Timely article: Teaching the faith and the lay faithful

This week Archbishop Burke has a column on both teaching and learning the faith. This article is timely considering the recent discussions here concerning the 'theology' curriculum at Barat Academy. Some were rebuked for questioning problematic elements of the curriculum, but, as we are reminded by Archbishop Burke, the lay faithful have grave responsibilities in this area:

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (nos. 904-907), in treating the responsibility of the lay faithful to teach the faith, quotes another passage from the Council, which reminds us that the laity are not only responsible to give a strong "witness of life," but also, as true apostles, are to be "on the lookout for occasions of announcing Christ by word, either to unbelievers to draw them toward the faith, or to the faithful to instruct them, strengthen them, incite them to a more fervent life" (Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, decree Apostolicam Actuositatem [On the Apostolate of Lay Faithful], Nov. 18, 1965, n. 6).

When presented with things which could be problematic, the lay faithful have a duty to give strong witness for instructing and strengthening others.

Further we are reminded again, that we have a particular responsibility to assist our children and youth...this was made clear in a recent post discussinng Fr John Hardon's address concerning "Parents' Rights & Responsibilities in Religious Education".

Archbishop Burke continues:

The situation is also complicated by the failure of catechesis, over the past three decades, to provide a sufficiently solid and integral presentation of the doctrine and practice of the Catholic faith. Often enough, members of the faithful in the Archdiocese, who are young adults and older, will observe that the catechesis they received while growing up in the 1970s and 1980s has not prepared them for the difficult challenges in teaching and living the Catholic faith in our time.

And we witness or hear about this sad fact daily.

But there are several means to correct these deficiencies, and the faithful can not only deepen their faith by taking advantage of these tools, but they can more fully engage in their mission of evangelization.

Archbishop Burke comments on four possibilities of which the lay faithful might take advantage:

1. The Paul VI Pontifical Institute of Catechetical and Pastoral Studies
2. The Ave Maria University Institute for Pastoral Studies
3. The Missouri State Council of the Knights of Columbus, correspondence courses, developed by Fr. Oscar Lukefahr, CM.
4. Johnette Benkovic's "Full of Grace" Home Study Guide for women.

St. Paul...reminds us that teaching the faith is a sacred responsibility for which we must give an account to God, "Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel" (1 Corinthians 9:16).

The entire article is here.