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Religious ignorance, even of the most basic concepts, is on the rise. That is the conclusion of several recent studies in Ireland, England and the United States.

As the new school year begins, new guidelines and requirements regarding the formation and certification of catechists, youth ministers and Catholic school religion teachers will help refocus attention on some of the basics - while also addressing a wide range of lifelong formation needs in the Albany Diocese.

Many Catholic students - and adults for that matter - lack a basic understanding of Catholicism or how to further their knowledge of the faith.

This religious illiteracy has been attributed to a variety of causes: academic skepticism, religious instruction favoring the "touchy-feely" rather than solid knowledge of the faith, parents not instructing their children sufficiently in the faith, and today's youth and society being overwhelmed by popular culture that drowns out the Gospel message.

Catechists - be they men and women working with children, adults or in intergenerational programs; youth ministers working with teens; or Catholic school religion teachers - are the unsung heroes in the effort to stem the tide of this illiteracy. Their unselfish donation of time and effort allows the passing on of the faith to continue from generation to generation.

However, in order to be effective they not only need to know what to teach, but how to teach. Exploring theology and Scripture and exposing them to sound pedagogical practice and methodology are at the cornerstone of any diocese's program of catechist formation and training.

While the Albany Diocese's Office of Evangelization, Catechesis and Family Life (OECFL) has had a long tradition of training those in catechetical ministry, to date we have focused on helping those working with children and teens.

This fall, however, we will be releasing revised guidelines that will now include formation and certification of those not only working with young people (in both parish faith formation programs and Catholic schools), but with adults and through intergenerational programs.

"Basic certification" will now consist of eight topics, including four theology/Scripture topics - Hebrew and Christian Scriptures, Jesus and the Creed - that were previously "intermediate" topics.

Catechists from the five certification specialties or tracks will then pursue full certification by completing 20 intermediate topics, including the of methodological and theological, and have the opportunity to explore various theology, Scripture and methodology topics more in-depth at the advanced level.

The OECFL's updated curriculum will also focus on the role of technology and media in proclaiming the Good News. Not only will courses be updated to ensure that the latest resources are incorporated into their presentations, but we will also be tapping into available electronic and print resources to enable catechists, youth ministers and Catholic school teachers to pursue their formation using online resources, formal presentations and lectures, independent study and competency credit.

The National Directory for Catechesis says that the aim of catechesis is "to bring about in the believer an ever more mature faith in Jesus Christ, a deeper knowledge and love of His person and message, and a firm commitment to follow him."

Our Diocese's new formation and certification requirements for those teaching religion at the parish or school level will help ensure that our catechists, youth ministers and Catholic school religion teachers will be able to faithfully proclaim the Gospel message and help students - from first-graders to senior citizens - come to learn, love and live the faith.

(Stephen Mawn is the OECFL's associate director for catechist formation and respect life.) [[In-content Ad]]

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