As A CATHOLIC of 18 years (I joined the Church when I was 30), I read with interest the two articles in your 7 July issue, both were reporting on the lack of Christian teaching in our schools and our homes.
Though I agree with the comments made I would like to add to them. In some areas it is not possible for our children to attend Catholic schools and though I agree that teaching the Faith must begin in the home, in my experience many parents are ignorant of the teachings of the Church, and therefore unable to instruct their children adequately.
Another deep concern I have is the depth of instruction our children receive. I well remember one occasion when I asked a child of nine why she genuflected when she went into church, her reply was "because everyone else does". This is just one example of how we are failing our children. I could give you many more.
Is it not possible for every Diocese to set up a Parish network of instruction which is monitored to ensure that our children are taught to the best of our ability?
know from experience that even if a child is taught well they can still "fall away". But I do not think that is the point. When a child is baptised we promise as adults to instruct them in the faith to which they have been received.
I feel we must do everything within our power to fulfil that promise, if the child chooses not to accept what has been taught in later life then that is their choice.
At the very least we will have given them the information they need to make that choice.
Vivien Yasities Glastonbury Somerset