Pope Benedict to French Bishops- Catechists must have "Diligent preparation"

Lessons from Pope Benedict's address to the French Bishops he gave in Lourdes today can be applied around the world. See the the full English Text Apostolic Voyage to France, the Holy Father's Address to the Bishops of France

I just posted on one aspect here at Pope Benedict - What Makes a Nation? Talk to French Bishops Has American Political Lessons For 08 .

The Pope Again and Again hits on the important of teaching the Faith and in fact his most Holy predcessor John Paul the II alos hit on the importance of the training of Catechist and how THAT WAS A BISHOPS RESPONSIBILITY.

In reality, it seems to make sure everyone from the RCIA teacher, to the 9th grade CCD teacher is competent and in fact teaching the full Faith seems not high on their priorities. Oversight? What is that!!!

The Pope spoke at great detail on this subject to the Bishops in France today. Here is just a part

You are rightly convinced that, if every baptized person is to grow in desire for God and in understanding of life’s meaning, catechesis is of fundamental importance. The two principal instruments at your disposal – the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Catechism of the Bishops of France – are like precious jewels. They offer a harmonious synthesis of the Catholic faith and they ensure that the preaching of the Gospel is truly faithful to the riches that it contains. Catechesis is not first and foremost a question of method, but of content, as the name itself indicates: it is about an organic presentation (kat-echein) of the whole of Christian revelation, in such a way as to make available to minds and hearts the word of him who gave his life for us.

In this way, catechesis causes to resound within the heart of every human being a unique call that is ceaselessly renewed: “Follow me” (Mt 9:9). Diligent preparation of catechists will allow integral transmission of the faith, after the example of Saint Paul, the greatest catechist of all time, whom we regard with particular admiration in this bimillennium of his birth. In the midst of his apostolic concerns, he had this to say: “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths” (2 Tim 4:3-4).

Recognizing the truth of his predictions, you strive with humility and perseverance to be faithful to his recommendations: “Preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season … be unfailing in patience and in teaching” (2 Tim 4:2).