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The meaning and purpose of Part Two
92. The Christian faith,
through which a person says "Yes" to Jesus Christ, may be analysed
thus:
– as an adherence, which is given under the
influence of grace, to God who reveals himself; in this case the faith consists
in believing the word of God and committing oneself to it (fides qua);
– as the content of Revelation and of the
Gospel message; in this sense, faith is expressed in its endeavour to
understand better the mystery of the word (fides quae).
Both aspects, by their very nature, cannot
be separated. Maturation and growth in the faith require their comprehensive
and coherent development. For methodological purposes, however, they can be
regarded separately. (296)
93. Part Two,
considers the content of the Gospel message (fides quae).
– The first chapter, sets out the norms and
criteria which catechesis must follow so as to find, formulate and present its
contents. Indeed every form of the ministry of the word is ordered to the
presentation of the Gospel message according to its own character.
– The second chapter examines the content of
the faith as it is presented in the Catechism of the Catholic Church,
which is the doctrinal point of reference for all catechesis. It also presents
some observations which may help the assimilation and interiorization of the
Catechism and locate it within the catechetical activity of the Church. In
addition, some criteria are set out to assist particular Churches in compiling
catechisms based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which, while
preserving the unity of the faith, must also take into account diversity of
circumstances and cultures.
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