The Washington times., 1938-10-06
AwGiting Approval:
CHANGES MADE.
IN CATECHISM.
FOR CATHOLICS.
Religious Obligations as
Citizens Listed

CltIZenS LlSLeQ
HARTFORD, Conn.,, Oct. 6
N.N.S0.-For the first time, a
new version of the catechism,
which will be distributed shortly
to 100000 American Catholics,
lists the religious obligations of a
Catholic as q citizen, it was re-
Vealed today.
The new catechiSm, which was
circulated privately in Hartford
during the Congress Of the Ameri-
can Catholic Biblical Association,
discusses such obligations Of the
Catholic as a taxpayer, voter.
holder of public office, soldier and
other civic roles.
DUTIES AS CITIZEN
The catechism, which report
edly Is still in a tentative stage,
is the result of suggestions by $50
Of the foremost Catholic theolo-
gians in the country and at the
present time is only in the hands
Of bishops and archbishops, pend
ing final APPROVAL.
According to the new version, a
Catholic should go to the polls
on election day and vote without
selfish purpose" He must not
dodge just taxes" He must be
patriotic and always ready to
defend his country's rights even
with his life" He must take an
''active part in works of good citi-
EenShip."
If he Is an office holder, accord
ing to the new catechiSm, e Cathc-
lie Is bound in pain of sin not to
take bribes and he must promote
"the welfare of all' in carrying
out the duties Of his office.
EARLY ON LIST
The duties of citizenship Of the
Catholic are taken up in the new
version after discussion Of the
fourth commandment: Honor thy
father and thy mother"
The version then continues:
"(Question) 239. What are
the duties of a citizen toward
his country?
"The duties of a citizen toward
his country are to love it, to be
sincerely interested in its wei
fare, and to respect its lawful
authority.
"24O. How does a citizen show
a sincere interest in his coun-
try's welfare2
"A citizen shows a sincere In
terest in his country's welfare
by using his right to vote, hon.
estly and without selfish pur-
pose; by paying just taxes; by
being ready to defend his coun'
try's rights, even with his life,
when necessity demands.
DUTY TO OBEY Law
"241. How do we know that
we must respect and obey the
lawful authority Of our coun-
try?
I'VE know that we must re-
spect and obey the lawful au'
thority Of our country because
God wills it, since civil authority
is necessary for the welfare Of
men living on earth.
"242. Why are we obliged to
take an active part in works of
good citizenship?
we are obliged to take an ac-
tive part in works Of good cit
izenship because many needs
and rights of our neighbOr are
such that unless we all work to.
gether to supply these needs and
to guard these rights we shall
fulfill our duty only imperfectly,
II at all.
"243. What are the chief du-
ties of those who hold public
office.
"The chief duties of those who
hold public office are to be just
to all in the exercise of their
authority and to promote as far
as their office demands, the vel
fare Of all"
MORAL VIRTUES
Listed as moral virtues are
"filial piety and patriotism, which
help us to honor and respect our
parents and our country"
The new catechiSm terms the
accepting of bribes by public Off
cialS" as a violation of the Sew
enth commandment: "Thou shalt
not steal" Lying under oath is
denounced as "the great sin of
perjury"
There are countless changes in
the new catechiSm and these be-
gin with the first lesson. For
merly it was ION the end of man. :"
It now reads: The purpose Of
mans existence"
(SN~~~~~~~~N~~~~~~