bach90
Evangelical Catholic
I'm not contesting the substance of your post, but there is one pet peeve I have that I'd like to bring up. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is only slightly above scrap paper when it comes to being the official, final word on anything. The Catechism is only a teaching tool, nothing more: "It is meant to encourage and assist in the writing of new local catechism, which take into account various situations and cultures, while carefully preserving the unity of faith and fidelity to catholic doctrine" (John Paul II, Apostolic Constitution Fidei Depositum, 3).
That's not to say don't use The Catechism, but the authority of a phrase in The Catechism comes from the inter-text. The section on heresy, for example, is a quotation of the definition of heresy which is given in Canon 751 in the Code of Canon Law. The Code trumps The Catechism; consequently, it is better - if you are intending to give the Catholic Church's definition on the definition of heresy - to quote the section you did, but attribute it to Canon 751.
The catechism is an invaluable teaching tool. It's not meant to go into deep seminary-level theology.
I quote the Catechism because I rarely find 2 Roman Catholics that agree on the same thing down the line. I don't discuss people's personal opinions of their faith tradition (whether RC, EO, etc.), but what their Church teaches.
As far as the CCC, JP II was rather insistent that it was authoritative. So I go with the CCC as saying what the RCC teaches.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church, which I approved 25 June last and the publication of which I today order by virtue of my Apostolic Authority, is a statement of the Church's faith and of Catholic doctrine, attested to or illumined by Sacred Scripture, Apostolic Tradition and the Church's Magisterium. I declare it to be a valid and legitimate instrument for ecclesial communion and a sure norm for teaching the faith. May it serve the renewal to which the Holy Spirit ceaselessly calls the Church of God, the Body of Christ, on her pilgrimage to the undiminished light of the kingdom! - Fidei Depositum V
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