Catholic Bishops, Scholars Reviewing New ‘Universal Catechism’

Considered one of the the most important Roman Catholic documents since the reforming 1962-65 Second Vatican Council, a proposed new “universal catechism” is under review by bishops.

Theologians and other scholars also are taking a look at it and find some serious faults, as well as some merits.

Offered as a comprehensive summation of basic Catholic teachings on faith and morals, its finished version is intended to serve as a guide for catechisms in various regions of the world.

“It’s a long document, and a lot of both positive and negative elements are seen in it,” said Father Thomas J. Reese after reviewing comments from a dozen church scholars.

Reese, coordinator of a symposium on the proposed document today and Sunday at the Woodstock Theological Center in Washington, D.C., said indications lean to “a number of difficulties with the catechism.”

He said shortcomings are seen in its compartmentalizing of aspects of faith, in its tendency to separate the spiritual from the natural, in its sexist language and in its “poor use” of the Bible.

Reese, a Jesuit theologian-political scientist and research fellow at the center at Georgetown University, expressed doubts that bishops could meet the May 31 deadline set by the Vatican for their reactions to the 434-page draft.

“The bishops need a lot more time to examine such an important document and to consult with theologians about it in formulating their comments,” he said in an interview.

“This is the the most important document to come out since Vatican II,” he said. “It will set the parameters of how the Catholic faith is taught in the 21st Century.”

A bishops’ committee, headed by Archbishop Oscar Lipscomb of Mobile, Ala., was set up early this month for a preliminary study, but the bishops don’t hold a business meeting until next November.