From Trish Elser: The Baltimore Catechism we saw was written for children. It struck me as simply listing "facts" that you are expected to accept and memorize. Our old copy has copyrights for 1941, 1949 and 1953.
In 1985 a request was submitted to Pope John Paul II by the Extraordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops that a catechism be composed. Begun in 1986, a Latin edition was published in 1997, over 30 years after the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council.
This catechism is far more comprehensive than the Baltimore catechism, about 1/4th the size
of the Bible. It shows the thinking behind what is written, and further. It's organized: Part 1: What We Believe, Part 2: How We Worship, Part 3: How We Live, Part 4: How We Pray.
Trish's comment spurred me to look a little further. Those who remember the slender purple booklet (for the early grades), or thicker green book (for higher grades), might find its history interesting. Originating in the 19th century it was widely used through the 1960s, although always criticized.
I am pondering the connection between healthcare, bioethics and suffering. Medicine understandably focuses on negating pain. But healthcare also tidies away people into long term care facilities which focus also on protecting the rest of us from being present in another's suffering. What is God's place in all of this? That is a question for theodicy. As an atheist I am excused from that debate.
From Trish Elser: The Baltimore Catechism we saw was written for children. It struck me as simply listing "facts" that you are expected to accept and memorize. Our old copy has copyrights for 1941, 1949 and 1953.
In 1985 a request was submitted to Pope John Paul II by the Extraordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops that a catechism be composed. Begun in 1986, a Latin edition was published in 1997, over 30 years after the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council.
This catechism is far more comprehensive than the Baltimore catechism, about 1/4th the size
of the Bible. It shows the thinking behind what is written, and further. It's organized: Part 1: What We Believe, Part 2: How We Worship, Part 3: How We Live, Part 4: How We Pray.
Trish's comment spurred me to look a little further. Those who remember the slender purple booklet (for the early grades), or thicker green book (for higher grades), might find its history interesting. Originating in the 19th century it was widely used through the 1960s, although always criticized.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltimore_Catechism
I am pondering the connection between healthcare, bioethics and suffering. Medicine understandably focuses on negating pain. But healthcare also tidies away people into long term care facilities which focus also on protecting the rest of us from being present in another's suffering. What is God's place in all of this? That is a question for theodicy. As an atheist I am excused from that debate.
As an agnostic, I also consider myself excused. But isn't it interesting that we're both still interested?
Your point about long-term care facilities and our ability to be present to suffering is acute.