Criteria for the Selection of Adolescent Catechesis Resources

The effective and authentic faith formation of adolescents is a deep pastoral concern of the Archbishop of Washington. This concern is reflected in A Vision for Adolescent Catechesis in the Archdiocese of Washington (2004).

This Vision lists 14 different viable models for adolescent catechesis. Regardless of which model or models are utilized in a particular parish program, following are the criteria to be met for the selection and use of adolescent catechesis resources:

• Adolescent catechesis models which use textbook series and stand-alone texts must select from those that have been designated to be in conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church by the USCCB Ad Hoc Committee to Oversee the Use of the Catechism. A list of approved textbook series and stand-alone texts is available online, under “Conformity Reviews.”
• Adolescent catechesis models which do not use approved textbooks or stand-alone texts are to employ resources that have been recommended by the Joint Committee of the Archdiocesan Offices for Youth Ministry and Religious Education. A current list of recommended resources is available here.
• Resources recommended by the Joint Committee must meet the following criteria: doctrinal soundness, catechetical creativity and cultural adaptability.
• Catholic printed and electronic media resources employed in adolescent catechesis that address questions of faith and morals must have received appropriate ecclesiastical approval as stipulated by Canon 827 §2 before they will be reviewed by the Joint Committee.
• Other youth ministry materials, without ecclesiastical approval, may only be used as secondary resources in the design and implementation of adolescent catechesis models.