Church Statements
In Support of Catechetical Ministry (2014)
In Support of Catechetical Ministry: A Statement from the National Conference of Catholic Bishops (2014)
We the bishops of the United States, mindful of our role as chief catechists, write on the occasion of this new millennium and on the sixty-fifth anniversary (September 17, 2000) of the Vatican's establishment of Catechetical Sunday to recommit ourselves to the development and support of catechetical ministry.
We write on this occasion, not only to remember what has been accomplished through this essential ministry of the Church and to celebrate the present, but also to look with firm faith to the future. In our roles as chief catechists, we affirm all that is good in catechetical ministry, commit ourselves to strengthening that which is weak, and look forward to developing effective ways to reach all those who are in need of God's saving Word.
Because catechesis is a responsibility of the entire faith community (GDC, no. 220), this mission of the Church is entrusted to every baptized Catholic. Some—bishops, priests, and deacons— exercise catechetical ministry by ordination. Others participate in this responsibility through a commissioning to carry out a specific catechetical activity. We ask you to read this statement and to affirm and pray for those in your parishes and communities of faith who have particular responsibilities for this ministry, especially pastors and those who work with them, directors of religious education, parish catechists, principals, Catholic school teachers, youth ministers, RCIA team members, and all those who catechize in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.