Madrid, 9th April 2008 (CNA) - Children between the ages of 6 and 10 in Spain can now learn the basics of the Catholic faith with a new tool appropriate for today’s society.  The Bishops’ Conference of Spain has published a new catechism entitled, “Jesus is Lord,” which is aimed at kids who have made their First Communion.

According to the conference, the catechism “is intended for families, priests, catechists and those responsible for teaching ministry, in their mission to hand the faith on to children.”

In a letter to children about the new catechism, the bishops said it is “more than a book, it is a treasure, as it contains the Good News that the Church teaches us: God has given us his love through his only Son, Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary.  The bishops give you this catechism.  Guard its teachings in your hearts.  Read it attentively in your families and with your teachers.”

Bishop Javier Salinas, president of the subcommittee on Catechesis of the Bishops’ Conference of Spain, explained that catechesis has everything to do with society, since by passing on “a series of values and truths of the faith we are educating people with elements that make them capable of being good citizens: respectful, supportive, caring of others, and capable of confronting difficulties.”

The new catechism takes the place of one published in 1982 and is based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church promulgated in 1992 by Pope John Paul II.