Catechism Update
June, 1996
Ecumenical Efforts and The Catechism
Commitment to Christian unity has become a hallmark to John Paul II's papacy. His fervent work toward full communion is marked by his numerous meetings with leaders of other Christian faiths, his homilies calling Catholics to fully engage the ecumencial spirit of our faith, and his papal statements. Two significant contributions of the Holy Father to the ecumenical movement were released after the publication of Catechism of the Catholic Church: Ut Unum Sint and Orientale Lumen. Any consideration of the ecumenical dimensions of the Catechism should be done in light of these encyclicals and other magisterial documents released since the publication of the Catechism.
The Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms on Ecumenism by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, 1993, reiterates the teaching of the Second Vatican Council:
The Catholic Church solemnly pledged itself to work for Christian unity at the Second Vatican Council. The decree "Unitatis Redintegration' explains how the unity that Christ wishes for his church is brought about through the faithful preaching of the Gospel by the apostles and their successors - the bishops, with Peter's successor at their head - through their administering the sacraments and through their governing with love,'...
In light of this commitment to Christian unity in all facets of episcopal ministry, this Catechism Update offers a brief correlation between Ut Unum Sint and the Catechism and highlights activities and publications concerning the Catechism as a resource in ecumenical efforts as we move into the Third Millennium.
Statements and Activities on the Catechism and Ecumenism
Most Reverend Justin Rigali, Archbishop of St. Louis
In his February 1996 address at the Lutheran Missouri Synod Concordia Seminary faculty-student convocation, said of the Catechism
"Another important element which has been focused on through our common dialogues is the Catechism of the Catholic Church. For Catholics this is a gift to us to deepen our understanding of the Faith. For others it can provide a helpful way to know what we believe and thus enter into more fruitful dialogue. I am most happy to note that your own faculty has made an intensive study of the Catechism.
"One has only to place this Catechism next to the Catechism of the Council of Trent to note the differences in approach as they relate to those advocated by Luther in his catechism. The Trinitarian order will be familiar to those whose faith was formed by Luther's work. The Bible- centered, Christ-centered, grace-centered approaches should not be missed by the evangelically attuned eye. Those dimensions are received in our Church today because they are authentically evangelical. The official dialogues, especially between Lutherans and Catholics, should assist in our use of the Catechism, such as in regard to the sacraments and justification."
The full text of Archbishop Rigali's address can be found in the April 1996 issue of Ecumenical Trends
In the Fall 1994 issue of the National Association of Diocesan Ecumenical Officers' Newsletter, Bro. Jeffrey Gros, FSC, Associate Director, Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, National Conference of Catholic Bishops, highlighted several aspects of the ecumenical dimension of the Catechism. He urged diocesan ecumenical officers and religious education directors to read the Catechism in light of several magisterial documents released after the publication of the Catechism: The Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms on Ecumenism, Ut Unum Sint, Oreintale Lumen. The six points made in this brief article provide a sound starting point for any discussion on the Catechism and ecumenism.
In its 1995 annual seminar in observance of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the Diocese of Cleveland's Interfaith Commission sponsored a presentation and panel discussion on the ecumencial elements of the Catechism. Clergy from various Christian traditions evaluated the Catechism's treatment of ecumenism as well as some doctrinal questions that in the past have been divisive in church history. Fr. Joseph Hilinski, Diocesan Ecumenical Officer, gave a brief presentation on the Catechism, and clergy from the Lutheran, Orthodox, and African Methodist Episcopal traditions responded. The seminar was open to clergy, religious, and laity of the diocese. The seminar concluded with a noon prayer service for Christian Unity lead by Bishop J. Clark Grew II of the Ohio Episcopal Diocese and Bishop Anthony Pilla, Diocese of Cleveland. For more information about the program, contact Fr. Joseph Hilinski, Ecumenical Officer, 218.696.6525.
Articles on Ecumenism and the Catechism
Buckley, James J. "Catechism of the Catholic Church: Ecumenical, Despite Itself." Pro Ecclesia IV (1 1995): 59-67.
Corbon, Jean. "Le Catechisme del 'Englise catholique et ses lectures au Proche-Orient." Proche Orient Chretien 42 (3-4 1992): 289-312.
Garrone, Daniele. "On the new Roman Catechism: An Ecumencial Reflection." Service Internationale de Documentation Judeo-Chretienne 27 (2 1994): 19-20.
Gros, Jeffrey. "Ecumenical Formation: Three New Documents." The Living Light 31 (Winter, 2 1994): 45-53.
Klenicki, Leon. "The Catechism of the Catholic Church: An Interfaith Jewish Reading." Service Internationale de Documentation Judee-Chretienne IT 27 (2 1994): 9-18.
Marthaler, Berard. "Catechism as Confessional Witness." Ecumenical Trends 23 (October 1994): 1+.
McDade, John. "Jewish People in the Catechism." Month 27 (June 1994): 237-239.
McGrath, Alister E. "Do We Still Need a Reformation?" Christianity Today 38 (December 12 1994): 28-33.
McPartlin, Paul. "Catechism and Catholic-Orthox dialogue." One in Christ 30 (3 1994): 229-244.
Neuhaus, Richard. "Protestant Reform and the Universal Church." First Things 51 (March 1995a): 68-70.
Neuhaus, Richard John. "The Catholic Difference." In Evangelicals and Catholics Together: Toward a Common Mission, ed. Charles and Richard John Neuhaus Colson. 175-227. Dallas: Word Publishing, 1995b.
Pannenberg, Wolfhart. "Catechism of the Catholic Church: An Evangelical Viewpoint." Pro Ecclesia IV (1 1995): 49-58.
Recent Workshops on the Catechism
Sr. Eva Maria Lumas, SSS, presented a workshop on "African American Catholics and the Catechism" to religious education directors of the Diocese of Cleveland. The workshop "featured an overview of the Catechism and expaliend how it relates to Africentricity in developing a Black Catholic expression of faith. She offered models to draw on for a faith that is authentically Black and Catholic." Taken from the Ohio Director of Relgious Education Organization Quarterly Report.
Reverend J. Augustine DiNoia, O.P. conducted the June 1996 Domincian Novice Mistresses of Contemplative Monasteries in the United States program "The Role of the Catechism of the Catholic Church in Initial Formation. The program was held at the Dominican House of Studies, Washington, D.C. from June 1 - 15, and it consisted of ten session within the framework of six categories. The first category "The Catechism of the Catholic Church: Basic Perspectives" served as an introduction on the Catechism, concentrating on the structure of the Catechism and its noteworthy features. The other session fell under the following topics: "The Creed: Ultimate Communion and Transformation in Christ," "The Sacramental Grace ofUltimate Communion," "Commandments: Moral Life in Communion and Transformation," "The Our Father: The Human Heart Attuned to God," and the concluding session "The Catechism in Initial Formation."
General Info
Ad Hoc Committee
Cat Update
Q & A
Articles
Editions
Documents