Honorable Bishops!
As secular Catholics afraid about the state of religion among young Poles, we call for the usage of the current discussion on teaching religion in schools to undertake a joint reflection on the way and level of teaching religion.
We do not, of course, join the anti-Catholic assault on the current government and do not support the Minister of National Education limiting spiritual lessons. However, we think that as an example of any martyrdom can consequence in the conversion of sinners, so from all anti-Christian event any good can come out – in this case, a joint reflection of Catholics on how in reality they are prepared to mature our Christian children. An immediate and thorough improvement of the catechesis of children and young people is needed.
The catechization of the young generation of Poles is an highly crucial task. As parents, we have tried and tried to proceed to convey to children the most crucial principles of faith, but it is apparent to us that it is impossible to rise fresh generations of Catholics without the participation of representatives of the hierarchical Church. The objectives of the catechesis of children, namely the cognition of God and the teachings of the Church of Christ, the moral formation, preparation for sacraments, the introduction to liturgical life, but besides the formation of the community and improvement of prayer life, will not be achieved decently without God's priests and professional, devout catechestes.
Therefore, we powerfully urge the Bishops to take, together with us – secular – a common, deeper and structured reflection on the strategy of catechizing children and young people. To jointly review teaching methods, revise curricula, reflect on the real objectives of the catechesis and directions of the essential reform. For the planet is changing at an unprecedented rate in history, and Christ and His teaching stay the same—but 1 should present He is an accessible, attractive, competent student, and without losing what Catholics have learned for generations. We service our advice as experienced parents, but besides as observers of church, social, cultural and political life.
Honorable Bishops!
In September you sent us a shepherd's letter in connection with another Week of Education. You rightly emphasized the right of Christian parents to rise their children on the basis of Gospel values. But how can we do this if spiritual lessons are frequently more like spiritual studies and propose to children that they have a free choice of their ‘way to God’? And Christ is portrayed more as a hippie than the Lord of all things?
In the same letter you addressed us with a reminder that “the lessons of religion, though never replacing the function parents gotta play in their child’s life, are, however, a large support and facilitation for parents in their education to the faith. Katecheta – a priest, a spiritual sister or a lay individual – will sow grain in the heart of the child, which possibly will not immediately bear fruit. It may happen that a mature man, after various experiences in life, will remember the words he heard in spiritual classes at school and will say: I inactive have a chance.. As in the parable of the prodigal son, even if it happens to stray, he will have somewhere to return." These are indeed beautiful words and 1 of the large values of the catechesis of children and youth! But in order to have whom to return, each young individual must know the actual Christ, not his oversweetened, untrue double, who in many cases seems to want to present to them a catechete, even if this is due to goodwill.
Honorable Bishops!
You emphasize that “all educational spheres must be taken into account in association with your children and in forming yourself. The omission of any of these leads to a disorder of harmonious human development. It should be remembered that in addition to the mental, intellectual and physical sphere, the process of education should besides include the spiritual sphere." It is upbuilding that we remember this highly crucial sphere, which together with the others mentioned, consists of the full being, which is man. This reminder seems all the more important, that all these spheres besides consist of what moral choices a young man will make in his life, both at the phase of discipline and catechesis and in adulthood.
Today's planet remains hostile to the Church and Christian morality in countless issues. Young people like a clear and clear language, realize erstwhile they realize why something is good and why something else is wrong. It is worth that the catechesis should be provided with a deeper cognition of the frightening dangers of today, and that they should be able to observe them with communication skills to scope young hearts and souls. Unfortunately, we know from experience that this is an highly uncommon skill. We besides know that a young man, naturally prone to rebellion and succumbing to temptations offered by the world, can brutally exploit the weakness of the catechete in this field. This results in the deficiency of an authority teacher and, often, prevents the effective catechesis of another participants.
Therefore, we powerfully urge the Bishops to reflect urgently on the way religion is taught and to take into account the voice of many secular groups, both those bringing together parents and close to the Church professional analysts of social life and changes.
We believe that in the context of the culture of the gathering promoted by Pope Francis, and in the spirit of synodity and companionship, you would like to perceive to our voice and call a wide, serious meeting, possibly in the form of a legislature or conference, allowing reflection on the existing standards and starting to improvement the principles of catechizing children and young people. We want to aid in organizing specified an event.
Every day, children sign out of their spiritual lessons. Teenagers make authoritative acts of apostasy. The youths leave the moral teaching of the Church, simply not knowing it. The statistic on this issue are shocking and we know that Bishops are aware of this.
So there's no time to waste. Let us usage the national discussion on the number of spiritual lessons in schools to start a much more serious debate among Catholics. In your letter to the Week of Education, you invited “all Parents, Teachers and Educators, Katechets and Pastors to cooperate in the education of children and young people” and expressed hope that this Week of Education “lived this year under the motto Let's rise together will supply inspiration for combining efforts in this work."
Honorable Bishops!
Let us rise together! Let's combine efforts! Let's go from words to deeds.
It's a shame all soul we lose if we wait.
Sławomir Olejniczak, president of the Fr Piotr Skarga Christian Culture Association
Sławomir Skiba, president of the Christian Polonia Association
Arkadiusz Stelmach, manager of the Institute for Doctrine Studies
Piotr Doerre, associate of the Board of the Association of Christian Culture named after Fr Piotr Skarga
Przemysław Kołtun, associate of the board of the Fr Piotr Skarga Christian Culture Association
Bogusław Bajor, editor-in-chief of “The Covenant with Mary”
Adam Kowalik, editor-in-chief of “The Covenant with Mary for Friends”
Łukasz Karpiel, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of PCh24.pl
Krystian Kratiuk, editor-in-chief of PCh24.pl
Paweł Chmielewski, publicist
Paweł Lisicki, editor-in-chief of “To Things”
Grzegorz Górny, publicist
Jan Poszymalski, publicist
Paweł Milcarek, editor-in-chief of “Christianitas”
Tomasz Rowinski, publicist
Piotr Semka, publicist
Caesary Krishna, publicist
Łukasz Warzecha, publicist
Witold Gadowski, Publicist
The Society of Christian Culture named after Fr Peter Complaint
Christian's Polonia Association
Institute for Legal Culture Ordo Iuris
Center for Life and Family
Institute of Doctrine Studies
Society of Social Knowledge, Bartosz Kopczyński, President
School Protection Movement – coordinator Hanna Dobrowolska
Podkarpackie Association of Free Jasło – Agata Rabsztyn, Vice President
Ronina Club Foundation -Józef Orał, President
Social Committee Polish School
Institute of thought Pro Life – Dr Dorota Jarczewska, President, Grażyna Bakunowicz, associate of the Management Board
Foundation of Life So named Immaculate Conception of NMP, Rzeszów
Female Rosary – Beata Popławska Walusiak
Free Nuts Group , Katarzyna Marek
The Foundation for Freedom of Word – Natalia Tarczyńska, President
World Association “Republic of Polonia”, Dr. Maria Szonert-Binienda, Lidia Sokołowska-Cybart
John Paul II Youth Assistance Foundation “Growing”, Przeworsk
Association of Catholic Families of the Reich Diocese
Strugu Valley Association
Association of Love and work from Rzeszów
Association of Multi-Children's Families, Rzeszów
Jack Voroniecki Society of Friends of Classical Culture, Sonina
Rzeszów Agreement for Sobriety , Rzeszów
Contra Association in Vitro, Rzeszów
