34.
Responsibility of the Bishops in
particular. The Bishops, as "the ones primarily responsible for
catechesis", are also those primarily responsible for catechists.
Recent documents of the Magisterium and the new Code of Canon Law stress this
responsibility, based on the Bishops' role as successors of the Apostles, both
collegially and as pastors of local Churches.
The CEP urges individual bishops and the
Episcopal Conferences to continue and even increase their attention and care
for catechists, making sure that there are definite criteria for selection,
developing programs and structures for formation, seeing to questions of
remuneration, etc. They should take an interest in their catechists and, as far
as possible, have a personal relationship with each of them. Where this is not
possible, an episcopal vicar should be named for them.
From its own experience, the CEP suggests
the following points for special attention:
- Making the faithful, and especially
priests, aware of the importance and role of catechists.
- Drawing up or renewing catechetical
directories on a national or diocesan level, so as to apply and adapt to
local conditions the guidelines of the General Catechetical Directory,
the Apostolic Exhortation Catechesi Tradendae and the present Guide
for Catechists.
- Guaranteeing a minimum of teaching aids
and equipment for the formation of catechists, so that they will be
properly trained for their task; also, if possible, founding or improving
catechetical centres.
- Encouraging the preparation and selection
of cadres i.e. catechists who have been well trained in a centre
and who have had a certain amount of experience, to work closely with the
Bishop and priests, to help in the training and guidance of volunteer
catechists, and to take leading roles in the application of the catechetical
program.
- Providing, with the help of the community,
a budget for the training, activities and maintenance of catechists.
Above all, Bishops will express their
responsibility for catechists through paternal love, attention to their needs
and personal acquaintance with them.
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