The Catholic Church does not intentionally omit the Second Commandment. The difference in numbering and wording stems from different interpretations of the original Hebrew text and how the commandments are divided.
Here's a breakdown:
* The Ten Commandments in the Bible: The Ten Commandments are found in Exodus 20:2-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21. However, neither passage explicitly numbers them. The division and numbering are a matter of interpretation.
* Two Main Traditions:
* Catholic and Lutheran Tradition: These traditions follow a division that combines the prohibitions against worshipping other gods and making idols into the First Commandment. They then split the final commandment against coveting into two separate commandments to arrive at ten.
* Protestant (except Lutheran) and Jewish Tradition: These traditions consider the prohibition against worshipping other gods as the First Commandment, and the prohibition against making idols as the Second Commandment. They generally combine the two prohibitions against coveting into a single commandment.
* Catholic Wording: The Catholic Church's Catechism includes the prohibition against idolatry within the First Commandment, which reads: "I am the Lord your God: you shall not have strange Gods before me." The prohibition against making idols is considered part of the broader prohibition against worshipping anything other than God.
* Why the Difference? The Catholic Church believes that the core idea of the First Commandment is to worship God alone. The prohibition against idols is seen as a specific application of that principle.
In summary, the Catholic Church doesn't omit the prohibition against making idols. It includes it as part of the First Commandment, based on a different interpretation of how the commandments should be divided.