Catholic Doctrine in Theology

and Ministry

OVERVIEW

Facility in interpreting Scripture and Church teachings, doctrines, and theology as they have developed through the centuries; skill at creatively using this wealth as a resource for theology and ministry in today’s complex world; and skill in teaching others to do the same.

OBJECTIVES

Christology

1. Ability to put young people into intimate relationship with Jesus Christ and the significance of his life and teachings, death and resurrection for their lives today.

Catholic Doctrine

1. Understanding of the role of the authentic teaching office to the Church as an essential tool of Christian discipleship. CCC 888-892

2. Understanding of the essential elements and richness of Catholic belief and tradition as it has developed historically and is currently expressed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and contemporary theological reflection since Vatican II.

3. Understanding of the applicability of Catholic belief and tradition to contemporary life and the experience of living as a Catholic today.

4. Understanding of the similarities and differences between the Catholic faith and other religions.

5. Ability to promote the Catholic identity of young people through all aspects of ministry and programming drawing upon the Catechism of the Catholic Church and contemporary theological reflection.

6. Ability to enable young people to reflect critically upon, articulate and apply their Catholic believes in a manner appropriate to their age and development. CCC 1699-2057

7. Ability to assist young people in developing relationships of understanding and respect with individuals of other faiths while remaining firm in their own Catholic identity.

Moral Theology

1. Understanding of the moral teachings in the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures (e.g. Ten Commandments, Beatitudes, Sermon on the Mount) and in the tradition of the Church as foundational to moral decision-making and moral living.

2. Ability to enable young people to make moral decisions as Catholics drawing upon Catholic moral teachings and principles.

220, 320 & 420 THEOLOGICAL COMPETENCIES

Knowledge

Demonstrated Skills

220.33 Familiarity with the church renewal of Vatican II.

- Ability to articulate the primary teachings of the

Second Vatican Council;

- Ability to aid others in recognizing the fruits of

that renewal in contemporary events.

 

220.71 Familiarity with the unique elements of Catholic beliefs, values and tradition including the different styles and forms of Catholic life and worship.

- Ability to help members of the school community

to answer questions regarding Catholic beliefs and

practices.

- Ability to lead Catholic worship appropriate to the

needs of the community.

320.24 Understanding of Catholic doctrine and belief and its historical development.

- Ability to engage in faith formation based on

Catholic doctrine.

- Ability to engage others in reflection and dialogue

on major issues related to Catholic identity and

doctrine.

320.41 Understanding of scriptural, theological and philosophical foundations and principles for Catholic moral teaching, conscience formation and decision-making.

Ability to provide individuals with the pastoral consultation needed for making moral decisions as Catholic Christians and to help people reflect critically on Catholic moral teachings as they make decision.

320.71 Understanding of Catholic beliefs, values and traditions including various styles and forms of Catholic life and worship.

Ability to articulate one’s own Catholic identity while honoring the religious identity of those of other traditions.

320.73 Familiarity with the similarities and differences among the Catholic tradition and other traditions.

Ability to provide learning opportunities whereby students are updated on Catholic beliefs and practices.

420.35 Appreciation for the multiple levels of magisterial teaching.

Ability to discern and pastorally communicate the intent and distinctions in magisterial statements and teachings.

420.67 Familiarity with the church documents that speak to school ministry.

Ability to implement church documents in practical pastoral ways including school reflection on what these documents have to say to their lived experience.

420.72 Familiarity of religious beliefs and values commonly shares by different faith communities.

- Ability to develop programs that would create

openness among members of the school

community in their interaction with persons of

other traditions.

- Ability to assist school members to answer

questions regarding Catholic beliefs and practices.

430 PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES

Knowledge

Demonstrated Skills

430.611 Understanding of the history, development and basic principles of liturgy, with knowledge of Vatican II documents that impact worship.

Ability to educate the school community to an understanding of these basic elements.

430.635 Familiarity with relevant catechetical documents as well as diocesan standards and policies.

Ability to evaluate catechetical processes, programs and personnel in light of these documents and policies.

520 THEOLOGICAL STANDARDS

Understanding of

Ability to:

520.03 Catholic doctrine and belief as presented in the documents of Vatican Council II, the Catechism of the Catholic Church and other relevant Church documents.

Teach persons the foundation of Catholic faith and doctrine, as well as the current teachings of the Church.

520.04 The Church’s historical and traditional development and its relevance to the modern Church.

Explain the Church’s heritage and communicate the teachings of the Magisterium.

 

520.09 Scriptural, theological, philosophical, psychological foundations and principles for Catholic moral teaching, conscience formation and decision-making.

Explain the moral teachings of the Church to individuals and groups.

520.14 The foundational elements of the Church’s social teachings.

Present an overview of the Church’s social teaching to catechists, parents and adult learners.

520.15 Religious beliefs, gifts, values and traditions commonly shared by the different Catholic churches and other Christian communities.

Develop programs that would create openness among members of the school community in their interaction with persons of other faith traditions.

520.17 The uniqueness of the Catholic faith tradition in relation to other Christian traditions.

Help members of the school community articulate Catholic beliefs and practices, especially key elements of the Catholic faith.

531 CATECHETICAL STANDARDS – MEAINING OF CATECHESIS

Understanding of

Ability to

 

 

531.101 The meaning of catechesis as nurturing growth in a living, explicit and productive faith through formation in doctrine and the experience of Christian living." (Canon 773)

Explain the meaning of the process, the sources, and the basic elements of catechesis to catechists, parents, and adult learners.

532.101 The major themes and content of the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures.

Explain the major teachings found in Hebrew and Christian Scripture to catechists, parents, and adult learners.

532.102 The historical development and content of current Church teachings as found in the catechetical documents of the universal, national and local Church.

Identify and summarize current church teachings for catechists, parents and adult learners.

532.103 The structure, content and appropriate utilization of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Integrate the teachings in the Catechism of the Catholic Church into catechist formation, parent meetings and adult learning sessions.

532.401 The major themes relating to peace, justice and Christian living in the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures, documents of Vatican Council II, Catholic social teachings in encyclicals and statements of the U.S. Bishops.

Incorporate Catholic teaching on justice, peace and Christian living into catechist formation sessions, parent sessions and adult religious education.

535.02 The appropriate catechetical documents of the universal, national and local church for catechism and curriculum design.

Design appropriate catechetical programs and curriculum for adults, adolescents and children based on church documents.