Why Does The Catholic Church Do Such A Poor Job Teaching Its Members?

[The_Wizard]

I am 60 years old. A cradle Catholic. Went to Catholic grammer school for eight years (first through eighth grade) and even went to a Catholic university for four years. And up to about two years ago I had just a rudimentry knowledge of Catholic teachings. It was discussions with Protestant friends that got me to learn more about The Church’s teachings. But I had to do it on my own! Why does The Church neglect the education of It’s members? I have called about 80% of the parished in my town asking if they offer a course on the Church teachings. Their reponse was they had RCIA classed and a Catholics Coming Home program but no other adult classes. Well, I am already a Catholic and I am already home but I want more in depth knowledge. A 20 minute homily on Sunday is not going to hack it when it comes to learning the Faith.

 

[T_More]

As a new convert, I look at it a bit differently. The Church has an embarrassment of riches for us to learn the faith. 2000 years worth. My question was, and is, why more Catholics don’t take take advantage of what they have. I have a few theories on this, but I don’t want to derail the thread.

 

[JustaServant]

I will say that is one area the Catholic Church can learn from Protestants. Things like Sunday School, youth groups for children and teens, and regular Bible study (and perhaps the CCC as well) go a long way.

 

[TimothyH]

I am 60 years old. A cradle Catholic. Went to Catholic grammer school for eight years (first through eighth grade) and even went to a Catholic university for four years. And up to about two years ago I had just a rudimentry knowledge of Catholic teachings. It was discussions with Protestant friends that got me to learn more about The Church’s teachings. But I had to do it on my own! Why does The Church neglect the education of It’s members? I have called about 80% of the parished in my town asking if they offer a course on the Church teachings. Their reponse was they had RCIA classed and a Catholics Coming Home program but no other adult classes. Well, I am already a Catholic and I am already home but I want more in depth knowledge. A 20 minute homily on Sunday is not going to hack it when it comes to learning the Faith.

With all due respect Wizard, the people who volunteer to teach RICA and to run Catholic Come Home have stepped up to the plate and are doing something to address the need, sometimes at great personal expense and sacrifice.

I have no idea about your level of involvement in the Church and I don’t mean this as a comment about you personally, but I don’t think people realize the extent to which parishoners want all kind of ministries and catechesis but are unwilling to sacrifice their personal time, talent and treasure to make it happen.

-Tim-

 

[YoungTradCath]

As a new convert, I look at it a bit differently. The Church has an embarrassment of riches for us to learn the faith. 2000 years worth. My question was, and is, why more Catholics don’t take take advantage of what they have. I have a few theories on this, but I don’t want to derail the thread.

I would tweak it a tiny bit. Yes, we have tons of resources. But generally the Church doesn’t promote them. They’re just “there,” and few know it.

I will say that is one area the Catholic Church can learn from Protestants. Things like Sunday School, youth groups for children and teens, and regular Bible study (and perhaps the CCC as well) go a long way.

I would agree.

 

[Cathryn]

I offered to do ongoing Catholic education at my parish by having coffee and orthodox DVD presentations such as “What Catholics Really Believe” and the Incredible Catholic Mass, etc.
My Pastor was very happy to let me lead it. Only a handful of Catholics come, but they are loyal and continue. My Pastor offered Bible Study taught by himself and only about 6 parishioners ever came.
Most Catholics think they know the faith. Or, at least all they need to know. Many parishes don’t have orthodox people willing to teach ongoing Catholic educations outside of RCIA. I would encourage orthodox Catholics to be willing to lead such classes. There is a lot of great material out there. Some people who would be willing to teach, the Pastors don’t really consider them orthodox enough to entrust their parish to them.

 

[JustaServant]

I offered to do ongoing Catholic education at my parish by having coffee and orthodox DVD presentations such as “What Catholics Really Believe” and the Incredible Catholic Mass, etc.
My Pastor was very happy to let me lead it. Only a handful of Catholics come, but they are loyal and continue. My Pastor offered Bible Study taught by himself and only about 6 parishioners ever came.
Most Catholics think they know the faith. Or, at least all they need to know. Many parishes don’t have orthodox people willing to teach ongoing Catholic educations outside of RCIA. I would encourage orthodox Catholics to be willing to lead such classes. There is a lot of great material out there. Some people who would be willing to teach, the Pastors don’t really consider them orthodox enough to entrust their parish to them.

If six people show up, teach the six people. If only a handful, they’ll know the Catholic faith far better than the pew warmer scratching his head trying to figure out why his son is going to the Hellfire and Damnation Fundamental Baptist Church down the road.

 

[finisterra]

I am 60 years old. A cradle Catholic. Went to Catholic grammer school for eight years (first through eighth grade) and even went to a Catholic university for four years. And up to about two years ago I had just a rudimentry knowledge of Catholic teachings. It was discussions with Protestant friends that got me to learn more about The Church’s teachings. But I had to do it on my own! Why does The Church neglect the education of It’s members? I have called about 80% of the parished in my town asking if they offer a course on the Church teachings. Their reponse was they had RCIA classed and a Catholics Coming Home program but no other adult classes. Well, I am already a Catholic and I am already home but I want more in depth knowledge. A 20 minute homily on Sunday is not going to hack it when it comes to learning the Faith.

Yes, you are right.
But it is also true that one must search for answers.
Internet if full of Catholic Information.

 

[ExGratia]

As adults, we have a responsibility to educate ourselves. A person in his or her 60s likely learned a lot in Catholic grade school but forgot because it lost perceived importance in the person’s life (just a general statement…not a judgement of OP!). What you learn in grade school (whether science, religion or history) can be forgotten if not reinforced.

Congratulations for your renewed zeal for the faith! :extrahappy:

Although I’m a bit younger, there was much for me to learn when my faith was reawakened as an adult. I read, read, and read! CDs such as those from Lighthouse Catholic media are great, too. Catholic radio and EWTN are great resources, too.

There are opportunities to learn…RCIA is a great thing for adults already confirmed. Our parish priest invites all to come and learn more about there faith. RCIA and study of the Catechism are great ways to really learn your faith.

If there is a Catholic college nearby, there are likely talks that non students can attend. Or you could audit a class. Retreats and conventions might be another route. It’s good to look at offerings at several local parishes. And the Bible is available…study bibles, lectio divina bible (from Paulist Press). Again, don’t forget the Catechism!

A 20 minute homily on Sunday need not be the extent of one’s education…perhaps daily Mass attendance or involvement in ministry/prayer groups could help. Teaching can also be an educational experience!

I am a little confused by the assertion that Catholics should follow Protestant example for the things listed. As a Sunday School teacher myself, I assure you that most Catholic Parishes have that (also known as CCD). Since many Catholics choose to have their children educated in Catholic schools, they receive religious instruction 5 days a week(and hopefully daily at home!) and therefore their children do not go to Sunday school. Some parents choose to homeschool and therefore have more opportunity to instill the faith since parents are the primary educators of children.

As far as Youth Group goes, some Catholic parishes offer that. Although I’ve observed that youth groups of any denomination are not necessarily learning about their faith…it is about fellowship…not a bad thing, just not what the OP is talking about.

Finally, Bible study is not exclusive to Protestants either! Some parishes offer that, and if yours doesn’t, perhaps the Holy Spirit is encouraging you to start one. Private Bible study is an option, too, and books/CDs by experts such as Scott Hahn are a great place to start.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t say none of this is necessary for salvation (there are many saints in heaven who couldn’t even read… and many martyrs killed minutes after their baptism). But I sure feel blessed to have the rich tradition of the Catholic faith to learn about and continue to learn about as I am 30, 40, 50, 60 and beyond!

 

[Jeanne_S]

I will say that is one area the Catholic Church can learn from Protestants. Things like Sunday School, youth groups for children and teens, and regular Bible study (and perhaps the CCC as well) go a long way.

I am blessed to belong to a parish that offers all that you mentioned and more!I do have a question,for those of you who find you parish sorely lacking in ongoing education.Do you have an adoration chapel?

 

[Nicea325]

I am 60 years old. A cradle Catholic. Went to Catholic grammer school for eight years (first through eighth grade) and even went to a Catholic university for four years. And up to about two years ago I had just a rudimentry knowledge of Catholic teachings. It was discussions with Protestant friends that got me to learn more about The Church’s teachings. But I had to do it on my own! Why does The Church neglect the education of It’s members? I have called about 80% of the parished in my town asking if they offer a course on the Church teachings. Their reponse was they had RCIA classed and a Catholics Coming Home program but no other adult classes. Well, I am already a Catholic and I am already home but I want more in depth knowledge. A 20 minute homily on Sunday is not going to hack it when it comes to learning the Faith.

Actually, I do not think this is a fair analysis of the current church. The CC has many ministries through out each parish,some more than others. Here lies the problem: People will complain,yet as baptized & confirmed Christians it is our responsibilty to carry out the mission,life of the church, and both coporal and spiritual works. I hear it all the time from parents telling me why the church doesn’t do this or have that or just dump the plan on my desk,but want no part of carrying it out.

As St.Paul says: Don’t be just hearers of the Word,but moreover, do it!

 

[asia53]

I would tweak it a tiny bit. Yes, we have tons of resources. But generally the Church doesn’t promote them. They’re just “there,” and few know it.

I respectfully disagree. My parish has Bible classes (offered morning and evening), lectures on CCC, Church teachings, etc, advertised in the bulletin, and mentioned by Father at the end of all Masses. Bible classes usually cost $25 for a 26 week study, lectures are free.

A parish of 400 families, only 50 people will attend, and time and time again, it’s the same 50 people. Can you tell I’m one of those 50?

As T More has said, we have an embarrassment of riches, and so few take advantage.

 

[FAB]

I am 60 years old. A cradle Catholic. Went to Catholic grammer school for eight years (first through eighth grade) and even went to a Catholic university for four years. And up to about two years ago I had just a rudimentry knowledge of Catholic teachings. It was discussions with Protestant friends that got me to learn more about The Church’s teachings. But I had to do it on my own! Why does The Church neglect the education of It’s members? I have called about 80% of the parished in my town asking if they offer a course on the Church teachings. Their reponse was they had RCIA classed and a Catholics Coming Home program but no other adult classes. Well, I am already a Catholic and I am already home but I want more in depth knowledge. A 20 minute homily on Sunday is not going to hack it when it comes to learning the Faith.

There are tones of education programs. Part of the problem is the faithful taking advantage of them. Most do expect a homily a week to educate them.

 

[Alan55]

Priests in large parishes are very busy and generally don’t do a lot of teaching outside of sermons at mass. Even then, sermons tend to include very little actual teaching in my experience. If a priest teaches a class, it is often very well attended, but in my experience, very few classes are taught by priests (I’m talking here about parishes in Maine, Massachusetts, Oregon, Missouri and California attended over the course of 32 years).

Therefore, it’s up to religious (if there are any in your parish), laity, and the occasional deacon to provide adult education opportunities. Attendance at adult faith formation classes taught by non-clergy is pretty poor by and large, and very seldom does the priest encourage people to attend classes taught by non-priests.

My suggestion is to us packaged programs with well-prepared materials. For example, Ascension Press offers nice program on the bible (The Great Adventure), sexual morality (Theology of the Body), and other topics. These include DVD presentations that remove the burden of finding a qualified teacher. I started a program in my parish that used The Great Adventure Bible Timeline series that ran for a year and involved more than 100 adults in several small groups.

Fr. Robert Barron’s “Catholicism” project includes DVDs of the TV series, a book, and study guides. Another option is to host a book club that reads and discusses good, Catholic books, such as the Catechism of the Catholic Church. None of these approaches require any skills beyond the ability to host and lead a small group.

 

[number2wilkins]

as one waiting for RCIA to begin, i am OVERWHELMED with how much there is to learn about Catholicism!

it’s like trying to sip water from a fire hose

i am having a blast reading everything i can get my hands on and bothering my priests with questions…

wish i had more hours in the day to study:shrug:

 

[Lancer]

We have had the remarkable gift of the **The Catechism of the Catholic Church Second Edition ** since @ 1995…from the Holy Spirit using Blessed John Paul II’s Pontificate…yet you and I blame the Church for doing a lousy job of teaching the faith.

I have to say that GK Chesterton’s answer to your question is my answer…He said (paraphrasing)…I can tell you in one word the answer to your question…ME…I am a cradle Catholic and I am not yet a saint…maybe I get “close” to it on some days…but “close” only counts in horseshoes…and I don’t know my faith as well as I should…enough to teach it…or to explain it.

How many of us cradle Catholics in the last 50+ yrs…or just say during Blessed John Paul II’s Pontificate (27 yrs +7yrs of Pope Benedict XVI’s Pontificate…34 years…have bought new cell (smart) phones, computers, TV’s, autos/trucks/bikes (with GPS), new TV cable/media/sound systems, new tools for auto or house, new home state of art building and landscape tools/upgrades…global warming efficiency systems…new sports, fitness, hobby stuff…etc., etc., etc.,…and** in every case we spend hours with the “owners manual”…sometimes obsessively with the really neat high tech “stuff”…to learn everything about it…how to operate it…what to do/not do…and learn to utilize every nuance and option of our “new toy”**…and yet we don’t know our Catholic faith well enough to explain it even to another Catholic…let alone to a Protestant…or even a pagan …and we consistently hear …the reason is “poor catechesis”…“a bad era and/or generation of Church catechesis” is to blame…and boy, do we blame it on others: the Church…the pope, bishop, priest, the religious, lay apostolates, our parents, Godparents, siblings, the homilies…etc., etc.,…yada…yada…yada…!

The hard cold facts…I believe tell a different story about the real problem…as the old saying goes it is the same with your “thesis”…“that dog won’t hunt”…here in time and surely not in eternity…especially when the Just Judge starts asking us about all the “toys” we knew so much about…!

For your consideration…
Pax Christi

 

[Allegra]

Most of the parishes around me have multiple opportunities for adult faith formation. However, I live in a city with a large Catholic population and most of the churches are large and have more than one priest. In a smaller parish, they may only have one priest who may be strapped for time to organize things like this. That leaves it up to the lay people. I do know that RCIA classes in my area are often suggested for Catholic adults who would like to know more about the Church’s teachings. In fact, I imagine it makes the class more interesting and comfortable if there are more people there to discuss and ask questions. There are also lots of other resources outside of the parish, like Catholic radio and websites like this. I guess my point is, the opportunity is there for most people, but maybe the problem is that it isn’t required that adults take advantage of it.

 

[Nicea325]

I respectfully disagree. My parish has Bible classes (offered morning and evening), lectures on CCC, Church teachings, etc, advertised in the bulletin, and mentioned by Father at the end of all Masses. Bible classes usually cost $25 for a 26 week study, lectures are free.

A parish of 400 families, only 50 people will attend, and time and time again, it’s the same 50 people. Can you tell I’m one of those 50?

As T More has said, we have an embarrassment of riches, and so few take advantage.

A parish of 400? Wow! I wish I could be at a smaller parish. The parish I work at has over 7,000 registered families. Indeed,but I can tell you that at being the same parish for seven years as the Director of Catechetical Ministry it certainly is not the same 50 asking for monetary assistance.

 

[Phemie]

There are tones of education programs. Part of the problem is the faithful taking advantage of them. Most do expect a homily a week to educate them.

Honestly, I was involved in the Church in various capacities for years before I found out about the Cathechism, the Code of Canon Law, documents, etc. I was on liturgy committees for years before I found out about the GIRM. Once I discovered all this I couldn’t get enough but nobody in all those years mentioned any of that and no parish I was ever in offered any of the programs that are mentioned here. You don’t know that you’re missing something if you don’t know those things exist.

 

[choliks]

I think this thread belongs to the Evangelization sub-forum.