S. Skapo g. 4
LT-01122 Vilnius
https://www.lkuc.lt/
Director – Rev. Kęstutis SMILGEVIČIUS
Lithuanian Catholic Education Center
- examines the situation of the catechetical work in Lithuania,
- oversees the preparation and publishing of learning programs, religious textbooks and other learning materials,
- maintains relations and cooperates with the governmental organizations of educational management,
- supervises the preparation and spiritual growth of the specialists of religious education,
- coordinates the activities of the diocesan catechetical centers,
- mediates and helps the diocesan catechetical centers:
- in organizing and coordinating teaching of religion,
- preparing and carrying out the qualification refresher programs for religion teachers,
- preparing pedagogues for attestation,
- presenting catechetical experience of Lithuanian and foreign specialists.
Lithuanian Catholic Education Center cooperates with diocesan catechetical centers, Lithuanian Ministry of Education, educational institutions preparing specialists of catechetics, educational centers for teachers and the Center of the Professional Development of Pedagogues.
History
In 1989 the Lithuanian Catholic Interdiocesan Catechetical Commission was established with the purpose of organizing the teaching of religion in Lithuanian public schools.
In 1991 the Lithuanian Catholic Interdiocesan Catechetical Commission established the Lithuanian Catechetical Center with the authority to organize and coordinate catechesis of children and youth.
For the preparation of specialists in 1993 the Catechetical College was established within the structure of the faculty of Theology of the Kaunas Interdiocesan Seminary. In 1999 it became an independent Catechetical College and was registered in the Ministry of Education as a governmental school of two founders – Lithuanian Catechetical Center and Lithuanian Ministry of Education – with the purpose of preparing parish catechists and teachers of religion for primary and secondary schools.
In 1994-2002 the Publishing House of Lithuanian Catechetical Center has been functioning whose purpose was to prepare, publish and distribute learning materials for religious education.
In 1997 all functions, rights and legal obligations of the Interdiocesan Catechetical Commission have passed to Lithuanian Catechetical Center as the legal successor of the said Commission.
From 1998 until 2002 the Lithuanian Catechetical Center was publishing a bulletin for Catholic pedagogues, whose title was “Sėjėjas” (Sower) (1998-2000), then renamed in "Žodžio versmės" (Springs of the Word). In 1998-2009 the Lithuanian Catechetical Center has been in charge of St. Casimir's bookshop in Kaunas.
In March 2007 the headquarters of the Lithuanian Catechetical Center have been transferred to Vilnius.
On February 19, 2021 Lithuanian Catechetical Center was reorganized into the Lithuanian Catholic Education Center.
