USCCB to publish Compendium of the Catechism

Washington D.C., Sep 1, 2005 / 22:00 pm

The publishing office of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is set to publish the English-language version of the new Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

The 200-page synthesis of the 1992 Catechism, which has been two years in the making, will be published later this year. A commission headed by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, prepared the Compendium.

The Pope presented it at the Vatican in late June. Containing 598 questions and answers, it makes the essentials of the faith accessible to a broad audience.

The Pope expressed the hope that abbreviated text “might favor the assimilation and possible memorization of the contents” and “reopen an ideal dialogue between the teacher and the disciple.”

The Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church originated in 2002 at the International Catechetical Congress, held to mark the 10th anniversary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

A suggestion was made that a more concise version of the Catechism would be helpful for youth. Pope John Paul II accepted the suggestion and appointed the special commission headed by Cardinal Ratzinger.

The Compendium will be available in paperback ($14.95) and hardcover ($24.95). A Spanish version is also expected. It is possible to pre-order copies by calling USCCB Publishing at 800-235-8722.