THE CATECHUMENATE AND ITS CANONICAL IMPLICATIONS
Keywords:
preparation, evangelization, missionary, baptism, initiation, admission, liturgical, formation, apprenticeship, rights, difference, particular law, burial.Abstract
A comparative study of CCEO c. 587 and CIC c. 788 on the catechumenate shows the juridical nature of the catechumenate in both codes. First of all, there is no substantial difference between the two canonical norms. Both CCEO and CIC canons resemble the ancient catechumenate and reproduce the Second Vatican teaching on the catechumenate. At the end of the analytical study of canons on the catechumenate in both codes, it is possible to arrive at a conclusion that sacramental initiation is not possible without due preparation and the catechumenate is an essential requirement for adult baptism. In particular, the Church has a special concern for catechumens, cherishes them as her own and grants them various prerogatives. The codes, however, did not go into this question at length but rather left it to the bishops’ conferences in CIC and particular law of each Church sui iuris in CCEO to lay down norms regarding the catechumenate, deciding what the catechumens are to do and what prerogatives they should enjoy.
