The central responsibility for catechesis in territories of so-called common law has been entrusted to the Sacred Congregation for the Clergy (Second Office). This Congregation has the task of working out, of co-ordinating, and of moderating matters that have to do with promoting the preaching of the word of God and the works of the apostolate; if also has the task of publishing information, and of promoting, as much as possible, collaboration among the various countries. This Office assists the development of and gives guidance to offices that are in charge of catechesis. If reviews and approves catechetical directories, catechisms, and programs for preaching the word of God produced by Conferences of Bishops. it encourages national catechetical congresses, or it approves or calls international ones (cf. Const. Apost., Regimini Ecclesiae universae, n. 69; Letter of the Secretariat of State, August 20, 1969, N. 143741).
The Supreme Pontiff, PAUL VI, by a letter of his Secretariat of State, n. 177335, dated March 18, 1971, approved this General Directory together with the Addendum, confirmed if by his authority and ordered if to be published.
Rome, April 11, 1971, Feast of the Resurrection of Our Lord.
John J. Cardinal Wright, Prefect
Pietro Paiazzini, Secretary