PEORIA, 28 (NE) Bishop John J. Myers of Peoria recently announced the establishment of an ongoing "Diocesan Catechetical Institute," aiming at a renewal in the way teachers of the Catholic faith -in its schools, religious education programs, and other ministries- are trained, certified, updated, and recruited. "It is my hope and firm belief that this Institute will build the kind of pool of dedicated and effective teachers and catechists which is the dream of every director, principal, and pastor," wrote Bishop Myers in a recent letter to all pastors and administrators of religious education programs.

    The institute, to be dedicated to St. John Bosco, will have as its mission the preparation and formation of catechists in the deep riches of the faith. "We expect to raise up a veritable army of teachers and catechists who are able to effect the kind of catechetical renewal which the Church is not only calling for, but anticipating," wrote Bishop Myers. The project of establishing an institute was presented by Bishop Myers for the first time in a 1993 Pastoral Letter. With the title, "To Reach Full Knowledge of the Truth," the letter regarding religious education stressed the urgent need to renew the teaching of religion in the diocese.