On the World

COMPENDIUM

The Catholic Church teaches that God created the whole world — the sun, the moon, the planets and stars, and all living things, including man — out of nothing. She furthermore teaches that God's primary purpose in creating the world and everything in it was His own external glory. Though God is infinitely perfect, and cannot increase His perfection, He did communicate some of His perfection to His creatures. These creatures reflect God's perfections — e.g., His wisdom, goodness, etc. — and thus give external glory to God. Besides this primary purpose, the Church also teaches that the secondary purpose of God's creation is the happiness of His rational creatures, i.e. of Angels and men.

CATECHISM

12. What does the Catholic Church teach with regard to the origin of the world?

The Catholic Church teaches that God created the whole world out of nothing.

13. For what purpose did God create the whole world?

The Catholic Church teaches that God's primary purpose in creating the world and everything in it was His own external glory.

14. Besides this primary purpose, did God create the world for any other purpose?

The Church teaches that the secondary purpose of God's creation is the happiness of His rational creatures.