Pope Francis with a new Apostolic Letter issued establishes the lay ministry of catechists, intended to respond to an urgent need for the evangelization of the modern world.
He wrote that “fidelity to the past and responsibility for the present are necessary conditions for the Church to carry out her mission in the world”, Vatican Radio reported.
Pope said it is necessary to recognise “those lay men and women who feel called by virtue of their baptism to cooperate in the work of catechesis”, read part of the document.
He emphasized the importance of the need for creative methodologies and resources capable of adapting the proclamation of the Gospel to the missionary transformation that the Church has undertaken.
The Holy Father wrote that the ministry, “clearly shows the effectiveness of the mission of catechists,” who have “devoted their lives to catechetical instruction so that the faith might be an effective support for the life of every human being”.
Since the Second Vatican Council, there has been a growing awareness of the fact that “the role of catechists is of the highest importance for the development of the Christian community”, The Pontiff clarified
The Pope recognizes the importance of the service of catechesis, going out to “encounter all those who are waiting to discover the beauty, goodness, and truth of the Christian faith.”
He said every catechist “must be a witness to the faith, a teacher and mystagogue, a companion and pedagogue, who teaches for the Church.”
The Pope explained that Catechists “are called first to be expert in the pastoral service of transmitting the faith.
All this is possible only through prayer, study, and direct participation in the life of the community,” so that catechists can grow in their identity and in “the integrity and responsibility” that identity entails, he stressed.
The Pope wrote that receiving the lay ministry of catechist, in fact, “will emphasize even more the missionary commitment proper to every baptized person.