Miejsce katechezy rodzinnej w procesie religijno-moralnego wychowania dziecka

Abstract

Every developmental period has a value in itself and not merely as preparation for the next stage. Therefore, it is necessary to respect each stage of the child’s development also from a religious point of view and to give him a chance for full contact w ith God. Properly understood education and the truthful transmission of faith have much in common. Religious education, which provides help in entering upon a dialogue w ith God and adopting an appropriate attitude towards Him, is not a branch of education but an educational quality involving the child’s life as a whole. The process of religious education, which has an impact on the child’s religious development, includes environmental influences, especially that of the parents. The process is based on the possibilities determined by the child’s mental development and on his own activity, which in time acquires the form of self-teaching and self-education. The atmosphere at home and the parents’ image can be regarded as elements of religious education in the broad sense. Religious education in the strict sense relates to catechesis in the family conducted by the parents, which bears witness to the faith and inspires faith, because it consists in proclaiming the Good News; for no human word is capable of arousing religious faith. It is characteristic of family catechesis that it takes place in the ordinary circumstances of everyday life and in connection w ith its events. In addition to parental example and the moral atmosphere of the home moral education is also influenced by encouragment to do good, explanations, comments and praise received by the child as his thinking and moral judgment develop. All these items, combined with a Christian interpretation of life and actions, which is based on the Bible and the Church’s teaching, form part of moral or ethical catechesis in the family. The proper development of conscience is an im portant element of the child’s moral and social development. It involves two strands: the development of moral judgment and of the sense of guilt. Conscience is often termed the voice of God, which it has become owing to religious initiation, which helps man to open himself to dialogue with God. The word of praise, rebuke, encouragement, reminder, explanation, command, prohibition plays a significant role in the rise and formation of conscience. Family catechesis supplements these verbal reactions and instructions with a religious motivation. It reveals religious perspectives and is based on religious concepts and examples, thus bringing a religious factor into the development of conscience.