Customer Reviews
Great Resource - By: Steven R. McEvoy, 01 Jun 2008 
There are many versions of the Catechism of the Catholic Church & even many different editions of each of those versions, so one would beg the question why review a book so readily available & so accessible. That would be a good question to ask. There is the `original edition' the `second edition' & now there is also a `definitive edition' so why would we examine this work?
The answer is that like with Shakespeare, for which there are innumerable editions each reader tends to gravitate towards a specific version or set of editions. In having spent many hours reading these documents over the last few months I can only state categorically that this is the `best packaging' of the Catechism that I have yet to investigate. The larger format makes it easier to work with than many of the smaller pocket version, the wide margins left for personal notes & thoughts is much appreciated. As well this edition is the only one I have found with a glossary & it also has a more extensive index then the other two editions I examined.
Invaluable teaching. - By: Mrs. J. A. Leyland, 24 Apr 2008 What a brilliant book. It enhances every aspect of Catholic spirituality, & will deepen your faith. Careful reading brings its own rewards. It is life affirming & encouraging. A real blessing.
Everyone should read this - By: Raphael, 24 Apr 2007 Profound, thought provoking, challenging ,life affirming... you are not really living unless you have engaged with this book. It addresses almost every area of life & asks all the vital questions. I remain a committed Catholic with many reservations -in particular a frustration at the church's attitude to sexuality & the exclusion of women from the church's hierarchy, but nonetheless this book is an extraordinary philosophical, spiritual & wonderful resource.
The handbook for the Christian life - By: D. H. Knight, 23 May 2006 
This is the simplest & most thorough account of what Christians believe, authored by the Church & for the Church. Take it absolutely seriously: it is academic, it is accessible, & should be top of every theology reading list. The Catholic Catechism has four sections, that deal with what Christians believe, Christian worship, Christian life & finally prayer. The first section covers Christian confession, & therefore runs through the creeds. The second on worship is called the `Celebration of Christian Mystery - the Sacramental economy', covering the church service & sacraments. This account of the seven sacraments still seems a little individualistic & mechanical to me, as though the recovered fuller ecclesiology of Vatican II,in which mechanical understandings were replaced by a stronger pneumatology & thus a greater sense of direct & personal engagement, has not entirely filtered through to Catholic understanding of sacraments.
The third section is entitled `Lifein Christ', & `Man's vocation: Lifein the Spirit', & sets out Christian moral teaching & ethics, particularly through the Ten Commandments, & sketches out the truly evangelical social & political teaching of the Catholic Church.
Finally the Catechism teaches us how to pray, running through the petitions of the Lord's prayer, & what to pray for. The Catechism references every statement to Scripture, to encyclicals, & to great teachers from every period of the Church, cross-referencing from one section to another.
I recommend the Catechism of the Catholic Church because it is a seriously academic work, & because it has authority. It is not only what Christians believe, & it is not only what the church teaches, but every particlein it has the weight of law. You can quote it as law, & that is really very handy. You say it is not binding on you because you are a Protestant - yes, but a good law is a good law. It is to your advantage too. We should read the Catechism, learn it, quote it, respect & cherish it.
Then you can go on to explore some of the most evangelical (yes, you heard) teaching of the contemporary Churchin the encyclicals of Popes John Paul II & Benedict XVI (all online at vatican dot va)
Excellent. Especiall insipring for the established Catholic - By: Mr. O. Keenan, 25 Aug 2004 This book is a must have reference manual for every Catholic. It provides a clear, well laid out version of Catholic beliefs & acts to provide rationales for the beliefs. For the newer Catholic, you may find this book a little daunting, perhaps purchasing an accompanying more simple book would be helful.
I wish that I had purchased this item whilst I was studying theology at school, & before I was confirmed. In the short space of time I have owned the book it has served several times as a point of reference & clarification. Excellent value for money, well written & include footnotes. The preface from Pope John Paul II was an excellent & inspiring read.
