Tasks Priests, Catechists, and Parents on Stronger Catechetical Formation
The Catholic Bishop of Ahiara Diocese, Most Rev. Simeon Okezuo Nwobi, CMF, has expressed concern over what he described as a decline in faith formation among some of our youths, charging priests, catechists, and parents to take the teaching of catechesis more seriously, especially among our young people, to safeguard the future of the Church.
The bishop made this call during the Presbyterium meeting held on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at the Diocesan Secretariat Hall while addressing priests on the need to intensify the preparation of the young people for the reception of the sacraments. Lamenting the growing lack of knowledge of basic Catholic teachings among the young people, especially as he observed during his pastoral visits to parishes, the prelate encouraged that catechesis should occupy a central place in parishes. He urged parish priests to take the lead in strengthening catechetical programs in their parishes. “Do not make it a delegation affair. As a parish priest, you must be fully involved and also provide catechists who assist in the work with the necessary materials that would aid them in this apostolate,” he emphasized.
He charged the priests to encourage catechists to rededicate themselves to their apostolate, as they play a crucial role in the transmission of the faith. He warned that neglecting catechesis in parishes could deepen confusion in young people, making them vulnerable to accepting acts inimical to their faith, like the growing trend of “let us go back to our roots,”- a slogan that is overly motivated by fetish practices. He added that a well-catechized generation is essential for the future of the Church.
Bishop Nwobi further stated that priests should encourage parents to take their apostolate more seriously, noting that many young people today are unable to answer simple questions about their faith or even recite common Catholic prayers, as observed while interacting with candidates for confirmation during his pastoral visits. He described the situation as one that requires urgent attention. “Neglect of catechesis is the neglect of the foundation for nurturing a strong Christian faith, and in assisting young people to comprehend the teachings, traditions, and good values of the Church, catechesis should form part of the basic programs in our parishes,” the prelate highlighted.
He equally noted that parents have a stronger role to play in this regard. According to him, parents as the first teachers of the faith have a greater role, especially in complementing the efforts of priests and catechists by ensuring that children receive proper religious formation at home. He apportioned a greater blame to some parents, describing them as major contributors to the current decline in faith formation. He advised parents to secure the future by giving their children a proper moral upbringing. “Today, the quest for materialism has beclouded the minds of some parents to the extent that they have little or no time for their children. Many prefer their jobs and businesses to having time to train their children. This has made the young ones prone to self-training to fill the parental gap. Teaching of basic Catholic family prayers and upbringing has been replaced by some families with Pentecostal lifestyles and modes of prayer. Some of the children have also developed immoral lifestyles and an excessive quest for money,” the bishop lamented. He encouraged families to cultivate regular family prayers, devote more time to teaching their children basic prayers and Christian values, participate in the sacraments, and study the catechism.
The bishop, therefore, appealed to priests, catechists, and parents to work together in promoting a renewed culture of catechesis, expressing hope that greater attention to faith formation would help young people deepen their relationship with Christ and become active members of the Church. He urged priests, parents, and catechists to renew their commitment towards this apostolate, especially in the faith formation of the young people in Ahiara Diocese, so that they can grow in knowledge, understanding, and practice of their faith.
