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Renewing Catechetical Ministry: A Future Agenda

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Unfortunately, you cannot give a book 0 stars or virtually burn it for that matter.

After hearing this particular author speak and reading his book, it is obvious that he not only has a distorted view of the Church, but a distorted view and aim of catechesis. For him, we need to first get rid of the Catechism. The reason why his view of catechesis has to move away from the catechism is because he disagrees with half of the doctrine in it (ie. original sin, holy orders, magisterium, etc.) He is just another resounding gong of the dissenting school of catechesis.

"Without intending to be disrespectful, we need to state that the CCC of its very nature promotes an understanding of catechesis that has its roots in the pre-Vatican II era and presupposes an ecclesiology rooted in that same era...it actually threatens to reverse rather than complete the renewal of catechesis begun at Vatican II" -pg. 5. He states in the appendix again that the CCC can be an obstacle to Vatican II. He states that Vat II called for a move away from cognitive catechesis to "discipleship."

For Reichert, we need to look at experience and share our own stories. We need to make smal intergenerational groups that share their stories and experiences in order to come to faith. I can reflect on my experience till the cows come home, but I will never get at the revealed truths of the faith. There is a specific content to catechesis, namely the deposit of faith, which has been so beautifully laid out in the catechism, to hand on in its integrity. One thing that stood out for me was the small, intergenerational groups he wants instead of classrooms. It sounds like he is trying to replace the family. Classrooms are where you get an age-appropriate systematic presentation of the faith. This is impossible in an intergenerational small group.

From the talk I heard of Mr. Reichert, he boldly stated that we need to ordain women, de-institutionalize the Church, and re-examine doctrines and dogmas in light of human experience and new theologies.

You may read in the book that he uses church documents and the like, but he takes them out of the context of the whole of the church's understanding of catechesis and what it means to be a Catholic.

This book is just another display of the rhetoric and jargon used to justify dissenting authors' views and opinions. The sad part is that because they are "professionals" in the field, they are taken as authoritative. Even from a purely educational standpoint, his ideas are uneducated and impractical.

His aim for catechesis is "discipleship." If he is an example of what it means to be a disciple, count me out.