Pope Benedict XVI said that a
proper transmission of the faith to the young or the uninitiated depends
on a solid grounding of the basics of Catholic formation -- baptism,
first Communion and catechism.
Pope Benedict XVI told participants of a diocesan conference in Rome
June 13 to not be afraid of their duty as Christians to evangelize and
to pass on the word of God "with courage, with conviction, with joy."
Speaking from Rome's Basilica of St. John Lateran, the pope called for
renewed efforts for evangelization, which he said, "is not the duty of a
few, but of all the members of the church."
Special attention should be given to the education of children, adults
who have not been baptized and those who have left the church, he said.
It is the duty of Catholics today, he said, "to demonstrate the beauty and reason of faith."
He called on parents to baptize their children, saying that even
youngsters are capable of understanding the importance of the Christian
message, can appreciate prayers and rites and know the difference
between right and wrong.
The church continues children's religious education throughout their
adolescent years by offering parish programs, church-run summer camps
and youth groups so that children "can understand with intelligence the
truth of faith" and also have the "experience of prayer, charity and
fraternity," the pope said.
He called on Roman parishes to continue the education of young Catholics
through catechism, emphasis on the sacraments and guidance on the value
of silence and prayer.
Despite the obstacles daily life poses to the work of evangelization, he
said "don't be afraid to commit yourself to the Gospel."