The Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD)

The Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) was founded in 1536 in Milan, Italy, and has a long history of being recommended by Popes and Vatican Congregations to address the perennial need for evangelisation, renewal (re-evangelistion) and catechesis.

In the late 1950s, the CCD was established in Sydney, Australia, on the authority of the Catholic Archbishop of Sydney as an autonomous, not-for-profit organisation for the purpose of providing religious education and Christian formation for Catholic children in government (public) schools. The CCD was then established in Catholic dioceses around Australia.

Over the past 60 years, CCD Sydney has taught over 1 million Catholic children in public schools. Currently 28,000 children are taught every week in some 400 schools across Sydney. This work is a direct result of the tireless efforts and selfless generosity of 1,900 dedicated people we call catechists and over 400 High School Catechists from the Sydney Catholic Schools.

The Past is Today’s Future

On 26 June 1957, Cardinal Gilroy officially called for the establishment of the CCD. The CCD has its origins in Milan, Italy, when, in 1536, a priest founded the Society of Christian Doctrine to enable lay people to help catechise other lay people. In 1562 in Rome, this initiative was first called the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; and, in 1571, the Pope recommended the Confraternity be established so that every Parish may have lay people to teach on matters about the Catholic faith. This universal need for catechesis remains today.

CCD Supports Parishes

CCD helps Parishes to seek and support Catechist volunteers to show our children, whose families have enrolled them in the Government education system, how to pray and live a Christ-like life.

In addition, CCD Sydney trains and supports Catholic High School Student Catechists who, in seeking to understand and express faith, assist with providing catechesis to their younger peers in public schools; and the CCD is also continuing to develop its resources and support for Catechists involved with Parish sacramental preparation programs.

Support is found but not limited to the following:

  • Recruitment of potential volunteer catechists
  • Training and development of catechists via 3 levels of SRE training courses
  • Production of the Christ Our Light and Life SRE curriculum
  • Production of the Gratia Series Sacramental Program
  • Supply and distribution of curriculum, sacramental and other resources and support materials via the Mustard Seed Bookshop
  • Represent and assist Parish catechists/coordinators at State school level
  • Liaison with relevant Government agencies in regards to legislative, policy and procedural compliance requirements

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