Meeting of the Commission for Catholic Education of the Polish Bishops’ Conference
A meeting of members and consultants of the Commission for Catholic Education of the Polish Bishops’ Conference was held in Licheń Stary on Monday, 18 September 2023. The main topic was a reflection on the future of catechesis in Poland.
The complete text of the Communiqué follows:
Licheń Stary
18 September 2023
A meeting of members and consultants of the Commission for Catholic Education of the Polish Bishops’ Conference was held in Licheń Stary on 18 September 2023. The purpose of the meeting was to reflect on the future of catechesis in Poland.
In response to the Directory for Catechesis created in 2020, it has been decided to prepare a new Polish Catechetical Directory. A team appointed under the chairmanship of Fr. Prof. Piotr Tomasik presented the current work state. The document’s priority in preparation is to take care of the evangelizing and pre-evangelizing dimensions. An essential element will also be a vision of catechesis within the parish, especially concerning the Sacraments of Christian initiation. The new document will also pay more attention to the family’s role in the education in faith.
Another topic was preparing a formation document for lectors, acolytes, and catechists. Members and consultants of the Commission for Catholic Education expressed their hope that introducing the new ministries in the Church in Poland would contribute to a revival of pastoral zeal among the laity. These ministries seem particularly needed given the prospect of the future, the openness to the presence of lay people, and the concern for the community dimension of the Church.
The Commission for Catholic Education also expressed concern about the state of lessons of religion, a school subject in Poland. It is important to remember that school education teaches values and helps deepen faith and relationships amidst diverse social and cultural phenomena. Therefore, it should be a common concern of parents, schools, and the Church. Bishop Wojciech Osiał, the Chairman of the Commission of Catholic Education, expressed gratitude to all those who care about the state of catechization both at the academic level and in the ministry in the parish or school space.
www.katecheza.episkopat.pl/ Polish Bishops’ Conference
Translation: Sr. Ewa Dobrzelecka / Office for Foreign Communication of the Polish Bishops’ Conference
