Đakovo, (IKA) – The president of the Council of the Croatian Conference of Bishops for Catechesis, Bishop Đuro Hranić, issued a message at the beginning of the 2008/2009 academic and pastoral year in which it is emphasized that religious freedom, profoundly imbued in human nature, is also evident under our social circumstances in organized religious training in preschool institutions and catechesis in schools. In the statement, it was mentioned that confessional religious instruction in Croatian schools is a unique subject within the educational system because one of its postulates is orientation to dialogue and, therefore, it is significantly open to other Christian confessions and non-Christian religions. “Considering the goal of the entire educational system in the Republic of Croatia through the development of the individual, his or her attitude toward the world and promoting individual responsible participation in the society, Church catechesis is not understood, therefore, as a strategic activity but first of all as an activity of communication,” noted the bishop. Explaining how the Catholic Church in the Republic of Croatia wants to offer every child and young person the opportunity to discover his or her own path and response to God’s call, so that the proclaimed word is not only uttered but experienced genuinely by those to whom it is addressed, the bishop pointed out that it is very important in catechesis to awaken the interest of the students in the living faith of the Church and to cultivate in them and make possible for them an atmosphere of trust toward the Church, which not only teaches but also lives and celebrates the mysteries of faith, proclaimed in Christ, our Lord, together.
Addressing students and parents, the bishop expressed his happiness that catechesis as a school subject is arousing their great interest and that by selecting this subject they are expressing their own search and profound aspiration for that which Catholic catechesis can offer in the school. “Although the ultimate goal of catechesis in the school is to bring you students to an encounter with the religious community in which faith in the triune God is celebrated, we remind you, nonetheless, that this catechesis differs from preparation for the sacraments of initiation and immersion in the receiving of sacramental grace, which makes us capable of assuming Christian responsibility in the Church and world. This dimension of religious training in a comprehensive manner can only be provided within the framework of the parish community. It is not only the goal but also the source of all the catechetic activity of the Church, including catechesis in school. In the parish community and in its liturgical celebration and life, spiritual, liturgical, sacramental and apostolic maturation occur. It is therefore completely understandable that the approach to the sacraments of reconciliation, Eucharist and confirmation require choice and constant attendance of catechesis in school throughout elementary and secondary education, but also as a prerequisite for understanding and regular attendance of parish catechesis and participation in the life of the parish community,” explained the bishop. The bishop urged priests, catechists and parents to demonstrate, each in their way, that the parish community is not only the administrative headquarters for seeking and providing church services but also that it is first of all a place of encounter and community for all the parishioners in order to deepen personal faith, prayer and celebration of the mystery of faith, particularly the Eucharist on the Day of the Lord, the source of growth in Christian responsibility, witness and the calling of all the faithful.