The experience of increasing numbers of children of catechetical age (7 – 17 approx) seeking initiation in the church causes parish clergy and catechists to look for structures that are faithful to general principles of the catechumenate and at the same time are sensitive to the circumstances of children.

The catechumenate for children of catechetical age is the order by which children become members of the church. It is a part of a larger repertory of rituals contained in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), which guides the church in receiving new members.

It is for children not baptized as infants; children who have attained the use of reason and are of catechetical age; children presented by their parents or guardians or who present themselves with parental permission; children capable of receiving a personal faith and recognizing an obligation of conscience; children dependent on their parents or guardians and influenced by their companions. (RCIA 252)

A working party has been established from the RCIA National Network in order to review the situation of the RCIC in England & Wales and to develop guidelines and resources.
Further information about this will be released later in the year.

There are some existing resources available to support this ministry and these can be downloaded here