Children's catechism classes (1)

Various letters have been published regarding the catechism classes for children (duttrina) held in parish halls once or twice a week.

These classes are intended to give children a good grounding in Christian doctrine to appreciate that the sacraments of Holy Communion and Confirmation help them to follow Our Lord's teaching.

If our children have not matured and are not getting enough catechism teaching, then how are they going to grow up and follow Christian teaching and live it too, not forgetting that they would then have an obligation to pass it on to their own children?

The excuses that parents do not find the time, or have trouble parking or classes are held too far away, are feeble. One must remember that "parents have the prime responsibility, being first and foremost to educate their children in religion. They have to bear witness to this responsibility by creating a home where tenderness, forgiveness, respect, fidelity, and this should be the family prime rule in child upbringing" (see Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 2223).

Reading the Bible is a simple tool to help us remember and apply its tenets in everyday life. Therefore, catechism should be taught by religion teachers like those who do it on a voluntary basis in church halls, because they have to attend special courses every year to be able to teach our children.

Children should receive this assistance from home too, so parents are also responsible for ensuring that they receive proper religious teaching, including the most important - the Creed and the Ten Commandments. It is important that children learn what they are and how to observe them.

Teaching the Word of God to children must always begin within the family, but unfortunately some parents fail to do their duty in this respect.