Catechism for Filipino Catholics (CFC)

346 Pages·1997·2.47 MB·English

by  Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines

CBCP

Catholic Bishops’ Conference
of the Philippines

Catechism
for
Filipino Catholics

New Edition
with expanded Subject Index
and Primer

ECCCE
WORD & LIFE PUBLICATIONS
MANILA
PHILIPPINES

From the beginning of the
Christianization

of the Philippines to the end of
the 20th Century:

Four Centuries of Catechesis in our
Country. One uninterrupted effort to
remain faithful to God, to Man, to the
Church. One continuous endeavor
to make the Catholic Faith relevant
to the culture and the lives
of our Filipino People.
PREFACE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SUBJECT INDEX
GLOSSARY
Vatican City, 6 March 1997

Prot. N. 97000707

Your Excellency,

The Episcopal Conference of the Philippines, at the appropriate time, sent to
this Dicastery the Catechism for Filipino Catholics developed by the same Episcopal
Conference, requesting the approval of the Holy See.

The Congregation for the Clergy, after having examined the text and obtained on
the first day of March, 1997 the positive opinion (Prot. N. 64/94-03884) rendered by the
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, does hereby grant the requested approbation,
according to the requirements of canon 775 § 2.

This Dicastery wishes to congratulate the Bishops of the Philippines for
providing an instrument that is truly suitable for transmitting the faith among Catholic
Filipinos and hopes that the Catechism will have the widest possible circulation.

I take this opportunity to express to Your Excellency and to the entire
Episcopal Conference my sentiments of esteem and with every best wish, I remain,

Sincerely yours in Christ,

His Excellency
Most Reverend OSCAR V. CRUZ, D.D.
President of the CBCP
470 General Luna Street
Intramuros, Manila 1002
P.O. Box 3601 Manila, 1099
PHILIPPINES
Preface

1. This is the official Vatican approved National Catholic Catechism for
the Philippines, entitled Catechism for Filipino Catholics [CFC]. As a
national catechism, one major function of the CFC has been to draw together
two major current sources for our “renewed catechesis.” The first is the
official Catholic teaching of the universal Church as proposed in the
Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], promulgated by the Holy Father
in 1992. The second is the Acts and Decrees of the 2nd Plenary Council of
the Philippines [PCP II], with its supplement, the National Pastoral Plan
[NPP], which together present a comprehensive view of the national culture
and specific catechetical situation of the Philippine Church.

2. This officially approved edition of the CFC is offered by the Catholic
Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines [CBCP] as a major effort in
implementing PCP II’s urgent call for a triple renewal: a renewed
“Catechesis” which in turn will contribute substantially to a renewed
“Worship” and “Social Apostolate.”

Why a New Catechism?

3. The most basic reason for this new Catechism is simply the mission
which the Risen Christ entrusted to His apostles. “Make disciples of all the
nations . . . . Teach them to carry out everything I have commanded you”
(Mt 28:19-20). The practical goal of this Catechism, then, is to provide an
effective instrument for creatively handing on the Catholic Faith to Filipinos.
It thus aims to contribute effectively “Toward a Renewed Integral
Evangelization,” developed in PCP II’s National Pastoral Plan [NPP].

4. The CFC was actually developed according to the NPP’s flow chart. It
was conceived in response to the call for catechetical renewal experienced in
the Church of the Poor. It was formed by following NCDP’s orientational
principles for Philippine catechesis. It presents the operational principles and
content for an integral renewed catechesis. And it envisions the same goal
of a Community of Disciples of the Lord.
5. Actually there are many catechisms in circulation throughout the Philippines
today. In addition, various religion textbook series have been published for different
levels of school religious instruction. Nevertheless, PCP II’s call for a renewed integral
catechesis has intensified the widely-felt need for a new, up-to-date, officially approved,
exposition of the Catholic Faith. We need a catechism that is specifically written for
Filipinos, in our actual, concrete Philippine situation. In many parts of our country there
are no easily available Catholic catechisms. Even where some do exist, they are
frequently out-of-date, or partial, one-sided accounts, or foreign works, not written for
Filipinos. Even the Vatican’s Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], “a sure and
authentic reference text for teaching Catholic doctrine,” needs to be translated into our
Filipino context for a truly inculturated catechesis.

6. Thus there is an urgent demand, first of all, for a catechism that
addresses itself to our Philippine context, with its particular needs,
characteristics and crises. The NCDP places great stress on a truly
inculturated catechesis which responds to the concrete situation and culture
of Filipino Catholics and families today, in terms of our own Filipino culture
and values. At the same time, the local and regional contexts must be seen in
terms of the whole Philippine Church, and its catechetical content constantly
related to the CCC’s authoritative presentation of the universal doctrine,
morals, and worship of the Catholic Faith.

7. The nature and conditions of the Filipino family, and of Filipino value
and belief systems, are undergoing radical changes, amidst our growing
modernization with its economic and political upheavals. This radically
affects the proclamation of Christ’s Good News to today’s Filipino. A
national catechism, therefore, prepared by the CBCP and officially
approved by the proper Vatican Congregations, represents a significant
advance over the many partial, regionally-limited expositions of the Faith.

8. A second demand arises from the situation of wide diversity and pluralism in
the post-Vatican II era. Bible study, liturgical changes, value education, the
thrust for justice — all have shaped this new “climate.” The sheer number of
different groups, often urging conflicting doctrines and actions, has confused
many regarding even the essentials of the Faith. Some have retreated to a
basically fundamentalist position, in fear of losing their Catholic Faith. Others
have been enticed by new prayer or charismatic sects to abandon the Catholic Church
for more “personable,” warmer socio-religious groups. Many others are simply
disturbed, seeking how they should react to these new challenges (cf. PCP II
216-28).
9. In such a situation, shared by Catholics all over the world, this new,
up-to-date Catechism for Filipino Catholics responds to three basic needs.
The first is, that in the face of all the proselytizing and pressure propaganda, Filipino
Catholics look for the reliable Catholic word, especially in family and youth catechesis.
Second, to reject today’s common pursuit of self-centered freedom and ever richer life-
styles, Catholics seek a clear sense of Christian moral values and responsibility.
Today’s morality must be inspired by the Gospel priority of service, especially to the
poor. Third, amidst the anxious search for new prayer forms and novel faith-
experiences, Catholics seek their roots in the Catholic tradition of community worship
(cf. NCDP 54).

Characteristics of This Catechism

10. Given these three basic needs, the mission of the Church to proclaim
Christ’s Gospel calls today for a new type of catechism, adapted to our
times. This new catechism stresses four characteristics.

Focus on the Essentials

11. The first is its focus on the Essentials of the Faith. The Catechism
can not possibly offer a complete, comprehensive account of all aspects and
elements of the Faith. Rather, it aims at presenting the basics of the Church’s
faith in Christ by drawing directly on the Creed, the Commandments, and
the Sacraments, not on any particular theological school or trend.
This Faith is proposed in the CCC. Filipino Catholics professed this
Faith in proclaiming the Creed at Sunday Mass. They live out this Catholic
commitment to Christ by obeying the Commandments in their Christian
moral service. And they celebrate it in Catholic sacramental worship. Thus
they express in daily life the greatest of the Christian virtues __ Faith, Hope,
and Love.

12. These essentials of Faith in Christ must be expressed in an organic and
systematic manner, which is both concentrated yet attractive (cf. PCP II 163;
CCC 5). This involves an integrated approach, which constitutes the first
methodological principle of our catechesis (cf. NCDP 75, 414-25). Catholic Faith is
a living integrated whole both in its objective content – Doctrine, Morals, and
Worship, as well as in every subject, every believer. To respond to Christ’s personal call
to discipleship means to believe, act, and worship with all the energies of one’s
head, will, and heart, in Christ’s own community, the Church.
Experiential/Filipino

13. Second, believing in Christ must be related directly to the daily
Filipino human experience of living as Christ’s disciple. Such human
experience is found on every page of the Bible, in Church teaching, in the
signs of the times. But it is especially the typical personal experience, culture, and
values of today’s Filipino Catholic that must be evident in the Catechism.
This follows the second catechetical principle of stressing experience and
inculturation (cf. NCDP 401-4; 426-33).

Catholic

14. Third, this is to be an explicitly Catholic catechism. This is meant not in any
negative sense of questioning the sincerity or value of other faiths, but
positively in terms of its sources, content and goal. Its sources are Sacred Scripture,
Catholic tradition, especially as presented in The Catechism of the Catholic Church, and
the human experience of Filipinos in their Catholic community. Its content for a
Renewed Integral Evangelization includes the doctrinal truths, moral principles and
values, and liturgical life of that community. Its goal is to build up the Community of
Disciples of the Lord. This constitutes the third basic methodological principle of our
catechetical ministry (cf. NPP; NCDP 434-50).

Practical

15. Fourth, this Catechism is a book to be used, a source to be consulted
in practical questions about the Faith. Thus it consciously works at integrating
Doctrine (orthodoxy) with Catholic Moral conduct and attitudes, as well as with
Catholic Worship (orthopraxis). But beyond illuminating the Faith, this
Catechism aims at inspiring and motivating its readers to actual personal
commitment to Jesus Christ, within our Catholic community. It invites and
challenges the reader to “come and see” (Jn 1:39), and experience the life of
Faith, Love, and Hope to which Jesus calls every one who listens to his
voice (cf. Lk 11:28).

For Whom the Catechism Is Intended

16. The CFC is expressly directed to all who are actively engaged in
communicating or studying the Faith: priests, religious, catechists, religion
teachers—and perhaps most of all, parents. It is an adult catechism in the
sense that it provides a source book for those who address the typical
Sunday Mass congregation of an ordinary Filipino parish. Therefore, this is
not a parish or school religion textbook. It is intended to serve as a
proximate source for parish catechesis, and for creating religion textbooks
suited to the primary, secondary or college levels.

17. This Catechism is addressed primarily to committed Filipino
Catholics, rather than to winning new converts to the Catholic Faith.
Nevertheless, it can be very useful for anyone desiring to know more about
the Catholic Faith. Because of its Scripturally based exposition of the Faith,
and its Creedal structure, the Catechism can foster fruitful ecumenical
dialogue with other Christians. Because of its stress on the living Tradition
of the local Catholic Church, it highlights both the basics of the CCC,
especially the teaching of Vatican II, and the pronouncements of the
Catholic Philippine hierarchy [CBCP].
Thus the Catechism provides Filipino Catholics with a sound
apologetic by giving “the reason for the hope” that Faith instills in them (cf.
1 Pt 3:15). It encourages its readers to “hold fast to the authentic message,
so that [they] will be able both to encourage men to follow sound doctrine
and to refute those who contradict it” (Ti 1:9).

Basic Structure of the Catechism

18. The CFC is structured according to a Trinitarian vision of the Faith
that is at the same time truly Christ-centered. Moreover, the Blessed Virgin
Mary, Mother of our Savior and his perfect disciple, has served as its
inspirational model, just as she has done for countless Filipino Catholics
through the ages. Most important, however, is the need to understand CFC’s
basic structure — both WHAT is its structure, and WHY this structure was
chosen.
Like the Vatican’s CCC, the CFC is based 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 Lord’s
prayer). (cf. CCC 13)
Unlike the CCC, however, which simply arranges the four pillars one
after another [1) Creed, 2) Sacraments, 3) Commandments, and 4) Prayer],
the CFC structures the WHOLE Catechism on the Creed. It inserts
Christian Moral Life (Commandments) following the Creedal section on
Jesus Christ, and combines Prayer with Sacraments immediately after the
Creedal truths on the Holy Spirit and the Church. The CFC’s exposition of
the Lord’s Prayer, then, serves as the Epilogue integrating the whole
Catechism.

19. This arrangement offers two advantages:
• it directly links “keeping the Commandments” with the “following of
Christ,” and
• it integrates Sacraments with Prayer, and both as flowing from the
Holy Spirit in the life of the Church.

Thus this arrangement responds to the NCDP’s call to strengthen moral
catechesis by linking it directly with Catholic doctrine and worship. It also
takes up PCP II’s challenge for a renewed catechesis by pushing beyond
mere “head knowledge” of doctrinal formulas on one side, or pious
devotional ritualism on the other, to foster a truly integrated Faith of loving
Christian service and worship.

20. The CFC, then, is structured in three main Parts, introduced by a
Preface and Foundations, and concluding with an Epilogue that
summarizes the whole Catechism.

Preface
Foundations

1. The Filipino Catholic 3. Our Response: Faith
2. God’s Call: Revelation 4. Our Unbelief

Part I
Christ, Our Truth
(Doctrine)

5. Catholic Doctrine
6. God, Father Almighty
7. Creator of All
8. The Fall from Glory
9. God Promises a Savior
10. Jesus Christ: Mission/Person
11. Christ Has Died
12. Christ Is Risen and Will Come Again

Part II
Christ, Our Way
(Moral Life)

13. Living as Disciples of Christ
14. Following Christ
15. Christian Law
16. Love the Lord Your God
17. Love One Another
18. Respect Life
19. Respect Human Sexuality
20. Building Justice
21. Respecting Truth

Part III
Christ, Our Life
(Worship)

22. The Holy Spirit
23. The Catholic Church
24. Catholic Prayer and Worship
25. Baptism/Confirmation
26. Eucharist
27. Healing Sacraments
28. Vocation Sacraments
29. Resurrection and Life Everlasting

30. Epilogue: The Lord’s Prayer

21. The three parts of Doctrine, Moral Life and Worship thus present the
Trinity — Father, Son and Holy Spirit, while at the same time focussing on
Christ as our Truth, our Way and our Life (cf. Jn 14:16). They call for our
Spirit-inspired response of Faith, Love and Hope, as members of Christ’s
Body, our Catholic community, the Church. Finally, the three Parts respond
to the three most basic human questions: Doctrine answers “What can I
know?”, Moral teaching illumines “What should I do?”, and the
Sacrament/Worship celebrate “What may I hope for?”
Thus the CFC’s structure reproduces in an integrative manner the
Catholic Faith’s threefold objective structure of Doctrine (Creed), Morals
(Commandments) and Worship (Sacraments), and its holistic subjective