Catechesis and Christian Doctrine in the Iberian Parishes of the Late Middle Ages and Early Modern Period

Abstract

This contribution is an introduction to the study of the teaching of the Christian doctrine and catechetical instruction in the Iberian parishes from the Fourth Lateran Council to the lS•h century- through the synodal constitutions of the different Iberian dioceses. My main purpose, in this contribution, is merely to provide a brief introduction or overview and some examples to shed some light on the importance and possibilities synodal constitutions have for studying catechetical instruction in ~Iedie,·al and Early Modern Iberian parishes. Catechetical instruction ,,·as. Jmong other things, a means to share knowledge, create identity, and fight :.1p stasy. heresy, and infidelity. Although this contribution is a brief introduction. I hope that, through the few examples I will present, it \viii be possible to note the implications that these examples of catecheticJl instruction h~n·e f r understanding many other important issues of .Nledie,·al and Early ~lodern Europe, such as memorization, orality, exegesis. \\·riting, and liter.tey.