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About the CCC - Tommy - 09-01-2026
About the Catechism of the Catholic Church
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC -- released in 1992) is an official Catechism that summarizes the core beliefs, rules, and practices of the Catholic faith.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (Latin: Catechismus Catholicae Ecclesiae) is a reference work that summarizes the Catholic Church's doctrine. It was promulgated by Pope John Paul II on October 11, 1992 as a reference for the development of local catechisms, directed primarily to those (in the Church) responsible for catechesis and offered as "useful reading for all other Christian faithful".
It has been translated into and published in more than twenty languages worldwide.
The CCC is organized into four main sections, often called pillars.
1. The Profession of Faith (The Creed):
- Explains what Catholics believe about God.
- Uses the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed as a guide.
- Covers God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the Catholic Church.
2. The Celebration of the Christian Mystery (The Sacraments):
- Explains how Catholics worship God through the liturgy.
- Focuses heavily on the seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance (Confession), Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony.
3. Life in Christ (Morality):
- Explains how Catholics should live and make moral choices.
- Uses the Ten Commandments to teach about love for God and neighbors.
- Covers topics like human rights, sin, grace, and the rules of the community.
4. Christian Prayer:
- Explains the role of prayer in a believer's life.
- Teaches how to pray using the Lord's Prayer (the Our Father) as the model.
- Describes different types of prayer, such as blessing, petition, intercession, and thanksgiving.
The Catechism states:
Quote:11 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. Its principal sources are the Sacred Scriptures, the Fathers of the Church, the liturgy, and the Church's Magisterium. It is intended to serve "as a point of reference for the catechisms or compendia that are composed in the various countries".
12 This work 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.
Sources and Background of the CCC:
- Grounds its teachings in the Bible, early church writings, and papal documents.
- Contains thousands of footnotes pointing to scripture and tradition.