The failure can be tied to what they teach as well as what they fail to teach: A true understanding of the Sacraments; A well-presented history of the Faith; An understanding of the Ten commandments and the Beatitudes which leads to a fulfilling understanding of why our Catechism says what it says. Instruction in the Virtues. Instuction in the Deadly Sins. Catholic Apologetics. In short, the catechism of the last twenty five years, post Vatican Two, post Baltimore Catechism, if done following the guidelines of the Archdiocese of New York and other Archdiocese, reads like a disinformation campaign!
I will guess berned that you are under the age of forty and were not instructed in the old Baltimore Catechism, same for your friends and family. Additionally, goldenstategirl, we need to understand why we have the situation we have and extend a little charity, for they know not why they do what they do. My challenge to you berned is this: go out and get a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic church issued by John Paul 2nd in 1996. Read it and you will have a true understanding of the Catholic Church, and not what a bunch of dissident Bishops wanted you to think. It's the same analogy as reading the Constitution and the writings of the founding fathers to get a true sense of what was intended as opposed to relying on the NEA and whatever reading material they now think relevant. Give it a shot and keep an open mind. V's wife.