Catechisms

In some ways catechisms are period pieces.  That give an answer that fits the milieu and religious politics of that time.  They are written with an opinion that tries to sell itself as perennial truth.  No doubt there is dogma which is perennial.  A period piece to rules and regulations, which is a lot of the catechisms, was that at one time if you wanted to marry a Protestant, you could not go beyond the altar rail.  You were not allowed into the sanctuary.  The Protestant was not worthy.  They were heretics and we were still fighting the Reformation of the 16th Century.  Then the rule changed.  Vatican II came along and we began to call Protestants our "Separated Brethren.   We dropped the heretic part.  Times had changed.  Now you can marry a Protestant and the couple can come into the sanctuary to make their wedding vows and so on.