Urban Clergy in Zadar Serving as Teachers and Catechists during the 18th Century

Abstract

This paper explores the educational and catechetical contributions of Zadar’s clergy during the 18th century, with a focus on the catechetical manuals available for instructing children and young people in the broader Croatian region. The study suggests that catechization during this period was applied gradually, adapted to the age, social status, and gender of the learners. It can be roughly divided into three stages: the catechesis of children, adolescents, and adults. Corresponding to these divisions, catechist priests were appointed for each age group based on their level of education and pastoral experi-ence. Clergy involved in the educational and catechetical processes in the communes of Zadar and Pag primarily acquired their foundational knowledge at local educational institutions, with many pursuing further training at Italian higher education institutions across the peninsula. A smaller number obtained higher academic degrees from the Dominican General University in Zadar. The paper also presents original archival data confirming that, alongside urban clergy, lay teachers actively participated in the educational and catechetical efforts in the Zadar commune, in accordance with ecclesiastical norms and episcopal permits.