(Bishop of Diebougou, Burkina Faso)
In the dioceses of Burkina and Niger they have been experiencing for a long time something very interesting ? especially since 1977, a date when Bishops made a fundamental option for a Family-Church: mothers and fathers undertook to make sure that young children (from 6 to 10 years of age) were taught Catechism, including in some primary schools. It is especially in urban centres that this experience hits the record.
Well structured in a "basic Christian community", the Family-Church becomes the place of different commitments on the part of lay faithful in the name of the faith. Mother and father catechists come from fervent Christian homes, movements for Catholic Action, spiritual associations of the Legion of Mary, charismatic movements, etc.
Family pastoral work fosters and supports this movement of committed parents whose number is increasing more and more.
A doctrinal, catechetic and spiritual formation turns out to be necessary for them.
The "movement" of mother and father catechetics hits against problems of material means, of a financial nature and of the environment.
"This movement" arouses awareness on the part of the lay faithful in relation to their commitment in the Family-Church as well as a strong desire to deepen their faith, doubled by a will to proclaim the Good News.
Therefore, one must pay attention to the needs which crop up and try to validly answer with the help of God.
Original text: English
