Today more than ever before, lay persons are being asked to share in the catechetical ministry of the Catholic Church by serving as catechetical leaders, catechists, and religious education board members. This handbook is designed to provide catechetical leaders and others involved in parish religious education with essential information about civil law and its impact on church institutions and programs. Part 1 covers issues related to catechists' professional roles, including religious education and the U.S. Constitution, legal responsibility, copyright law, child abuse, sexual harassment, and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Issues related to direct contact with students are highlighted in part 2, including student rights, search and seizure, student activities, confidential information, defamation of character, and catechist-student relationships. Basic administrative issues--handbook development, boards of religious education, contracts, documentation of staff behaviors, and administrative liability insurance--are covered in the third part. Part 4 offers practical suggestions for holding inservice sessions with catechists, staff, and board members. (LMI)