Jaka katecheza młodzieży?

Abstract

Three concepts of catechesis are presented and an answer is given to the question of what Polish youth catechesis is like. The three concepts are: catechesis for the young, catechesis about the young and catechesis of the young. The first is derived from the principles of life and the teachings of the Church as applied to the young, who are to accept it without reservation. The second has been proposed by young people; it resolves itself into a discussion of the problems od adolescent world; it speaks about young people, and in particular about their goals and aspirations. The third is a meating place for the worlds of the adults and of the young for Divine Revelation and human experience, for the Church’s teaching and the world’s scientific discoveries. All three concepts have some following in Poland. In practice, catechesis for the young is the most popular, although catechesis about the young is lately beginning to mark its presence in some circles. While he recognizes the unquestionable values of both, as well as their drawbacks, the author postulates catechesis of the young as the most suitable kind of catechesis for our time. He also appeals for cooperation with the young in both the preparation and the implementation of the catechetic programme.