Bishop says many high school catechetical textbooks have deficiencies

Published: 2003-11-11

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The bishop heading the U.S. bishops' Ad Hoc Committee to Oversee the Use of the Catechism criticized the quality of many high school catechetical textbooks currently in wide use throughout the United States. Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes of New Orleans said the ad hoc committee had reviewed 25 high school catechetical texts since mid-2001 and found most lacking in key doctrinal areas. He did not name any specific books or publishers, however. After his remarks outlining some of the deficiencies, two bishops wondered aloud whether the U.S. bishops should publish their own textbook. Archbishop Hughes said the committee had no recommendation yet to offer on whether to develop a high school catechetical series. He noted, though, that as to current suitability, there is not "any one complete high school series from any of the major publishers whose texts are most frequently used in this country."

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