Knowra Catechism of the Catholic Church Catechism of the Catholic Church A compendium of Catholic doctrine, moral teaching, liturgy, and prayer, first published in French in 1992 and issued in its definitive Latin edition in 1997.
Profession of Faith : The first part of the Catechism, which presents the Catholic faith through the Apostles’ Creed. It supplies the doctrinal foundation for the Catechism’s account of Catholic belief.
Second Vatican Council : An ecumenical council of the Catholic Church held from 1962 to 1965 that addressed the Church’s life and engagement with the modern world. The council’s reforms prompted calls for a comprehensive, updated presentation of Catholic teaching.
Catechesis : The instruction and formation of people in Christian faith and life. The Catechism is designed to support catechesis across ages and settings.
Bible : A collection of sacred writings recognized as authoritative scripture by Jewish and Christian communities. The Catechism draws on Scripture but is a later synthesis, not a biblical book.
Celebration of the Christian Mystery : The Catechism’s second part, on liturgy and the seven sacraments. It explains how the faith is celebrated in worship and sacramental life.
John Paul II : Pope of the Catholic Church from 1978 to 2005, born Karol Wojtyła. He commissioned the Catechism in 1985 and promulgated it in 1992.
Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church : A concise question-and-answer summary of the Catechism, published in 2005. It condenses the larger work into a format suited to brief study and instruction.
Catholic Church : The Christian church in communion with the bishop of Rome, with a global membership and diverse rites. The Catechism presents the doctrine and practice of this church.
Life in Christ : The Catechism’s third part, on human dignity, virtue, sin, and moral conduct. It sets out the moral teaching that follows from Catholic belief.
Joseph Ratzinger : German Catholic theologian who served as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and later as Pope Benedict XVI. He led the commission responsible for drafting the Catechism.
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