Wednesday, November 12, 2003

High School Catechetical Textbooks Are Deficient

A U.S. Bishops Committee has determined that many high school religion textbooks are "deficient".
After reading the article, and I wish there were more details, it seems that use of the term 'deficient' is an understatement. Many parents have known for years that their children were being misled and poisoned in matters of Church teaching. See the article here.

Some of the heterdox examples cited:
The Catholic Church is one church among many churches.
Catholic doctrine reflects one opinion among many rather than truth.
Sacraments were "developed" over time and can change.
Sacraments celebrate a "moment in time" rather than an encounter with Christ.
The community confects the Eucharist rather than Christ through the priest.
The subject of women's ordination is ambiguous.
The Sacrament of Marriage refers to "partners" rather than husband and wife.
The inability to call pre- or extramartial sex a "sin".
Morality is presented as 'matters of options/personal choice".
Gender neutering of the nature of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
Scripture is a human work.
Miracles of Jesus were a result of 'lucky timing'.

Catechesis has been referred to as the "handing on, faithfully, of the teachings of Christ and His Church". Who are these "Catholic" publishers that produce this garbage? Why are they allowed to continue to use the name "Catholic" if this is an example of what they publish for consumption? Who are the administrators of the high schools who misuse the funds, usually provided by parents with much sacrifice, to purchase this kind of trash? Why are some allowed to 'teach' when they do not even believe what the Church teaches in the first place? This is too disheartening for words!

For those who may be concerned about the education of their high school children, you may want to look at a long forgotten series from years ago written by Fr. John Laux. It is an excellent resource and is available from Tan Books. You will find none of the poison in these books as you will find in many of those being used today. The Baltimore Catechism can still be purchased, if one is so inclined. One might also want to look to Ignatius Press for catechetical materials for younger children. Fr. Robert Levis (EWTN) also has an excellent resource for children.

I only recommend these as resources for parents because parents have the PRIMARY responsibility for education of their children. It is foolish these days, generally speaking, to rely on others to properly catechize your children. The task ahead for faithful Catholics looks quite daunting but I suspect we are being challenged for a reason. God permits evil in order that a greater good come from it. We have all the means necessary to pass on faithfully to the next generation the Faith which we have received. Parents must not neglect their obligations even if others have failed to live up to their responsibility.

No comments: