“They will be appointed by the bishop to celebrate some of the minor rites of OCIA. Once commissioned, they will be known as ‘Worthy and Suitable Catechists.’ “
From the Diocese of Salt Lake City:
The Christian initiation of adults in the Diocese of Salt Lake City is getting a boost from a groundbreaking initiative of Bishop Oscar Solis called the Worthy and Suitable Catechist appointment process. It is a first for our diocese and we believe it is a first among dioceses in the United States.
Over the past few months, 30 lay ministers were nominated by their pastors and are being trained by the Office of Worship. Soon they will be appointed by the bishop to celebrate some of the minor rites of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA). Once they are commissioned by Bishop Solis during the closing ceremony of the Utah Catholic Conference, they will be known as “Worthy and Suitable Catechists.”
The rites they will be authorized to lead are powerful expressions of our faith. They are an encounter with Christ. They transform seekers and they transform the assembly by their witness. It is liturgical law that we celebrate these rites during the period called the Catechumenate – when people are learning about the faith and preparing to be baptized and fully initiated into the Church.
At present, liturgical law only allows priests and deacons to preside over the special blessings and minor exorcisms of the catechumenate period of formation for unbaptized adults seeking to be members of the Church. However, the law also offers a way for bishops to depute or appoint experienced OCIA catechists with the authority to preside.
With the shortage of priests and deacons in our diocese, lay ministers are essential. Most of our OCIA coordinators are already lay ecclesial ministers who, with the permission of their pastors, are leading prayers and catechetical teams. With this additional training and commissioning they will be able to provide even greater support to pastors and all who are on the journey of faith.
Their ministry in the OCIA is all about helping people develop a living relationship with Jesus Christ, preparing them for initiation and incorporating them into the parish community and life of the Church. The most important aspect of their ministry is discernment for signs of spiritual growth and for obstacles which might get in the way.
When they observe a Catechumen exhibiting fears, feelings of unworthiness, or even family opposition, then Worthy and Suitable Catechists are able to administer one of 11 special prayers called minor exorcisms to strengthen them, to help them recognize the influence of sin, and to direct their hearts to God.
The announcement goes on to say that these lay catechists will be able to “administer one of 11 special prayers called minor exorcisms to strengthen [Catechumens], to help them recognize the influence of sin, and to direct their hearts to God.”
