with the Catechism of the Catholic Church was sent to all bishops. Since several bishops requested additional copies of the Protocol for their diocesan staff, the Catechism Committee has placed the Protocol, in a reformatted version, on its home page. It should be noted that the posted Protocol does not include the columned boxes used by the Catechism Committee in the actual evaluation of materials. The Protocol can be accessed by clicking the "Documents" link.
Also new under the "Articles" listing are interventions by Archbishop William Levada and Bishop Donald Wuerl given at the Special Assembly for Americas of the Synod of Bishops held in 1997.
The Catechism Committee's home page now lists eleven new quizzes in its "Test Your Knowledge of the Catechism" section. These additions complete the quizzes based upon the teachings of Part One of the Catechism.
Office for the Catechism Staff Changes
As chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee to Oversee the Use of the Catechism, I wish to express gratitude for the tremendous work of Fr. John Pollard and Fr. Thomas DeVries. Both are returning to their respective dioceses this summer after having served the Catechism Committee with commitment and distinction.
After three years as Executive Director of the Office for the Catechism, Fr. Pollard has been appointed Director of the newly formed Department of Education of the Archdiocese of Chicago. As founding director of the Office for the Catechism, Fr. Pollard has created a solid staff structure for the advancement of the objectives of the Committee. He has provided an extremely important service to the bishops of this country.
Fr. DeVries joined the staff of the Office for the Catechism in March, 1996, as Coordinator of Assessment and Research. He has played a vital role in the review of materials as to conformity with the Catechism, in particular by representing the Ad Hoc Committee to publishers of catechetical materials and diocesan staff. Fr. DeVries will return to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee where he will serve as pastor at SS. Peter and Paul in the city of Milwaukee.
The members of the Committee again wish to thank Frs. Pollard and DeVries for their dedication and pray for the continued success of their ministries.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church
& The General Directory for Catechesis:
Complimentary yet Distinct Forms of Catechetical Writing
Catechism of the Catholic Church
Form
"A catechism should faithfully and systematically present the teaching of Sacred Scripture, the living Tradition in the Church and the authentic Magisterium, as well as the spiritual heritage of the Fathers, Doctors, and saints of the Church, to allow for a better knowledge of the Christian mystery and for enlivening the faith of the People of God." (Fidei Depositum, #2)
"This catechism is conceived as an organic presentation of the Catholic faith in its entirety. It should be seen, then, as a unified whole." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #18)
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General Directory for Catechesis
Form
A general catechetical directory provides "the basic principles of pastoral theology taken from the Magisterium of the Church, and in a special way from the Second Vatican Council by which pastoral action in the ministry of the word can be more fittingly directed and governed." (General Catechetical Directory, Foreword)
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Authority
"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 teaching the faith and thus a valid and legitimate instrument for ecclesial communion." (FD, #3)
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Authority
"The General Directory for Catechesis, for its part, carries that authority normally vested by the Holy See in instruments of orientation by approving them and confirming them. It is an official aid for the transmission of the Gospel message and for the whole of catechetical activity." (Dario Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos, Il Direttorio Generale per la Catechesi: motivi e criteri della revisione)
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Purpose
"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." (FD, #3)
"This catechism aims at presenting an organic synthesis of the essential and fundamental contents of Catholic doctrine, as regards both faith and morals in the light of the Second Vatican Council and the whole of the Church's Tradition . . . It is intended to serve as a 'point of reference for the catechisms or compendia that are composed in the various countries.'" (CCC, #11)
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Purpose
"The basic intention of the Directory was (and remains) that of offering reflections and principles, rather than immediate applications or practical directives." (General Directory for Catechesis, #9)
"The immediate end of the Directory is to assist in the composition of catechetical directories and catechisms. Numerous notes and references have been included in this Directory, at the suggestion of many bishops, which may be useful in drawing up such catechetical aids." (GDC, #11)
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Audience
"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 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. 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 and who wants to know what the Catholic Church believes." (FD, #3)
"The Catechism of the Catholic Church is intended primarily for those responsible for catechesis: first of all the bishops, as teachers of the faith and pastors of the Church. It is offered to them as an instrument in fulfilling their responsibility of teaching the People of God. Through the bishops, it is addressed to redactors of catechisms, to priests and to catechists. It will also be useful reading for all other Christian faithful" (CCC, # 12)
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Audience
"The Directory is principally addressed to the Bishops, Episcopal Conferences and, in a general way, in accordance with their competence, to those who have the responsibility for catechesis. Clearly it will be of use in forming those preparing for ordination to the priesthood, in the continuing formation of priests and in the formation of catechists. (GDC, #1 1)
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Structure
"The plan of this catechism is inspired by the great tradition of catechisms which build catechesis on four pillars: the baptismal profession of faith (the Creed), the sacraments of faith, the life of faith (the Commandments), and the prayer of the believer (the Lord's Payer)." (CCC, #13)
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Structure
"In its present form the General Directory for Catechesis seeks to arrive at a balance between two principal requirements: on the one hand the contextualization of catechesis in evangelization as envisaged in Evangelii Nuntiandi; on the other the appropriation of the content of the faith as presented in the Catechism of the Catholic Church." (GDC, #7)
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Application
"The catechism is not intended to replace the local catechisms duly approved by the ecclesiastical authorities, the diocesan Bishops and the Episcopal Conferences, especially if they have been approved by the Apostolic See. It is meant to encourage and assist in the writing of new local catechisms, which take into account various situations and cultures, while carefully preserving the unity of faith and fidelity to Catholic doctrine." (FD,#3)
"By design, this catechism does not set out to provide the adaptation of doctrinal presentations and catechetical methods required by the differences of culture, age, spiritual maturity, and social and ecclesial condition among those to whom it is addressed. Such indispensable adaptations are the responsibility of particular catechisms and, even more, of those who instruct the faithful." (CCC, #24) |
Application
"The concrete application of these principles and pronouncements by means of guidelines, national, regional or diocesan directories, catechisms and other ways deemed suitable for the effective promotion of catechesis is something which pertains to the specific competence of the various Episcopates." (GDC, #9)
"Since the Directory is intended for the use of particular Churches, whose pastoral needs vary greatly, it is obvious that only common or intermediate concerns could be taken into account. This is true also of the sections dealing with the organization of catechesis at different levels. Due note should be made of this observation while using the Directory. As has already been noted in the 1971 Directory, what may appear insufficient in areas where catechesis and catechetical resources have reached a high standard, may perhaps seem excessive in areas where catechesis has not yet undergone such development." (GDC, #12)
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