Catechesis

Catechesis belongs to catechism catechist, Catechetics and catechumen to the Greek of κατηχέω ( Katecheo " I teach / instruct " ) derived loan words. In this semantic field, it is the process name, ie for teaching or instruction. Do not confuse it with the also located in this environment katechon which ( " I keep on hemme / " catecholamines ) also to the Greek κατέχω back. Cause of this confusion is the fact that the Greek η ( eta ) was transcribed by the Latins as έ ( epsilon) with e.

Meanings and use

Commonly the word catechesis as his relatives is exclusively in the area of Christian churches and thinks there the theoretical and practical introduction to the Christian faith in the family and in special community events. In contrast to the religious education whose aim is knowledge transfer, catechesis will introduce you to the practice of faith. She's biography based, action-oriented and time -limited. The encounter of man with God, Jesus Christ has proclaimed, is a fundamental task of catechesis. The relationship of this father of God to man is placed at the center, so that man can wear them and thus in his Christian can continue to develop.

Since early church catechesis is time to prepare for the reception of a sacrament, always first baptism later ( Catholic) of the First Communion and Confirmation, or ( Protestant) developed from both confirmation. At times, even the teaching of religion in teaching catechesis was called. In order for a specific church -related concept was connected. In a technical sense narrowed a single catechetical unit, a (children's) preaching and their written draft with learning destination, the course plan, justified the use of media, etc. is called catechesis.

The main time of the early church baptismal catechesis was Lent, which resulted in several, partly solemnized stages to be baptized at the Easter Vigil. Even today reflect the Gospels of the five Fast Sundays this taufkatechetische determination.

Roman Catholic Church

In the Catholic sector is obtained for the sacramental ministry more and more the concept of a mystagogic by catechesis, catechesis is an introduction to the mysteries of faith celebrated through symbolically - depth biographical interpretation.

On 15 August 1997, the Congregation for the Clergy has published a new edition of the General Directory for Catechesis. Here, reference is made to the drafting of a " Directory for catechetical instruction of the Christian people ", which was placed in the context of the Second Vatican Council. A first edition was by Pope Paul VI. approved, was the promulgation on 11 April 1971, the name of the Directory catecheticum generale.

Full-time catechists need to undertake their business a canonical mission, yet the first place of catechesis is the family. The sacrament of catechesis is in many parishes largely in the hands of volunteer catechists who must have no special training.

Switzerland

It is still in the ( German ) Switzerland the Catholic area, the term " catechesis " is equivalent of the religious instruction, depending on the canton as extracurricular compulsory or election bid in the premises of the school, or - in the spaces - such as the fact according to the meaning of catechesis municipality is performed. " Catechist / f " denotes accordingly - as mostly in Germany - full-time or part-time teachers for the subject of religious education. Explicitly gemeindekatechetische concepts that involve the community and its members as subjects of Lehr-/Lernprozesses (Protestant " Christian Education " ), there are at most in the environment of the sacrament catechesis, most of all within concepts of a Firm preparation in adolescence ( Confirmation with / from 17 / 18).