New Directory for Catechesis
released
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| Nun leads a practice for some of the children who wil receive first communion before Pope Francis' in Rakovski, Bulgaria |
The Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization
releases a new Directory for Catechesis, providing guidelines for the Church’s
mission of proclaiming the Gospel through catechesis and evangelization.
By Vatican News
The long-awaited updated Directory for Catechesis was
released in the Vatican on Thursday. It was drafted under the direction of the
Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization. It was approved
by Pope Francis on 23 March - the liturgical memorial of Saint Turibius of
Mongrovejo, a 16th century saint who gave a strong impetus to
evangelization and catechesis. This latest edition comes as a follow-up to the
“General Catechetical Directory” of 1971, and the “General Directory for
Catechesis” of 1997 both of which were issued by the Congregation for Clergy.
The new Directory seeks to highlight the close link
between evangelization and catechesis. It underlines that every baptized person
is a missionary called to find new ways of communicating the faith with
commitment and responsibility. In this regard, the new Directory proposes three
major principles of action: Witnessing, Mercy and Dialogue. The new
Directory containing over 300 pages, and is made up of 3 parts divided into 12
chapters.
Formation of Catechists
The first part, entitled “Catechesis in the evangelizing
mission of the Church”, treats the formation of catechists.
The Directory points out that in order to be credible
witnesses of the faith, catechists have to be “catechized before being
catechists.” This involves working with gratuitousness, dedication and
integrity, according to a missionary spirituality that is an antidote from
“sterile pastoral fatigue”.
Catechists are also called to be vigilant in performing
their specific task “so that absolute protection is guaranteed to every person,
particularly to minors and vulnerable person.”
Catechetical process
The second part - “The process of catechesis” - underscores
the importance of a “profound and effective communicative model”. It proposes
the use of art through the contemplation of beauty as a means of connecting
with God, and sacred music as a way of instilling the desire for God in the
heart of people.
The role of the family also comes to the fore. There those
being evangelized can live the faith in a simple and spontaneous way. It is
also where people can receive Christian education in a humble and compassionate
manner.
In the face of new family scenarios in contemporary
society, Christians are called to accompany others with closeness, listening and
understanding in order to restore hope and trust to all.
A culture of inclusion
The Directory also highlights the importance of “welcoming
and recognizing” the differently-abled. It stresses that they are witnesses to
the essential truths of human life and are to be welcomed as a great gift.
Their families also are deserving of “respect and admiration”.
In the same way, catechesis should focus on acceptance,
trust and solidarity for migrants, who, far from their homeland, may
experience a crisis of faith. Migrants are to be supported in the fight against
prejudices and the serious dangers they may face, such as human trafficking.
Preferential option for the poor, catechesis for prisoners
The Directory calls for attention to be given to prisons
describing them as an “authentic mission land”. It proposes that for prisoners,
catechesis should be the proclamation of salvation in Christ, as well as caring
listening which shows the maternal face of the Church.
As regards the poor, catechesis should educate people about
evangelical poverty. It should also promote a culture of fraternity and foster
indignation among for faithful against situations of misery and injustice
suffered by the poor.
Parishes, schools and Church associations
The third part, entitled “Catechesis in Particular
Churches”, is dedicated to catechesis in parishes, ecclesiastical movements and
other Church associations.
Parishes are highlighted as “examples of community
apostolate” which should provide creative catechesis adapted to people’s lived
experience. Other Church associations are also recognized as having “a great
evangelizing capacity” that adds to the “Church's richness”.
Regarding Catholic schools, the Directory proposes a
movement from being "scholastic-institutions" to becoming "scholastic-communities"
of faith with an educational project based on Gospel values. It also notes that
teaching religion is distinct from, but complementary to, catechism.
Stressing that “the religious factor is an existential
dimension that should not be overlooked,” the Directory affirms that “it is the
right of parents and students” to receive an integral formation that takes the
teaching of religion into account.
Cultural and religious pluralism
The Directory points out that ecumenism and interreligious dialogue
with Judaism and Islam is a special area for catechesis. Catechesis must
“encourage the desire for unity” in order for it to be a true instrument of
evangelization.
It calls for a dialogue that combats anti-Semitism, and
promotes peace and justice with Judaism. At the same time, it urges the
faithful to avoid superficial generalizations in order to foster dialogue with
Islam.
In our contemporary context of religious pluralism, the
Directory calls for catechesis that can “deepen and strengthen the identity of
believers”, promoting their missionary impetus through witnessing as well as
“friendly and cordial” dialogue.
Technology and the digital world
The Directory reaffirms that science and technology are at
the service of the person and should be directed towards improving the living
conditions of humanity.
It proposes that catechesis should be directed towards
educating people in the proper use of the digital culture, which has both good
and bad elements. Catechesis should also focus on helping young people
distinguish truth and quality amid the “culture of the instantaneous.”
Other themes highlighted by the Directory include the call
to a “profound ecological conversion”. Catechesis promotes this conversion
through attention to the safeguarding of creation and the avoidance of
consumerism.
It also highlights that catechesis is to inspire labour
according to the Social Doctrine of the Church with special attention to the
defense of the rights of the weakest. In addition, it encourages the
development of catechetical material produced on the local level and
organization at the service of catechesis including the Synod of Bishops and
Episcopal Conferences.
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