Highlighting difference between catechetics and religious studies

Dear Editor, Re Cathal Barry’s article ‘Taking Pope Francis to the classroom’ (IC 19/11/2015), the lesson itself as described was significantly successful in most aspects. A lesson on the environment and contemporary issues was conducted in the context of Catholic values. Under this approach the issue/subject at hand is explored without violence to its innate reality and once understanding is achieved there, a question as to obligations or attitudes may be posed by Catholicism for the learner. I think the lesson described illustrates in microcosm the essence of a Catholic school.

It may seem pedantic to note that the polar bear was considered without reference to its primary food – the ringed seal. Nature is at one and the same time both innocent and pitilessly destructive. This seeming contradiction is unavoidable for Catholicism. Environmental studies are incapable of addressing God’s perplexing perceived action/inaction here. This is the stuff of theology and the faith-based, perhaps unfashionable answers have to be taught in catechetics class.

So whither catechetics? Can The Irish Catholic facilitate an article by Fr Eamonn Conway or Cathal Barry on the use of Laudato Si’ in a catechetics class to illustrate the difference between catechetics and, say, religious studies or ethics or contemporary issues? 

Yours etc.,

Neil Bray,

Cappamore,

Co. Limerick.