History of the Catechism

Background to the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church is the official text which contains the fundamental Christian truths, formulated in a way that facilitates their understanding.
The Catechism originated from a recommendation made at an Extraordinary Synod of Bishops in 1985. Then in 1986 Pope John Paul II appointed a commission of Cardinals and Bishops to develop a comprehensive text of Catholic doctrine. On the feast of the Immaculate Conception (8th December) 1992 Pope John Paul II promulgated the Catechism with apostolic constitution.
The Catechism is divided into 4 parts,
Part 1, The Profession of Faith – The Creed.
Part 2, The Celebration of the Christian Mystery – The Sacraments.
Part 3, Life in Christ – The dignity of the Human Person and the Commandments.
Part 4, Christian Prayer – The Lord’s Prayer.

Background to Maryvale Institute.
In order to make the Catechism more accessible to all and to set out an ordered study of the Catechism, Maryvale Institute, an International Catholic College set up in 1980 as the Catechetical Centre of the Archdiocese of Birmingham developed a distance learning course based on a set of study guides prepared by the Maryvale team.This is the course we follow.

Background to the delivery of the Study course:
A steering team is in place for the Promotion and Delivery of the study of the Catechism of the Catholic Church in Ireland.
The team comprises :
•Most Rev. Alphonsus Cullinan, D.D.,Bishop of Waterford and Lismore
•Rev. Tom Deenihan, Cork and Ross
•Rev. Donncha Ó hAodha, Prelature of Opus Dei
•Rev. Sean Corkery, Cloyne
•Rev. Timothy Bartlett, Down and Connor
•Caoimhe Frain, Dublin
•Máirín Ní Shúilleabháin, Cork and Ross

The national co-ordinator is Máirín Ní Shúilleabháin who does this on a voluntary basis.

Of the 26 dioceses the following are currently participating in the study: Ardagh and Clonmacnoise, Cloyne, Cork and Ross, Derry, Dublin, Elphin, Ferns, Galway, Kerry, Kildare and Leighlin, Killala, Killaloe, Kilmore, Raphoe, Tuam, Waterford.

The format of the study of the Catechism is based on the Maryvale 6-unit, 72-week programme over 3 academic years. The academic year is:
•Semester 1 : 12 weeks : September – December
•Semester 2 : 12 weeks: January –April
with a mid-term break in each semester. One unit is covered in each Semester.
Each study group comprises 8-10 students, 1-2 spiritual directors and a facilitator. Students complete study at home and meet weekly to share and discuss with other students/spiritual director and facilitator.