Diocese of Salt Lake City commissions 31 Worthy and Suitable Catechists

Bishop Oscar A. Solis commissioned 31 Worthy and Suitable Catechists on Sept. 19 to administer minor rites for the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA). These lay ministers will assist those joining or completing their initiation into the Catholic Church.

The commissioning took place during the 2026 Utah Catholic Conference in Draper, Utah. Most of the 31 catechists are already experienced lay church leaders or certified catechists. They currently represent 25 parishes within the Diocese of Salt Lake City.

John Valdez, the OCIA coordinator at St. James the Just Parish in Ogden, said the diocese is the first in the United States to implement this specific lay ministry role. Bishop Solis stated that the catechists will help prepare catechumens and Catholics to receive the sacraments of initiation through teaching and pastoral accompaniment.