“To teach the faith, one must know the faith. To know the faith, one must study the faith.”

Archbishop Chaput

“The religion teacher is the key, the vital component, if the educational goals of the school are to be achieved. But the effectiveness of religious instruction is closely tied to the personal witness given by the teacher; this witness is what brings the content of the lessons to life. Teachers of religion, therefore, must be men and women endowed with many gifts, both natural and supernatural, who are also capable of giving witness to these gifts…” 

The Religious Dimension of Education in a Catholic School,
The Congregation for Catholic Education, Rome, 1988, p. 49, # 96.

Policy 400 – Religious Education

• Policy 400 – Introduction
• Policy 400 – Table of Contents  
• Policy 400- Policy Contents (link to the official Policy & Procedure document content)
• Policy 400 – Forms

All questions regarding Policy 400 – Religious Education can be referred to:
Ann Menna, Deputy Secretary of Catechetical Formation

Introduction

All teachers in a Catholic school are teachers of the faith by the personal witness of Jesus Christ through their words and actions. As such, they should study and know the beliefs of the Catholic faith. Thus, the central importance of religious education in the Catholic School requires that each teacher be a practicing member of the faith. Teachers should also be well acquainted with authentic Catholic theology. To achieve this aim, every teacher is required to earn 16.0 credits (9 required, 7 electives) in Catholic theology and/or religious education. All Catholic school teachers must complete an Orientation course during the first year of teaching. New teachers should begin immediately the process of earning the required criteria of credits so that this may be accomplished within their first eight years of teaching. Non-Catholic teachers may not teach the subject of Religion.

If a teacher who is employed does not cooperate with the criteria for academic preparation and competency required by the Archdiocesan Catechetical Certification Policy, the Office for Catechetical Formation will not assume responsibility for the quality and authenticity of the religious instruction and formation that is being offered by that teacher.  

Table of Contents
(This is a list of the policy contents.  Click the Document Contents link above for the entire contents of the policy.)

400. Teachers in Catholic School
401. Archdiocesan Catechetical Certification Policy
402. Archdiocesan Catechetical Certification Policy for Early Childhood, Elementary, Special Education, Learning Disability Teachers
403. Steps for Earning Catechetical Certification
404. Religion Coordinator
405. Liturgical Experiences
406. Policy Statement for the Place of Celebration of First Penance and First Holy Communion
407. Policy Statement for the Place of the Celebration of Confirmation
408. Curriculum
409. Bible Selection
410. Media and Supplementary Materials
411. Assessment
412. Non-Catholic Students

• RE403.2 – Teacher Contract Catechetical Certification Form