Is the Catechism “Extra Stuff”?

Jon Sorensen makes some excellent points in his latest posting. Here’s his introduction:

Some people mistakenly believe that Catholics elevate the Catechism of the Catholic Church to the status of the Bible. Others believe the Catechism is meant to explain the supposedly unbiblical teachings of the Church. Both views hold that the Catechism is essentially unnecessary “extra stuff.” In their view, all one needs is the Bible itself to know and understand the word of God. How can we Catholics respond to this?

He then goes on to deal with each mistaken notion.

However, I am also very concerned that many faithful Catholics live out their Catholic lives believing the Catechism to be some kind of “extra stuff” as well. Blindly following too many wayward Priests and Bishops and soaking up the ground chatter at their parish, they never take the time to confirm their Catholic faith by means of the glorious Magisterium of the Church, summarized in the Catechism and the Compendium. A great majority of Catholics, therefore, live in a pseudo-catholic world which, through ignorance and indifference, proves to be a danger to their own souls and to society as a whole.

Interested in reading the Catechism in an easy to use format? Access it here for free.