Pius X Catechism – The First Article of the Creed: On the Creation

Location: Preliminary Lesson > The Apostle’s Creed > The First Article of the Creed > On the Creation

Q1: What is meant by the words: Creator of heaven and earth?

A1: To create means to make out of nothing; hence, God is called the Creator of heaven and of earth, because He made heaven and earth and all things contained therein, that is, the whole Universe, out of nothing.

Q2: Was the world created by the Father alone?

A2: The world was created by all the Three Divine Persons, because whatever one Person does with regard to creatures is done by the other two Persons in one and the selfsame act.

Q3: Why then is creation specially attributed to the Father?

A3: Creation is specially attributed to the Father because creation is a work of Divine Omnipotence, which is specially attributed to the Father, just as wisdom is attributed to the Son, and goodness to the Holy Ghost, though all three Persons possess the same Omnipotence, Wisdom, and Goodness.

Q4: Does God take any interest in the world and in the things created by Him?

A4: Yes, God takes an interest in the world and in all things created by Him; He preserves them, and governs them by His infinite goodness and wisdom; and nothing happens here below that He does not either will or permit.

Q5: Why do you say that nothing happens here below that He does not either will or permit?

A5: We say that nothing happens here below that He does not either will or permit, because there are some things which God wills and commands, while there are others which He simply does not prevent, such as sin.

Q6: Why does not God prevent sin?

A6: God does not prevent sin, because even from the very abuse man makes of the liberty with which He is endowed, God knows how to bring forth good and to make His mercy or His justice become more and more resplendent.