The catechetical activity of the laity also has a proper character which is due to their condition in the Church: "their secular character is proper and peculiar to the laity". 182LG 31. ChL 15 contains a detailed analysis of the ?secular character' of the lay faithful. The laity engage in catechesis on the basis of their insertion in the world, sharing all the demands of humanity and bringing to the transmission of the Gospel specific sensitivity and nuances: "this evangelization, that is, the proclamation of Christ by word and the testimony of life, acquires a specific property and peculiar efficacy because it is accomplished in the ordinary circumstances of the world". 183LG 35. Indeed by sharing the same form of life as those whom they catechize, lay catechists have a special sensitivity for incarnating the Gospel in the concrete life of men and women. Catechumens and those receiving catechesis can find in them a Christian model for their future as believers.
The vocation of the laity to catechesis springs from the sacrament of Baptism. It is strengthened by the sacrament of Confirmation. Through the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation they participate in the "priestly, prophetic and kingly ministry of Christ". 184AA 2b. cf. Rituale Romanum, Ordo Baptisimi Parvulorum, n. 62, Editio Typica, Typis Polyglottis Vaticanis 1969; RCIA 224. In addition to the common vocation of the apostolate, some lay people feel called interiorly by God to assume the service of catechist. The Church awakens and discerns this divine vocation and confers the mission to catechize. The Lord Jesus invites men and women, in a special way, to follow him, teacher and formator of disciples. This personal call of Jesus Christ and its relationship to him are the true moving forces of catechetical activity. "From this loving knowledge of Christ springs the desire to proclaim him, to 'evangelize,' and to lead others to the 'Yes' of faith in Jesus Christ". 185CCC 429. To feel called to be a catechist and to receive this mission from the Church acquires different levels of dedication inaccordance with the particular characteristics of individuals. At times the catechist can collaborate in the service of catechesis over a limited period or purely on an occasional basis, but it is always a valuable service and a worthy collaboration. The importance of the ministry of catechesis, however, would suggest that there should be in a Diocese a certain number of religious and laity publicly recognized and permanently dedicated to catechesis who, in communion with the priests and the Bishop, give to this diocesan service that ecclesial form which is proper to it. 186The Code of Canon Law establishes that ecclesiastical authority may officially entrust an office or an ecclesial service to the laity, prescinding from the fact that this service is or is not a formally instituted non-ordained ministry: "lay people, who are found to be suitable, are capable of being admitted by the sacred pastors to those ecclesiastical offices and functions which, in accordance with the provisions of law, they can discharge" (CIC 228 § 1); cf. EN 73; ChL 23. Various types of catechists particularly necessary today
The figure of the catechist in the Church, has different modes, just as, the needs of catechesis are varied. – "The catechists in missionary countries", 187CT 66b; cf. GCM. to whom this title is applied in a special way: "Churches that are flourishing today would not have been built up without them". 188CT 66b. There are those who have the "specific responsibility for catechesis"; 189GCM 4. and there are those who collaborate in various forms of apostolate. 190Ibid. – In some Churches of ancient Christian tradition but where there is a shortage of clergy, there is need for catechists in some way analogous to those of missionary countries. This requires confronting urgent needs: the community animation of small rural populations deprived of the constant presence of a priest, the helpfulness of a missionary presence "in areas of large cities". 191CT 45; cf. RM 37, ab, par. 2. – In countries of Christian tradition which require a "new evangelization" 192RM 33. the catechist for young people and the catechist for adults become indispensable, in promoting the process of initiatory catechesis. The catechists must provide for continuing catechesis. In such tasks the role of the priest is equally fundamental. – The catechist for children and adolescents continues to be indispensable. This catechist has the delicate mission of giving "the first notions of catechism and preparation for the sacrament of Penance, for First Communion and Confirmation". 193CT 66a. This responsibility is all the more pressing today if children and adolescents "do not receive adequate religious formation within the family". 194Ibid.; cf. CT 42. – A catechist who must also be formed is the catechist for pre-sacramental encounter, 195Cf. DCG (1971) 96. for adults on occasions such as the Baptism or the First Holy Communion of their children or the celebration of the sacrament of Matrimony. It is a specific and original task comprising the welcome of the faithful, of primary proclamation to them and of accompanying them on the journey of faith. – Other catechists urgently needed in delicate human situations include catechists for the old 196Cf. CT 45; cf. DCG (1971) 95. who need a presentation of the Gospel adapted to their condition; for handicapped or disabled people who require a special pedagogy, 197Cf. DCG (1971) 91; cf. CT 41. in addition to their total integration into the community; for migrants and those marginalized by the evolution of modern society. 198CT 45a. – Other types of catechists may also be advisable. Every local Church, by analysing her own cultural and religious situation, will discover her own needs and will realistically foster those kinds of catechists which she needs. The organization and orientation of the formation of catechists is a fundamental responsibility.