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3 The Holy Father, Pope John
Paul II, made the Synods wish his own,
acknowledging that this desire wholly corresponds to a
real need of the universal Church and of the particular
Churches.4 He set in motion everything needed to carry
out the Synod Fathers wish. III. The Aim and Intended Readership of the
Catechism i i 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 Churchs Tradition. Its principal
sources are the Sacred Scriptures, the Fathers of the
Church, the liturgy, and the Churchs Magisterium. It
is intended to serve as a point of reference for the
catechisms or compendia that are composed in the various
countries.5 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. IV. Structure of This Catechism
13 The plan of this catechism is inspired by the
great tradition of catechisms which build catechesis on four
pillars: the baptismal profession of faith (the Creed),
the sacraments of faith, the life of faith (the
Commandments), and the prayer of the believer (the
Lords Prayer). Part One: The Profession of Faith 14 Those who belong to Christ through faith and
Baptism must confess their baptismal faith before
men.6 First therefore the Catechism expounds
revelation, by which God addresses and gives himself to man,
and the faith by which man responds to God (Section One).
The profession of faith summarizes the gifts that Extraordinary Synod of Bishops 1985, 7
December 1985: AAS 78 (1986).
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