FORMATION 0F CATECHISTS

115 If is necessary that ecclesiastical authorities regard the formation of cafechists as a task of the greatest importance.

This formation is meant for all catechists (cf. AG, 17, 26), both lay and religious, and also for Christian parents, who will be able to receive therefrom effective help for taking cane of the initial and occasional catechesis for which they are responsible. This formation is meant for deacons, and especially for priests, for "by the power of the sacrament of Orders, and in the image of the Eternal High Priest (cf. Heb. 5, 1-10; 7, 24; 9, 11-28), they are consecrated to preach the Gospel, shepherd the faithful, and celebrate divine worship as true priests of the New Testament" (LG, 28). indeed, in individual parishes the preaching of the word of God is committed chiefly to the priests, who are obliged to open the riches of Sacred Scripture to the faithful, and to explain the mysteries of the faith and the norms of Christian living in homilies throughout the course of the liturgical year (cf. SC, 51, 52). Hence it is of great importance that a thorough catechefical preparation be given students in seminaries and scholasticates, which should be completed afterwards by the continuing formation mentioned above (cf. n. 110).

Finally, the formation is meant for teachers of religion in public schools, whether these belong to the Church or to the state. To carry out a task of such great importance, only persons should be selected who are distinguished for talent, doctrine, and spiritual life (cf. GS, 5).

It is highly desirable that in this area of formation there be genuine co-operation between the various apostolic activities and catechesis, because they are performing, although under different aspects, a common task, that 0f communicating the Christian message.