This work is intended primarily for those responsible for catechesis: first of all the bishops, as teachers of the faith and pastors of the Church. It is offered to them as an instrument in fulfilling their responsibility of teaching the People of God. Through the bishops, it is addressed to redactors of catechisms, to priests, and to catechists. It will also be useful reading for all other Christian faithful. [CCC #12]
That being true, it sure would be nice if all who lead RCIA whether clergy, religious or lay person would read the CCC. I can’t speak for everyone but I’ve heard of some rather funkadelic and free wheeling things being taught in RCIA and other religious adult education. None of those things will the faithful reader find in the CCC.
But why ignore such a wealth of wisdom? Why ignore a beautiful synthesis of 2000 years worth of learning and discerning of doctrine and dogma under the direction of the Holy Spirit? Why play light with sound instruction on how to live practically as a Catholic in our world? Why play loose with moral teaching that upholds the dignity of every human being?
I can’t imagine any other reason than that the teacher finds they don’t agree with the teachings of the Church, or portions of it and so won’t allow themselves to be informed by it and thus won’t help others conform their minds to Christ by it. If this isn’t putting it too plainly, it comes down to a problem with Authority. Do I assert my own when teaching others the faith or do I authentically convey those teachings given by the authority of Christ through the Apostles?
It’s been my happy fortune to have been invited to lead a number of different parish based workshops and short term teaching sessions. It’s quite a trusting things for these priests to have allowed me to teach, being a relatively new convert (January 2006, all those years of Protestant pastoring not withstanding). It’s been quite a surprise to find how often participants have either never heard of the CCC or having heard of it do not own a copy and have never read even a small portion of it. And we wonder why the average Catholic is so easily confused about their Faith or so easily swayed by such and such novelty or teaching that crosses their path from both inside and outside of the Catholic Church.
When the average Catholic realizes that for less than 20 bucks they can own and regularly reference such a foundation on all manner of things and that they do not have to leave wisdom to the priest and seminarian it can be a life giving moment. I love those moments.
For the Catechism Project, this is your Artist + Illustrator + Occasional Catechist, owenswain of owenswain.com/blawg
