THE Vatican last week released a document on catechetics aimed at paving the way for fruitful discussions of the subject at next year's synod of Bishops in Rome, National bishops' conferences throughout the world are being asked for comments.
In America, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops wili distribute the document and request reactions through its general secretariat.
Entitled "Catechetics in Our Time, With Special Reference to Catechetics for Children and Young People," the 24-page document warns of the risks involved in the renewal of catechetics --among them "the risk of breaking with the past and the risk of fearing the future."
Christian Life AGM
The Annual Conference of the Christian Life Movement was held over the weekend of April 23-25. The first day saw small groups studying subjects ranging from preCLM groups to promotion of the movement and meeting today's needs.
In the general discussion that followed most interest was in how CLM can be active most effectively in schools. "The majority of firstformers still have a basic Christianity but few of the sixth-forniers go to Church," teacher Andrew MaCarthy from St Albans declared.
• CLM has many groups in fifth and sixth forms but it is difficult to get new members or start new groups. Now there is a growth of third and fourth form groups which should be fostered, but their needs are different to older groups, more emphasis on action and less on prayer and discussion. It was felt that CLM must cater for these needs in the future.