New catechism intended as ‘call to renewal of faith’

The Irish Catholic Catechism for Adults was launched by Cardinal Seán Brady at Maynooth yesterday. Designed to complement the Catechism of the Catholic Church, it is the first local catechism for Ireland and an adaptation of the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults.

Each chapter opens with a "story or lesson of faith" featuring a number of notable Irish figures such as Edmund Rice, Catherine McAuley and Nano Nagle. Those chosen are people whose lives or actions illustrate a particular church teaching.

Published by Veritas, the catechism is described as "a call to a renewal of faith at a time when some people may be questioning whether the good news of Jesus Christ applies to them". It is designed to provide Irish Catholics with an accessible, easy to understand introduction to catechetical teachings.

It is composed of 36 chapters, divided into four sections, dealing with (i) The Creed: The Faith Professed; (ii) The Sacraments: The Faith Celebrated; (iii) Christian Morality: The Faith Lived; and (iv) The Our Father: The Faith Prayed.

Each chapter begins with a short account of a saint or holy person, most of whom are Irish. This is followed by a presentation of a related teaching with excerpts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

It relates church teaching to Irish culture and contains questions for discussion that invite the reader to explore personal ways of connecting with the teachings of the church. The chapters conclude with doctrinal statements and suggestions for meditation and prayer. It is also available online at irishcatechism.ie