On August 15, 1997-the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary- John Paul II promulgated the Latin typical edition, with his apostolic letter, Laetamur Magnopere. In the United States, the English translation was published in 1994 and had been pre-ordered more than 250,000 copies before its release, with a note that it was "subject to revision according to the Latin typical edition ( editio typica) when it is published." The CCC was published in the French language in 1992. The text was approved by John Paul II on 25 June 1992, and promulgated by him on 11 October 1992, the 30th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, with his apostolic constitution Fidei depositum. Reminiscing those days, Ratzinger says, "I must confess that even today it seems a miracle to me that this project was ultimately successful." Ĭardinal Georges Cottier, Theologian emeritus of the Pontifical Household and later cardinal deacon of Santi Domenico e Sisto of the University Church of the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Angelicum, claims he was influential in drafting the encyclical. The commission was assisted by a committee consisting of seven diocesan bishops, experts in theology and catechesis.
It must be sound doctrine suited to the present life of Christians." In 1986, John Paul II formed a Commission composed of 12 Cardinals and Bishops chaired by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger prepared the first draft of the Catechism. The presentation of doctrine must be biblical and liturgical. The synod participants expressed the desire that "a catechism or compendium of all Catholic doctrine regarding both faith and morals be composed, that it might be, as it were, a point of reference for the catechisms or compendiums that are prepared in various regions. The decision to publish the official catechism was taken at the Second Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops that was convened by Pope John Paul II on 25 January 1985 to evaluate the progress of implementing the council's goals on the 20th anniversary of its closure.