23. Doctrinal training. The need for doctrinal training is obvious, as catechists must first understand the essentials of Christian doctrine before they can communicate it to others in a clear and interesting way, without omissions or error.

All candidates should have attained a certain level of education, in keeping with the standards of the country. As mentioned above, there can be problems where the general standard is not high, but facile solutions should be resisted. On the contrary, standards for admission should be above average, as candidates should be able to follow a course of "higher religious education". Without this, they would feel inferior to those who have done higher studies and would be ill at ease in educated circles and unable to face certain issues. As for the contents of the course, they should be based on the program for "doctrinal, anthropological and methodological formation" presented in the General Catechetical Directory, published by the Congregation for the Clergy in 1971^. For mission territories, however, there should be certain adaptations and additions, as the CEP had indicated in part at its 1970 Plenary Assembly and which it now summarizes and develops on the basis of the encyclical Redemptoris Missio:

- In view of the specific aims of missionary activity, the doctrinal formation of catechists will be based especially on theology of Trinity, Christology and Ecclesiology, presented in a systematic and progressive synthesis of the Christian message. As they have the task of making Christ known and loved, they will strive to know Him doctrinally and on a personal level; and in order to make the Church known and loved, they will study its tradition and history, and the witness of its great figures, the Church Fathers and the Saints.

- The level of religious and theological training will vary from place to place and will also depend on whether it is given in a catechetical centre or in short courses. A minimum standard, however, will be set by the Episcopal Conference or individual Bishops, to ensure that the training will qualify as higher religious education.

Sacred Scripture will always be the main field of study and will be the soul of the program. Around it will be structured the other branches of theology. It should be borne in mind that the catechist must be qualified in the biblical pastoral, also in view of the comparison with the non catholic confessions and with the sects which often use the Bible in an incorrect way.

- The main elements of Missiology will also be studied, as this is an important subject for the mission.

- Liturgy must also, obviously, be given a prominent place, as catechists are to be leaders of community prayer.

- According to local circumstances, it may be necessary to study the beliefs and practices of other religions or Christian denominations in the area.

- Attention should also be given to other subjects connected with local conditions: the inculturation of Christianity in the country or region; the promotion of justice and human development in the local socio-economic situation; the history of the country; the religious practices, language, problems and needs of the area in which the catechist is to work.

- Regarding the methodological training one should bear in mind that many catechists will be working in various pastoral fields, and almost all will be in contact with people of other religions, they will be taught not only how to teach the catechism but also how to go about the various tasks connected with the proclamation of the Christian message and the life of an ecclesial community.

- It will also be important to grant the catechist contents and materials connected to their new and emerging life situations. The programs of study, which has a starting point in the actual reality and from foresight, can also include subjects that help them to face the phenomena of urbanization, secularization, industrialization, emigration, socio-political changes, the world of youngsters, etc.

- In spite of the diversity of subjects, one should aim at a global and not compartmentalized theological formation, i.e. there should be an overall vision of faith that brings unity and harmony to the knowledge acquired, to the catechists' personalities and to their apostolic service.

- At this point, it is necessary to emphasize the special importance the Catechism of the Catholic Church assumes for the doctrinal preparation of the catechists. In it, in fact, is contained an orderly synthesis of the Revelation and of the perennial catholic faith, as the Church would propose to herself and to the community of men of our time. As the Holy Father John Paul II affirms in the Apostolic Constitution Fidei depositum, in the catechism there are "new things and old things (cf. Mt 13: 52), since the faith is always the same and at the same time it is the source of the lights which are ever new". The service which the catechism aims at pertains and is relevant to each catechist. The same Apostolic Constitution attests that it is offered to the Pastors and to the faithful, so that it may help them to fulfil, inside and outside the ecclesial community, "their mission to announce the faith and to call to the evangelical life". Moreover, it "is offered to each man who may ask us the reason for the hope in us (cf. 1 Pt 3:15) and who may desire to know what the Church believes". There is no doubt that the catechists will find in the new Catechism a source of inspiration and a mine of knowledge for their specific mission.

Training courses for catechists are best given in centres built for this purpose. Where these are not available, shorter courses may be provided in other locations by dioceses or parishes, and individual instruction could be given by a priest or an expert catechist. The courses should include lectures, group discussions and practical exercises, as well as personal study and research.

To provide adequate training is not easy and will require personnel, structures and financial support. But, in view of the importance of catechists, the challenge should be faced courageously, with realistic and intelligent planning.

Catechists should dedicate themselves to their studies so as to become lamps to light the way of their brothers and sisters (cf. Mt 5:14-16). They should be joyful in their faith and hope (cf. Phil 3:1; Rm 12:12), with the wisdom to transmit the authentic teaching of the Church, in fidelity to the Magisterium, without disturbing consciences, and especially those of the young, with theories that "are only likely to raise irrelevant doubts instead of furthering the designs of God which are revealed in faith" (1Tim 1:4).

They should submit their minds and hearts to Christ, who is the one Teacher, and be aware that "anyone else teaches to the extent that he is Christ's spokesman, enabling Christ to teach with his lips".