Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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ADAPTATION

Legitimate adjustment of basic principles to time, place, and circumstances. Used by the Second Vatican Council to distinguish external accommodation from internal renewal. Adaptation is secondary to renewal and corresponds to updating in accidentals for the sake of greater effectiveness. (Etym. Latin adaptatio; from adaptare, to fit to.)