The reforms of the liturgy and the sacraments as a consequence of Vatican II have been warmly welcomed and great progress has been made in their fruitful implementation in Australia. However, on the parish level the reforms have been implemented without adequate catechesis. Practices regarding the celebration of baptism, the Mass, and Penance demonstrate this.

The majority of baptisms performed in the parishes are for non-or infrequently practicing couples. The preparation of the children for the reception of Penance, Confirmation and first Holy Communion are consequently dealing with children who have little to no contact with the Church. While the reforms have enriched the way the Mass is celebrated in the parishes, the Mass attendance, especially among the younger faithful continues to decline at a worrying level.

Theological and pastoral responses in Australia are trying to deal with these challenging situations in resonance with the official documents being produced by the various departments of the Roman Curia. Certainly the key to an adequate response lies with priority being given to adult catechesis. This catechesis needs not only to be didactic but also integral in handing on a living experience of Jesus Christ through the sacramental life of the parish. The understanding of what is catechesis is in need of expansion in Australia. It is often reduced to the transmission of information rather than being understood "as a school of faith, an initiation and apprenticeship in the entire Christian life" and "intrinsically bound to every liturgical and sacramental action".

The General Directory for Catechesis of the Congregation for the Clergy calls for priority to be given in the parish to adult catechesis. This catechesis in the parish being in the form of a "post-baptismal catechesis, in the form of a catechumenate, ...presenting again some of the elements from the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults with the purpose of allowing the person to grasp and live the immense, extraordinary richness and responsibility received at Baptism". In the parishes where this call is being practically implemented we are witnessing a return to a full and fruitful participation in the sacramental life, especially amongst the young people. In this context the young people are also rediscovering a profound appreciating for the sacrament of Holy Orders.

1 General Directory for Catechesis, 1997, n.30.

2 ibid, quoting from Catechesi Tradendae (1979), n.23.3 n. 258a