Evening star., 1941-06-29
Revised Catechism
Published in First
Change for 50 Years
Catholic Text Book
Adopted After 6 Years
Of Study and Revision
b the Associated Press.

NEW YORK, June 28-Radically
changed in terminology. sequence
2 and textual matter, "A Catechism
Tof Christian Doctrine" was published
today-the first revision in so years
of the Baltimore penny catechism
from which millions of Catholics
have learned the fundamental
dogmas of theif faith.
The masses of Catholic Americans
who recited questions and answers
from the old catechism will find in
the new volume a few of the familiar
questions gone and most of the
answers simplified to point where
logic rather than sheer memory
should prevail
The episcopal committee of the
Confraternity of Christian Doctrine,
which only recently completed
modernized revision of the New
Testament, directed work on the new
catechiSm.
Six Years Used for Revision.
Leading figures in the American
hierarchy authorized the sixth
printing to be sent to the Sacred
q CONGREGATION of the Council and the
Holy See in Rome, after more than
100 theologians, all American
bishops. hundreds of teachers and
many outstanding scholars had
labored six years on the revision.
After l8 months study, the agency
of the. Holy See returned it with
suggestions and corrections.
Even the Act of Contrition," an
essential of the Sacrament of Pen
ance and of spiritual salvation, has
been revised. The old version was:
"Oh. my God! I am heartily sorry
for having offended Thee and I de-
test all my sins because l dread the
loss of heaven and the pains of hell,
bat most of all because they offend
Thee. my God, Who art al-good
and deserving of all my love. I
firmly resolve. with the help of Thy
Grace, to confess my sins, to do pen
anCe and to amend my life
The new prayer is: "Oh, my God,
I am heartily sorry for having Of
Tended Thee. and I detest all my
sins. because of Thy just punish
ments. but most of all because they
offend Thee, my God. who art all
good and deserving of all my love.
! firmly resolve, with the help OF
Thy grace, to sin no more and to
avoid the near occasions of sin"
Many Questions Changed.
The first question has been
changed from Who made the
world?" to Who made us?" and the
answer to the second question: Who
Is Cod has been changed from
God is the creator of heaven and
earth and of all things to God is
the Supreme Being, infinitely per-
feet. who made all things and keeps
them in existence"
Why did God make us?' the old
catechism said. God made me to
know Him, to love Him. and to
serve Him in this world and to be
happy with Him forever in the
next" The new one says, God
made us to show forth His good
ness and to share with us His ever
lasting happiness in heaven"
Many of the questions now begin
with What do we mean when we
say that = ?" and the answers
carry explanatory matter not en-
braced in basic dogmatic responses.
In the old catechiSm, angels were
''pure spirits without body, Gre
ated to adore and enjoy God in
heaven" In the revision, angels
are created spirits, without bodies,
having understanding and free will;
and angelic influences. good and
bad, upon man are defined in de-
tail.
Moral Virtues Discussed.
In keeping with a general effort
to present positively rather than
negatively the dogmas Of the church,
the new catechism discusses at some
length moral virtues Of prudence,
justice. fortitude, temperance, piety,
patriotism. obedience, veracity, llber-
ality (Which disposes us rightly to
use worldly goods, patience, humil-
ity and chastity.
Emphasized in the new volume
are the two great commandments
that contain the whole law of God:
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God
with thy whole heart, and with thy
whole soul, and with thy whole
mind. and with thy whole strength;
and thou shalt love thy neighbor as
thyself."
Many phases of the command
ments, heretofore touched upon
lightly if at all, are discussed in the
new catechism; and for the most
part they reflect the social prob
lens inspired by recent international
and national history.
Commandments Expanded.
Under the Fourth Commandment
(Honor thy father and thy mother,
for instance, "A citizen must love his
country, be sincerely interested in its
welfare, and respect and obey its
lawful authority by voting
honestly and without selfish mo-
tives, by paying just taxes and by