In dominico agro
In dominico agro ("On the Lord's Field") is an encyclical from Pope Clement XIII. which was published June 14, 1761. It is subtitled about instruction in the faith and is addressed to the bishops.
Starting from the parable about the seed that falls on good soil, the Pope writes about the task given by Jesus Christ himself to the apostles to instruct the faithful in the teaching of the Catholic Church and to protect the faith. Believers, especially those who are simple or uneducated, should be kept away from narrow and dangerous paths on which they could hardly set foot in front of the other without stumbling. The sheep should also not be led to pasture by the shepherds on impassable paths. The believers, on the other hand, should obey the instructions of the chief shepherds and not strive beyond what is due to them; but they should strive for prudence. ( Rom 12.3 EU ).
Referring to the earlier Popes, who clearly understood this, the Pope refers to the Roman Catechism , which reproduces all the teaching of the Church that the faithful should know and at the same time only contains what is necessary for their salvation. Clement XIII. announced that this catechism would be translated into several languages. In this context, the Pope suggested that the priests be encouraged to study the catechism again. He strengthened the Catholic faith and believers in the teaching of the church, which is the pillar and foundation of truth ( 1 Tim 3:15 EU ).
