Q. 1. How come the Catholic Church has so many different Catechisms?

A. 1. On December 7, 1992, the Vatican (Pope John Paul II) released the first new Catechism of the Catholic Church in more than 400 years. It was a complete summary of what Catholic throughout the world believe in common. This book is the catechism (the word means "instruction") that will serve as the standard for all future catechisms.

Prior to the release of the 1992 Catechism, there were a number of regional Catechisms. And since the release of the 1992 Catechism, new Catechisms have been authored as tools to understand the current Catechism.

All of these books are excellent tools to learn the Catholic faith. Some are easier to read and understand while others require advanced education and further reading or research for a proper interpretation of what is being read. Some of the Catholic Catechisms are:

Catechism of Dupanloup

Catechism of Saint Pius V

Catechism of Saint Pius X

Catechism of Saint Robert Bellarmin

Catechism of the Council of Trent

Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church

Roman Catechism of the Catholic Church

Saint John Neumann's Catechism

Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism

The Aquinas Catechism

The Little Catechism of the Cure' of Ars

The Nazareth Master Catechism

The New Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism

The Penny Catechism: A Catechism of Christian Doctrine

United States Catholic Catechism for Adults

YOUCAT: Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church