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August/September 2006
First
Look:
A
Catechism
for the
United
States
"Now Available! Six years in the making! A must for every
bookshelf!"
The
Catechism of
the Catholic Church
called upon dioceses
of the world to develop "particular catechisms" for local
cultures (See CCC no. 24). The
United
States
Catholic
Catechism
for Adults
(Let's call it "USCCA")
does just that, providing stories, cultural issues and
examples that are familiar ground for Americans. The authors
remind us that the USCCA is an adaptation of the
Catechism of
the Catholic Church.
As a minor
catechism, it
is not intended to take the place of the
Catechism,
but to
complement it, to help the learner apply the universal
teachings of the
Catechism
to life
in the
United
States.
I am enthusiastic
about the new
United
States
Catholic
Catechism
for Adults.
It provides another,
substantial tool for helping us teach the faith. Here are
some of the things I really like about the text:
1. Language
The USCCA uses
horizontally inclusive language, describing human beings
according to both male and female genders. This reads much
more like "American English"; it flows more naturally with
the way I am accustomed to speaking. At the same time, the
USCCA retains traditional male imagery when referring to
God, and changes none of the original language when quoting
the
Catechism.
The document strikes a very nice balance here.
The
USCCA
also departs from
the
Catechism's
more formal,
encyclopedic format, with prose that feels more like
conversational English. While there may be some precision
lost in not numbering each paragraph, the chapters flow more
freely, and are engaging to read.
2. Stories of Faith
Each chapter starts with a story about a person who
exemplifies the teaching of that section. Many of these are
Catholics from the
United
States
or North America. These stories add flesh and bone to the
doctrine which is to follow. They also remind the reader
that the life of faith is Our Story, lived by real people.
The reader will find well known figures, like St. Elizabeth
Ann Seton and Dorothy Day, but I also enjoyed learning more
about Fr. Isaac Hecker, Rose Hawthorn Lathrop, Pierre
Toussaint, and other heroic Catholics.
3. Connections with Our Culture
Every chapter probes the relationship of Catholic teaching
to our culture. The authors set teachings about what we
believe, how we worship, live and pray alongside American
secular and religious experience. To its exposition of
teaching from the
Catechism,
the USCCA adds relevant statements from the
U.S. Bishops as well. The authors tell us that the purpose
here is to "point to the way in which the Church proclaims
salvation to the culture," affirming that which is positive,
and raising a challenge to that which is negative.*
4. Sidebars, Questions, Meditations and More
Discussion questions
challenge the reader to rethink the way he/she is living out
their commitment to faith. Meditations and prayers engage
not just the mind, but the spirit as well. "From the
Catechism"
sidebars provide questions and answers, and encourage the
reader to go back to the
Catechism
of the Catholic Church
for further study.
Learners will likely make regular use of the USCCA's
glossary and detailed index, to find answers to impromptu
questions about the Catholic faith.
A Reliable
Resource
The
United
States
Catholic
Catechism
for Adults
will be an
invaluable resource for anyone who wants to draw Catholics
closer to the heart of what we believe. It is very
worthwhile to have a book which so clearly presents the
faith of the Universal Church to Catholics of the
United
States. |
