CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH WITH THEOLOGICAL EXPLANATION AND NOTES To establish the faithful in the Catholic Faith, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) composed this book with the full text of the Catholic Catechism in a simple and user-friendly format. This book is an effort by the United States bishops in union with the Holy See to deliver the knowledge base of the Catholic faith and teaching to the faithful and the whole world. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is a teaching tool. It is a concise explanation of Catholic beliefs. The Baltimore catechism helps to consolidate all of the Church's teachings into a handy reference. The Purpose of the Catechism The Catechism of the Catholic Church is intended primarily to explain the teachings of the Catholic faith. It is an excellent reference for the Catholic faithful. It is also a great resource for non-Catholics interested in learning what the Church really teaches. Many misunderstandings about the Church's teachings on controversial issues can be resolved by looking at what the Catechism says about Catholic beliefs. The Catechism can also help our spiritual life because it is a clear, systematic, and comprehensive presentation of the essentials of the Christian faith. By meditating on the teachings of the Church, we can grow closer to God the Church proclaims. Is there only one Catechism? Not only can individuals learn about Catholicism from the Catechism, but also the Catechism can serve as a source for the creation of other teaching materials. Many RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) programs rely on the Catechism as the basis of their instruction for those seeking to learn more about the Catholic Church. Study materials can also be created based on the Catechism. These might include textbooks for use in Catholic schools or commentaries on the Bible. The Catechism can also be adapted for specific audiences. There is only one official Catechism of the Catholic Church, but it has been adapted in many different ways. Some adaptations seek to simplify the Catechism to make it easier for different audiences to read and understand it. The Baltimore version of the Catechism of the Catholic Church is a simplified and reader-friendly version of the Catechism for adults. Designed as a resource for Catholics to provide instruction, it can also be used extensively by all laypeople as a source of core Catholic theology. It contains the basic tenets of the Catholic faith, providing clear explanations of what is necessary for salvation. It also includes material on the Ten Commandments, the Apostles Creed, the Sacraments, and more.