35. Responsibility of the priests. Priests, and parish priests in particular, as teachers of the faith and immediate collaborators of the Bishop, have a special responsibility for catechists. As pastors, who should recognize, promote and coordinate the various charisms in the community, they should have a particular interest in that of catechists, who share with them the task of instructing people in the faith. They should look on them as cooperators, responsible for the ministry entrusted to them, and not as subordinates carrying out instructions. They should encourage them to be creative and show initiative. They should also educate the community to respect their catechists, help them in their work and contribute to their support, especially if they have a family.

Future priests should be taught in the seminary to value and respect catechists as apostles and fellow-workers in the Lord's vineyard.