1. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION IN CROATIA

2. On religions in Croatia A 2001 survey assessed the religious makeup of Croatia as 90% Roman Catholic, 4% Christian, 0.5% Christian Other, 1.5% Muslim and other (including no religion)4%. Religion is extremely important to people in Croatia and as such very few people define themselves as atheist. The majority of Croatia identify themselves with the Catholic religion and are extremely proud of this identify. A recent survey suggested that over 30% attend mass on a weekly basis and church services are usually full.

3. Confessional religious education in Europe Confessional religious education exists in Austria, Belgium, Italy, Ireland, Croatia, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Finland, Romania. In Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Serbia, whilst in Montenegro and Macedonia confessional religious education is an elective subject, but outside the school timetable. Catholic religious instruction in schools in many European countries is regulated by the concordat, or via the agreement between individual States and Vatican.

4. The catholic catechism The Catholic catechism is divided into school (elective subject in schools) and the parish, and he acquired knowledge of the truths of the Catholic Church. For religious education in schools handle all activities organized according to the CNES, and the parish religious education or parish catechesis focused on gaining experience of life in faith in the respective parish community. At the parish religious education is preparing for the sacraments. Catholic religious instruction in Croatia was introduced as an optional subject in primary and compulsory elective subject in high school (instead can choose the Ethics), and takes place according to a specific program approved by the Croatian Bishops' Conference and Ministry of Education and Sports. Teach him a graduate degree catechists and theologians who have passed the exam and have a mandate Bishop. The Catholic catechism is held in pre-school institutions Education.

5. The Catholic catechism in parishes Parish religious education is conceived as an education in faith where believers of all ages (preschool children, elementary school, high school, students, adults, seniors) provides a vivid experience of faith. Children's religious education in practice often takes place under the aspect of preparation for the sacraments (First Communion, of Confirmation). First communion normally refers to the children aged ten, whilst the Confirmation is usually received at the age of 15-16 /second grade of secondary schools in Croatia/.

6. First communion and the confirmation

7. IT’S BOTH IN SCHOOL AND IN CHURCH The religious education promotes and teaches about Christian values which are truly human, such as mutual respect, dialogue, ecumenism, responsibility, solidarity; in other words: it spreads the idea of basic human values.