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VI. Necessary Adaptations
23 The Catechism emphasizes the exposition of doctrine.
It seeks to help deepen understanding of faith. In this way
it is oriented towards the maturing of that faith, its
putting down roots in personal life, and its shining forth
in personal conduct.7 24 By
design, this Catechism does not set out to provide the
adaptation of doctrinal presentations and catechetical
methods required by the differences of culture, age,
spiritual maturity, and social and ecclesial condition among
all those to whom it is addressed. Such indispensable
adaptations are the responsibility of particular catechisms
and, even more, of those who instruct the faithful:
Whoever teaches must become all things to all
men (~ Cor 9:22), to win everyone to Christ...
Above all, teachers must not imagine that a single
kind of soul has been entrusted to them, and that
consequently it is lawful to teach and form equally all
the faithful in true piety with one and the same method! Let
them realize that some are in Christ as newborn babes,
others as adolescents, and still others as adults in full
command of their powers.... Those who are called to the
ministry of preaching must suit their words to the maturity
and understanding of their hearers, as they hand on the
teaching of the mysteries of faith and the rules of moral
conduct. ~ Above all Charity
25 To conclude this Prologue, it is fitting to recall
this pastoral principle stated by the Roman Catechism:
The whole concern of doctrine and its teaching must
be directed to the love that never
ends. Whether something is proposed for belief, for hope or
for action, the love of our Lord must always be made
accessible, so that anyone can see that all the works of
perfect Christian virtue spring from love and have no other
objective than to arrive at love.9 |
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