By virtue of his Apostolic authority, Pope Francis on Monday established the “lay ministry of catechist” as “a stable form of service rendered to the local Church in accordance with the pastoral needs identified by the local ordinary.”
The Pope sees the foundation of the ministry of catechist in the early days of the Church. In the motu proprio by which he institutes the new ministry, the Pope recalls the work of “Bishops, priests and deacons, together with many men and women in consecrated life” as well as “countless lay men and women” who spent their lives to teach the faith to others through catechetical instruction.”
