Parents will be asked to accompany their children to weekend
religious classes, under plans drawn up by the Roman Catholic bishops.
The Sunday school-type classes are on the way for Catholic families
who don’t send their children to church schools but still want them to
get religious instruction.
In a move that will test their commitment, parents will also be
encouraged to get involved in the preparation of the classes and even
join their children for the weekly sessions.
The bishops have drawn up a blueprint for parish-based religious education, although planning is at the early stages.
A new policy document — ‘Religious Education of Catholic Children Not Attending Catholic Schools’ — takes account of the changing educational landscape.
“Not all the children of Catholic families attend Catholic schools,” states the document by the Irish Catholic Bishops Conference.
It adds that there is a need for more parish-based programmes to minister to these children and their families.
While the proposed model wouldn’t necessarily replicate the Church of Ireland’s Sunday school, the bishops’ document suggests classes should be held weekly during term time.
Saturday would be another obvious day for the sessions, which would be run by trained, paid cathechism teachers.
It is the first time the bishops have published a formal policy on the provision of religious education outside school.