The Work of
Catechists and the Variety of Ministries
73. Among
the laity who become evangelizers, catechists have a place of honor. The Decree
on the Missionary Activity of the Church speaks of them as "that army of
catechists, both men and women, worthy of praise, to whom missionary work among
the nations owes so much. Imbued with the apostolic spirit, they make a
singular and absolutely necessary contribution to the spread of the faith and
of the Church by their strenuous efforts." 154 It is with good
reason that the older and established churches, committed to a new
evangelization, have increased the numbers of their catechists and intensified
catechetical activity. But "the term 'catechists' belongs above all to the
catechists in mission lands.... Churches that are flourishing today would not
have been built up without them."155
Even with the extension of
the services rendered by lay people both within and outside the Church, there
is always need for the ministry of catechists, a ministry with its own characteristics.
Catechists are specialists, direct witnesses and irreplaceable evangelizers
who, as I have often stated and experienced during my missionary journeys,
represent the basic strength of Christian communities, especially in the young
churches. The new Code of Canon Law acknowledges the tasks, qualities and
qualifications of catechists.156
However, it must not be
forgotten that the work of catechists is becoming more and more difficult and
demanding as a result of ecclesial and cultural changes. What the Council
suggested is still valid today: a more careful doctrinal and pedagogical
training, continuing spiritual and apostolic renewal, and the need to provide
"a decent standard of living and social security."157 It is
also important to make efforts to establish and support schools for catechists,
which are to be approved by the Episcopal Conferences and confer diplomas
officially recognized by the latter.158
74.
Besides catechists, mention must also be made of other ways of serving the
Church and her mission; namely, other Church personnel: leaders of prayer, song
and liturgy; leaders of basic ecclesial communities and Bible study groups;
those in charge of charitable works; administrators of Church resources;
leaders in the various forms of the apostolate; religion teachers in schools.
All the members of the laity ought to devote a part of their time to the
Church, living their faith authentically.
|