Education and formation of catechists and teachers of religion in the Czech Republic. Challenges and perspectives

This article presents a view of the contemporary situation in the field of training and lifelong education of catechists and teachers of religion within the Roman Catholic Church in the Czech Republic. The catechetical ministry always has a concrete form and a concrete addressee; therefore, it is useful to first address the context of this ministry in ­contemporary Czech society, and a short historical excursion should serve this purpose. This is the period since the fall of communism. The next part of the article deals with the issue of the legislative organisation of teaching in public schools and the resulting requirements for the professional qualification of a teacher of religion. The third chapter pays attention to catechetical formation, which from the point of view of the Church is crucial in the whole process of evangelisation (part of which is also catechesis). The fourth chapter analyses the system of education and formation of catechists and teachers of religion in the Czech Republic (basic and lifelong). The last part pays attention to some important challenges related to teaching religion and catechesis in the Czech secular environment. It also attempts to develop perspectives related to catechetical ministry in the Czech society.