Distribution suspended for Italian edition of new youth catechism (YouCat)

The English language "Youcat: Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church"
is published by Ignatius Press of San Francisco. (CNS/Ignatius Press). 
The English version does not contain the error found in the Italian translation. 

I've been following this story and was tweeting news of it if you follow my Twitter feed @TeDeumBlog.

It all began yesterday when CNA / EWTN News reported, "World Youth Day catechism suggests endorsement of 'contraceptive methods'".  In the body of the article it stated that the problem was not in the English edition, but in the Italian.  Both texts were translated from German and there was some question as to whether it originated there or not.  Today, CNA /EWTN News reports, "Youth catechism publisher says 'contraceptive' language not in original text"

The English-language publisher of a new Vatican-sponsored youth catechism says that a passage suggesting the use of contraception by Christian couples is not in the book's original German text, which was incorrectly translated into Italian.




“The Italian translation was really a mistaken understanding of the German,” Ignatius Press Founding Editor Fr. Joseph Fessio told CNA on April 12. “We did notice in the German original there was some ambiguity, but we wanted to translate it in the way we knew was most consistent with the Church's teachings.”


According to Fr. Fessio and Ignatius Press President Mark Brumley, the Italian version incorrectly translates the German word “Empfängnisregelung.” Although the term literally means “birth regulation,” in a general sense that can signify natural family planning, it is also sometimes used to refer to “birth control” through contraceptive means.


However, the Italian version of the YouCat does not translate the term according to what Fr. Fessio says is its literal meaning. Instead, it renders the German word as as “metodi anticoncezionali,” meaning “contraceptive methods.”


“The problem did not originate with the German text,” Brumley said in a statement on Ignatius' website, “at least not if the Italian translation is based on the same German text as that on which Ignatius Press based its translation.” [continue reading further details about the linguistics].

Later today, Catholic News Service (CNS), the reporting arm of the USCCB is reporting that distribution of the Italian edition has been temporarily suspended as they investigate.  Mind you, a press conference has been on the schedule for tomorrow with Cardinal Schoenborn who headed the effort.  It will still take place and more information will be conveyed at that time. 

Youth catechism's Italian edition suspended after translation error

By Carol Glatz



Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Distribution of an Italian edition of a new youth catechism was temporarily suspended because of a translation error concerning the church's teaching on contraception.

Thousands of copies of the Italian translation of "YouCat," a recently released supplement to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, erroneously left the impression that Catholic couples could use "contraceptive methods."

As a result, "the product is temporarily suspended, but not halted," so that the Italian publisher can "examine the text," Elena Cardinali, a spokeswoman for the Citta Nuova editorial group, told Catholic News Service April 12. Citta Nuova, the publishing arm of the Focolare lay movement, handled the Italian edition of the catechism.

[snip]

The 300-page book uses a question-and-answer format to talk about what the church teaches.


Question 420 of the Italian edition and its brief reply incorrectly suggest that a married couple can use contraceptive methods.


The question in the Italian version reads: "Can a Christian couple turn to contraceptive methods?" The answer reads: "Yes, a Christian couple can and must be responsible about their capacity of being able to give life."


The answer in Italian goes on to explain -- in line with church teaching -- that the church does not accept artificial means of contraception, but does allow regulation of fertility through natural methods.


The error was not found in the original German text of "YouCat," nor in the U.S. English edition, which was published by Ignatius Press.


The German text of question 420 "asks whether a Christian married couple may regulate the number of children they have. It does not ask whether the couple may use methods of contraception," wrote Mark Brumley, president of Ignatius Press, on the Ignatius Press blog, Insight Scoop.


"I don't know why the Italian translation reads as it does, nor do I know how it came about that it reads as it does, but it should be fixed to reflect, without ambiguity, the church's teaching that contraception is evil," Brumley wrote April 12.


"It is my understanding that the Italian text is being fixed," he added.


A Vatican official, speaking on background, said a previously planned press conference April 13 was expected to clarify the issue.


The English translation of the question and reply in "YouCat" as published by Ignatius Press is: "May a Christian married couple regulate the number of children they have? Yes, a Christian married couple may and should be responsible in using the gift and privilege of transmitting life."


The "YouCat" Italian edition came out in bookstores March 30 and sold 14,000 copies in five days, a Citta Nuova press release said April 6. At that time, Citta Nuova said some 46,000 copies had already been printed and more than 27,000 copies ordered.

[snip]

"YouCat" was to be translated into at least 13 different languages and about 700,000 copies were to be distributed to young people taking part in World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid. An electronic version will also be available.

Pope Benedict wrote the book's foreword and said he wanted to supplement the Catechism of the Catholic Church by translating it "into the language of young people."

 Hopefully, someone is checking out all of the other languages, as well. 

What a mess.  Once an error like that makes it out of the gate, you can't get it back in the bag.  Chances are, of those 14,000 Italian copies that sold in 5 days, some are probably in the hands of secular journalists and dissidents who will exploit the translation error as authentic Catholic teaching. 

---

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Note: The recommended links below are automatically generated by the tool, so they are not necessarily related content.

Fr. Barron on "dumbed down" Catholicism

If only a priest had talked like this back in the 70's when I was getting the, "My butterfly and me" version of Catholicism. 

Watch this clip, especially the ending. 



EDIT June 15: I just learned that Fr. Barron has a website.  Check out Word on Fire.


June 15th post: Slideshow video of Corpus Christi Mass & Procession at Assumption Grotto
Next post: Medjugorje researcher launches new website
Previous post: Video footage of French lighthouses getting battered in a 2007 storm



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Want to criticize the pastor, bishop, pope, or Church? Read this first....

Rev. John Trigilio, PhD. ThD. - EWTN personality, author, speaker and President of the Confraternity of Catholic Clergy has an excellent catechetical post up: May the Laity be Critical of it's Pastor, Bishop, Pope, Church?   Here is one small excerpt:

On matters of faith and morals, the official teaching of the Church as elucidated by the Magisterium requires that we ACCEPT. We are to give an ASSENT of Faith to all defined dogmas. Rejecting any dogma is DISSENT and it is a serious offense and grave sin. Revelation is the disclosure of supernatural truths by God to man and which are necessary for our salvation. Unlike Science which learns empirical truth by observation and philosophy which discovers rational truth by deductive and inductive reasoning, theology on the other hand, knows religious truth by divine revelation. "From God's lips to our ears" so to speak.


Consequently, no scientist can DISSENT from the equation 2+2=4 or that water is H2O. Likewise, no theologian and no believer can deny the divinity of Christ, the Real Presence, the Virgin Birth, the Immaculate Conception, et al. It is not academic freedom for Catholic colleges to pay professors who deny Magisterial teachings.

I've used similar examples myself.  There are objective truths, not just in mathematics and chemistry, but in matters of faith and morals.  Christ sacrificed Himself in the ultimate act of love for us.  How do we love God back? Choose obedience (Luke 10:16)

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Fr. Perrone's Monday Night Catechism...Starts Sept 28th

It's that time of year again. Whether you are exploring Catholicism, wanting to convert, or are a cradle Catholic wanting to enrich your understanding of the faith, Monday night catechism with Fr. Perrone is an excellent primer.

I was raised during an era in which "My Butterfly & Me" type of catecheseis prevailed. It was lacking in substance and fullness. Fr. Perrone's class is substantive and looks at the faith in all of it's fullness. I have gone thru it twice.

It begins on Monday, September 28, 2009 from 6:00pm - 7:00pm in the Grotto lounge and typically runs thru until spring just before Easter. This is a great opportunity to not only learn, but to ask questions as the class moves through different topics.

Call the Grotto rectory at 313-372-0762 to let them know you will be coming so they know how many books to have on hand.

At the same time, it is noteworthy that Deacon Jim Wilder will be holding this:

Intensive Latin Class for Adults and Home Schoolers - Eight week course, adults $100.00, includes book; children, $50.00, includes book. Latin II begins Friday, September 25 at 4:30 p.m. in the Rectory Basement Meeting Room with Deacon Jim Wilder.

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Learning the Faith: Healing the Spirit Series with Fr. Brian Mullady, OP

If you are around me for any length of time you will learn that I hate getting up early, but love being up early. I hit the snooze a few times this morning, but managed to be up by 6:00. After finishing Lauds, I made breakfast and turned on EWTN. There was a very good, half-hour show called Healing the Spirit. It was, I believe, episode 7 which was about grace and prayer.

I have known about the Dominican priest, Fr. Mullady, as I had seen him many times on the network and he is a contributor to Homiletic and Pastoral Review - the only subscription that I have kept (it's not news based so the information is timeless and the writers are solid). Like other EWTN personalities he is very catechetically and theologically solid. He speaks with great simplicity.

He spoke about the various attitudes we can have concerning prayer from wanting to find "the right method" to enter contemplation to thinking that "if only it weren't for [fill in the blank], I could live more holy". He brought up a quote by Fr. Dubay - another well-loved spiritual master and EWTN personality that I thought was great. [post edited here for original quote taken from, The Fire Within, page 247]

Most people would not even cross the street to witness an unobtrusive act of patience being put into practice, but they will cross an ocean to visit the locale of an alleged apparition. While both Teresa and John appreciated an authentic vision, they were empathetic that a simple act of pure love is of more value.

He mentioned St. Teresa of Avila and the mansions and covered some common errors people make with regards to prayer. He really packed a lot - effectively, in just 30 minutes.

If someone has the book in which Fr. Dubay makes this statement, please write it into the combox or email me at TeDeumBlog@gmail.com. I would like to edit this post with the exact quote. It was classic Fr. Dubay: powerful, yet simple.

Anyway, I highly recommend watching this series and if you are blessed with a secure job right now, get the DVD's. You would be supporting EWTN while at the same time, having a great spiritual watering hole you will likely watch more than once. Fr. Mullady has a number of other great talks on DVD.

Samples from HPR can be found online. They publish one or two articles per month online out of the dozen or so that are in the print edition. It is one of the best monthly, Catholic reads you can get. It even has a section of homilies for the Sundays of the upcoming month so if you are in a parish where you get a lot of namby-pamby, you'll appreciate them.

I just got an email that through the HPR Online site there is a special trial offer to get HPR for one year at $9.95 (11 issues). Try this periodical - I can guarantee you will renew at the regular cost of $26 for 11 issues. I read it cover to cover when I get mine.



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People ask: Is Obama the Anti-Christ?

I have been hearing for months, "Obama is the Anti-Christ". His home state lottery of Illinois yielded the mark of the beast, 6-6-6, on November 5, 2008. I have never believed he is THE Anti-Christ. I see that lottery number more as a stamp of approval by Satan on the culture of death and it's number one candidate.

I'm very glad that Fr. Philip Powell, OP offers some catechesis on the subject, lest people go wild with open-shut conclusions. He discusses the subject of Anti-Christ using the Catechism of the Catholic Church and makes some interesting points. In part, he says:

Now, without going into the 2,000 year-old history of how Christians have conceived the Anti-Christ from scripture, it is vital that we understand one Big Truth about the idea of the Anti-Christ: his appearance is NOT some future event; that is, the Anti-Christ is not coming "some day." He has come and gone many times and will likely come and go many more.

So, is he THE Anti-Christ?

Go read: Is Obama the Anti-Christ? at Father's blog to read his thoughts.

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Fr. Trigilio's Catechetical Crash Course: Pro-Abort Catholic Pols

Fr. John Trigilio of EWTN's Crash Course in Catholicism and author of many great books offers yet another clear catechetical lesson in yesterday's post: Thirty Pieces of Silver.

Give this man a violet biretta. "Bishop" Trigilio has a great ring to it, don't you think?

Read the entire entry. Here are some snippets (emphasis mine in bold):

IF some Catholics voted for Obama merely to save their 401K, then what is the difference had they been given thirty pieces of silver? Both are blood money and innocent blood at that.

The only time a Catholic can morally vote for a pro-choice candidate is when there is no viable pro-life opponent running against him/her. But we had a pro-life alternative, albeit not perfect, but more anti-abortion than Obama.

The courageous Bishops who enunciated this moral teaching preached to deaf ears, sad to say. While we are not one issue voters, there is a hierarchy of goods, values and principles, which must be respected. The RIGHT TO LIFE outweighs all other issues, no matter how serious or important.

Now that there is a PRO-ABORTION Catholic Vice President, the US Bishops have a once in a lifetime opportunity. Senator Joe Biden has stated unequivocally he knows abortion is wrong as life begins at conception BUT he also vehemently supports Roe v. Wade and will always support legal abortions. He and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and all Congressmen and Senators who refuse to repent and abandon their support for abortion must be denied Holy Communion AND face the real possibility of EXCOMMUNICATION. If the Vice President and the Speaker flagrantly show contempt for the Moral Law and Magisterial teaching which condemn abortion, they cause great scandal when they approach Holy Comunion.

Amen, Padre!

LOOPHOLE THEOLOGIANS UNDERMINING OUR BISHOPS
Now, I'm going to take it a step further and suggest we need to start writing our bishops, and to Rome, in order to pull the rug out from under loophole theologians who are given a paid platform at Catholic institutions to undermine our bishops. It is total madness that people like Doug Kmiec are permitted to say anything at all on any Catholic campus. That applies to other dissidents like Fr. Richard McBrien and others who have been permitted to act like wolves in the sheep pen for too long. I'll be posting more on this when I get the time to sit down and put something together. How many souls have to be lost before these people lose their good standing?

Check in periodically with Fr. Trigilio at his blog, The Black Biretta.

Books authored or co-authored by Fr. John Trigilio

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Fr. John A. Hardon on Detraction

It would seem helpful in light of discussion surrounding Fr. Benedict Groeschel's admonishment to not engage in detraction on blogs, to share more on this grave matter by another humble priest: Fr. John A. Hardon, SJ. Fr. Hardon goes in depth on the catechesis of this issue.

I'll start you out here, but please read the entire section at the site where this is stored.

Commandments of God - Detraction and Calumny
by Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J.

The immediate focus of the Eighth Commandment is falsehood that does injury to one's neighbor. Harm to another person's reputation, therefore, is the special prohibition of this divine mandate.

A person's reputation may be injured in various ways, notably by detraction and calumny or slander. Detraction is the unjust violation of the good reputation of another by revealing something true about him. Calumny or slander differs from detraction in that what is said or imputed about a person is not true.

A good reputation is the esteem that one person has formed and entertains about another. It may regard his moral qualities, such as honesty, chastity, or truthfulness; it may regard physical and mental qualities or attainments. In either case, reputation is the object of an acquired right, and consequently to take it away or lower it becomes an act of injustice. Not only the living but also the dead have a right to good esteem. During life we wish to remain in the grateful memory of mankind, and such an expectation can lead us to great exploits.

What needs to be stressed, however, is that a person's good name is something he cherishes even though we may not think he deserves it. No matter; it is his good name, not ours. We may, if we wish, forfeit our good name provided no harm is done to others. But another person's good reputation belongs to him, and we may not do it injury by revealing, without proportionately grave reason, what we know is true about him.

Detraction is consequently a sin against justice because it deprives a man or woman of what they ordinarily value more than riches. Socrates' statement that the way to gain a good reputation is to endeavour to be what you desire to appear highlights the effort required to acquire a good name. All of this, more even than accumulated wealth, can be destroyed by a single criminal act of detraction.

The seriousness of the sin committed will mainly derive from the gravity of the fault or limitation disclosed. But it will also depend on the dignity of the person detracted and the harm done to him and others by revealing something that is hidden and whose disclosure lowers (if it does not ruin) his standing in the public eye.

Not unlike the restitution called for in stealing, detraction demands reparation as far as possible to the injured person's reputation. Often such reparation is next to impossible to make, either because of the number of people informed or the complexity of the situation. But this merely emphasizes the warning of Scripture to "Be careful of your reputation, for it will last you longer than a thousand hoards of gold. A good life lasts a certain number of days, but a good reputation lasts forever" (Si. 41:12-16).

The essence of detraction is the unwarranted disclosure of a hidden failing, which implies that there are occasions when the disclosure can and even should be made.

When the revelation of another person's fault is necessary or very useful, as in defense of self or of others, no injustice is done in revealing it. This would be the case when the failing or defect is made known to parents, or superiors, or for the purpose of seeking counsel or help, or to prevent harm to others, though again, there must be adequate proportion between the lessening of a person's reputation (which is not intended) and the good to be achieved by the disclosure (which is intended). This would cover such contingencies as anticipating unjust harm to oneself in the law courts, or even seeking consolation of a trusted friend by revealing the injustice done.

Go read the full section by Fr. Hardon at the Real Presence website

Fr. Hardon's Library moves from Assumption Grotto to St. Louis as his cause is investigated


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Fr. Perrone's Adult Catechism Begins Monday, Oct 1, 2007

Whether you are a non-Catholic considering the faith, a Catholic who has not been Confirmed, have lapsed and want to come back, or are just a victim of the namby-pamby catechism of recent decades, this is a class for you. It is taught by a priest - Grotto's pastor.

When: Monday, October 1st
Time: 6:00pm (likely to 7:00 o 7:30)
Where: Grotto's school lounge
Duration: weekly until it is complete - sometime just before Easter.

WHO?
While it is labeled for adults, it is not uncommon to have whole families or for teens in the class. If you have small children, just look at the upcoming content to know if you should send them out into the hall for for a time, or perhaps leave them with a sitter on a given night. You can always ask Father ahead of time or call the rectory if you feel there may be content forthcoming that is not suitable for young ears. Usually, this will only be one evening. And, it is limited in scope for such a broad audience.

IN DEPTH CHASTITY
I should mention that periodically, Fr. Perrone will hold chastity classes which goes into more depth. He does it the old-fashioned way, by holding one class for single females, another for single males, and one for married or engaged couples. I'm told he does not even allow widows or married-divorced in the class for married couples. And, he doesn't even flinch at the most undiscussible of topics, but he provides content based on one's state in life. I'm told he has no problem telling people straight out what they ought not be doing, discussing or thinking about unless they are married. His teachings on certain matters of chastity in marriage follow the thought process of Fr. Albert Lauer - the founder of Presentation Ministries. At least one popular topic counters that which is taught by Christopher West and I too have been won over by Fr. Lauer (and Fr. Perrone's) teaching in this regard. You can sift through the topics here to get an idea.

If I learn of such an indepth chastity class forthcoming, I'll try to get a post out on it.

PRIEST-LED CATECHISM CLASS
Father Perrone considers it one of the most important things a pastor can do, next to the Sacraments. Especially where people are considering the faith, or have suffered from poor catechesis and drifted, Father feels it's his place to teach and answer questions. As much as I thought I knew my faith, all it takes is a room full of people, some of whom are struggling with certain teachings, to see the complexity of curve balls that can be thrown at a catechism teacher.

Believe me, Grotto is full of lay people who know their faith and could teach, but there is something special about a priest taking time out of his busy schedule to be with those who are in the process of making such a big decision in their life. Also, Father doesn't leave it to chance. Folks deserve a proper answer to these questions and he has had plenty of experience with a wide array of them. Ultimately, he holds himself accountable for what people are learning in his parish.

"RCIA CLASS"
I have read countless horror-stories of problems that have happened in "RCIA classes" which are often led by lay people, some of whom think they know the faith, but do not. For those without a solid grasp of the catechism of the Catholic Church, they can do more harm in the spread of error, or fall into the "I'm ok, you're ok" trap when dealing with touch questions.

Don't get me wrong. These people mean well, but have not been taught well themselves and the errors are spread, or leave students feeling disheartened. I have seen several examples of people persisting in their conversion in spite of what they themselves knew were errant teachings by life-long Catholics.

Sometimes, those converting actually know the Catholic faith better than the instructor because their own research, sometimes taking years of study, led them home. I call some of them students of the School of Fr. Corapi - whose catechism on Catholic television has probably brought more people to a good understanding of the faith than any other single source. Fr. Corapi makes it a point to talk about common errors being taught by some within the Church so it makes them easy to identify.

NO EXCUSES; NO TEST OUT
Father makes no exceptions for anyone. There is no "test out" to avoid catechism for people converting or making Confirmation at the Easter vigil in the spring.

Fr. Perrone speaks with the same kind of frankness as does Fr. Corapi. No matter how badly he would like to see people come home to the Catholic faith, he teaches the truths of the faith in an unwaffling manner. People deserve the truth, not sugar-coated half-truths.


ARE WE OBLIGATED TO LEARN?
Ignorance is one thing, but opting out of learning your faith is another. Our Lord sacrificed Himself for us. We ought to sacrifice our time for Him. Even if we don't need it to strengthen our own faith, learning the faith well gives us the ability to help other souls whose faith is not as strong. I myself attended two years in a row and wish I could go back again this year, but I have a rough schedule. I plan on making it a point to go periodically just to brush up.

BOOKS
There is no word on which book Father will use this year. There is no charge for the class, just a modest book fee. If you are on low income and can't afford the book, talk to Father. It is more important to him that you learn your faith, than to not come because you can't afford the book.


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Fr. Richard Rego, STL and his fine website

Yesterday when I posted about Catholic podcasts, I mentioned that I get some good content by listening to Teresa Tomeo on her program, Catholic Connection, through a free subscription to her podcast available through the website, Catholic Podcast.

On July 10th, she interviewed Fr. Richard Rego, STL of St. Gianna Molla in Tuscon, AZ. Father is the pastor of a community that celebrates the old Latin Mass. Father is a periodic visitor to Teresa's show and he has an excellent website well worth sharing. A collection of audio recordings can be found on this page, including his interviews on Catholic Connection and EWTN's Catholic Answers.

A collection of Father's writings can be found on the site, as well. These are excellent catechetical references, keeping in mind that his Sacred Theology Licentiate (STL) from the Angelicum Pontifical University in Rome qualifies him to teach at a pontifical university. Along the same lines are a series of Meditations on the Blessed Mother.

Looking around the site, there are some additional interesting sections, which include:

• Teachings of various contemporary bishops
• Magisterium of Previous Popes
• Online Rosary

You will want to explore the site further. For more, visit FatherRego.com

Fr. Rego has a blog, which is not updated often, but something worth checking in on now and then.


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