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August
7, 2006
VOL.
44, NO. 14Oakland,
CA
Bishops publish new catechism for adults
A new catechism
was released by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops late
last month.
Entitled “The United States Catholic Catechism for Adults,”
it is adapted from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which was promulgated
by Pope John Paul II in 1992. At that time, the pope urged that local
catechisms be developed to better address specific situations in different
countries.
Unlike the Baltimore Catechism with its 421 questions and answers, this
catechism is aimed specifically at adults and does not require rote memorization.
Instead it promotes a command of Catholic faith, prayer life, and moral
through an accessible writing style.
Six years in the making, the catechism includes stories of faith, teachings,
discussion questions, cultural applications, doctrinal statements, meditations
and prayers.
Each of the 36 chapters opens with a story about a saint, a biblical figure
or exemplary Catholics, most of them American, to both invite reflection
and to demonstrate the contribution of American Catholics to U.S. society.
Following each chapter, there are questions that allow readers to explore
personal and communal ways of internalizing the teachings of the Church.
The new U.S. catechism is designed especially for RCIA candidates, young
adult Catholics, those who might have drifted away from practicing their
faith, and those who want to know more about Catholic beliefs and practices.
The United States Catholic Catechism for Adults is 664 pages and is available
for $24.95 from USCCB Publishing. For further information go the web site
at usccbpublishing.org
