By Fr Soroj Mullick SDB
The long-awaited and updated 3rd Directory for Catechesis (henceforth DC) in the history of the modern Church after the Vatican Council II, released on June 25, 2020, first time ever under the direction of the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization, called for a “fresh and focused tool” that will ‘enhance’ evangelization. It arrives at a timely moment as the universal Church seeks to re-evangelize and renew Christian faith in the local churches especially in the face of the West and Europe’s phenomenal ‘loss’ of Catholic faith and its struggle through a pandemic-ridden world.
It presents fundamental theological-pastoral principles for catechesis while responding to the current social conditions and cultural forces that shape the Church’s communication of the living mystery of God today. With a set of directives to all those involved in catechesis and ‘teach’ the Catholic faith, its publication is a significant moment in the Church’s history, offering opportunity for all to live more deeply the mission “to echo” the faith.
These how-to guidelines for the Church’s mission of proclaiming the Gospel through catechesis and evangelization are universal norms to guide pastors and catechists in the work of evangelization. They are important for bishops, who are the primary catechists, for use in their local dioceses and are indispensable for those responsible for faith formation (pastors, parish priests, deacons, lay, religious, catechism teachers) in dioceses, parishes and schools, and in the formation of ‘catechists’ (seminary rectors, directors of Catechetical and lay-formation Centres, permanent diaconate, etc.)
Two papal phrases frame the text of the DC – “The Church exists to evangelize,” (Paul VI) and “I am a mission,” (Pope Francis). While proposing three major principles of action – witnessing, mercy and dialogue – the DC highlights the close link between evangelization and catechesis; that every baptized person has a missionary vocation to find innovative ways of communicating the faith with commitment and responsibility.
In a digital age marked by tremendous social and cultural challenges, in which the field of catechesis is left behind, the DC focuses on “centrality of the Church’s mission of bringing the world to an authentic encounter with Christ, an encounter that inspires and propels people as witnesses for the faith.” It lists the goals and essential elements of catechesis, meant to guide the drafting of national/diocesan catechisms and catechetical directories, taking into account the local cultures, and the needs of the different ages and stages of life. Comprehensively, therefore, the DC guides the proclamation of the Gospel by the Christian faithful to people of all ages and in all seasons of life.
With the aim of a catechetical renewal in Christian communities, it places faith education and formation of catechetical teachers within the realm of evangelization, while offering guidelines for local directories and catechisms as a sound point of reference for instruction. As the Catholic Church embarks on the evangelizing mission of teaching the Christian faith, Bishop Barron states: “With a vision that brings the content of these beautiful resources alive in the context of contemporary society, the directory invites the Christian faithful to be courageous witnesses of Jesus Christ in the family, in the workplace and in the wider community.
In a series of articles the author makes an overview of the DC based on the indicated two specific needs: the great challenge of digital culture; and then, at a more theological and ecclesial level, the need to follow up on the synodal paths undertaken since 15 years. Reviewing the old and new contents in an updated form, the paper aims to elaborate on the “new problems that the Church is called to live”, and in particular on the training in the life of faith while facing the phenomenon of digital and globalized cultures along with other issues, (gender, ecology, migrants, social justice etc.) starting from the first announcement. Therefore confirming with the DC on priorities given to adult catechumenate, training of catechists and the urgency to “identify the new languages with which to communicate the faith”, the author tries to make some critical observations along with some proposals and a practical methodology for catechesis.
The Premise: Kerygma as the Catechetical Core within Digital Culture
Evangelisation, that occupies the primary place in the life of the Church, is the task that Christ has entrusted his Church with in order to be, in this digital age, the faithful announcement of his Gospel. In this sense, Catechesis garbs on “the very characteristics of evangelization,” but does not substitute it. “In this relationship, the primacy belongs to evangelization not to catechesis.” In the Preface of DC it is stated, “The criterion that prompted the reflection on and production of this Directory finds its basis in the words of Pope Francis: ‘we have rediscovered the fundamental role of the first announcement or kerygma, which needs to be the center of all evangelizing activity and all efforts at Church renewal.’ ”
In the challenges faced by the globalized and self-imposed digital culture that determines its development, the Church leaders responsible for the faith formation should not shun responsibility. Unlike the past, when culture was geographically limited, the digital culture is entwined with the ongoing globalisation wherein the electronic media of communications manifest a radical behavioral transformation that influence the formation of personal identity and interpersonal relations.
The fast linguistic change, behavioural relations along with a new model of communication and formation, inevitably affect the Church’s educational/pedagogical ministry. Beyond the Church’s limited presence in the social and electronic media, the digital culture goes “to the root of the anthropological question which is decisive in every formative context and which cannot prescind from truth and freedom.”
This calls in question the adequacy of the Church’s faith formation proposals and criteria, in order to gauge her “competence” over humanity and her claim to universal truth. Besides, as the Preface of DC explains, “All Christian formation consists of entering more deeply into the kerygma, which is reflected in and constantly illumines, the work of catechesis, thereby enabling us to understand more fully the significance of every subject which the latter treats. It is the message capable of responding to the desire for the infinite which abides in every human heart.” The DC is formulated in support of a kerygmatic catechesis, in which, the Preface continues, the “heart of catechesis is the announcement of the person of Jesus Christ, who surpasses the limits of space and time to present himself to each generation as the novelty offered to reach the meaning of life.”
The fast changing world brought about by the past two accelerated digital decades demands a new DC that would fit in with realism on to the recent cultural developments with apt catechetical requirements. Therefore, the DC presents both the problems inherent in digital culture, and suggests principles and practical paths for catechesis in its local context to follow. The immediate aim of the DC is to help in reformulating, planning and executing national and regional directories, catechism texts and other innovative materials. To ignore this, would make the Church as any other organization, but not the two thousand years old Church of Christ.
Simplified Systematic Structure and Synodal Organization
It is tantamount to rethink with courage and creativity the objectives, structures, style and methods of evangelization through catechesis; walking together as partners, networking, coordinating, fostering educational-pastoral discernment (cf. Evangelii Gaudium, 33) thus being inflamed by missionary zeal – a ‘new normal’ for an evangelizing catechesis. Hence, almost 40 years after the publication of DGC and 25 years after that of GDC the present DC is compiled and designed with a systematic structure that helps to grasp the fundamental content and guidelines.
The 300-page DC, unlike the GDC (1997) consists of 3 main parts, with four chapters each. Part one focuses on the relationship between catechesis and the Church’s mission of evangelization, with chapters on divine revelation and its transmission in the Church; the identity of catechesis (goals, tasks and sources); the identity and vocation of catechists and his training; and formation of those who hand on the Faith. It analyzes the nature of the catechism in its intimate relationship with kerygma. A focus is dedicated to de facto catechists: parents and grandparents.
The second part, focuses on the process of catechesis, containing chapters on the pedagogy of Faith (based on the divine pedagogy) and therefore of catechism. In this context, the chapter on the CCC is placed and its use in catechesis. The topic of methodology in the catechism is then addressed. A special attention is paid to the peculiar elements: that of the catechumenate through which the DC helps catechists to understand the complexity of catechistic action and the recipients of catechesis at different stages and circumstances in life.
The third part, Catechesis in Particular Churches, dedicated to the Parish, whose missionary creativity is indispensable to continue to be the presence and closeness of the Church to the daily life of people, centers around various expressions of the Christian community where actually catechesis takes place, as well as the dialogue between catechesis and daily life. The chapters consists of: the role of the Christian community in catechesis (parishes, association, movements, Catholic Schools, etc.); the way catechesis confronts current cultural contexts, trends and ideas; the role of catechesis in inculturation of the Faith; and the roles of the structures that oversee catechesis, (Holy See, Episcopal Conferences, dioceses, etc.). Finally, there is the most innovative part of the DC, dedicated to catechism in the face of contemporary cultural scenarios: today’s catechism to be effective must necessarily make its own the scientific mentality and a digital culture.
Formation of Catechists as Missionary Disciples
The very first part, “Catechesis in the evangelizing mission of the Church”, treats the formation of catechists, because in order to be credible witnesses of the faith, catechists have to be “catechized before being catechists.” Imbibing a missionary spirituality as an antidote from “sterile pastoral fatigue” the catechist engages in service with dedication and integrity. They are asked to be vigilant while catechising “so that absolute protection is guaranteed to every person, particularly to minors and vulnerable person” and avoid any type of abuse – sexual, power or spiritual. While recognising the “contribution of women to catechesis” the DC calls for a ‘kerygmatic catechesis’ which demands that the catechists be missionary disciples, whose announcement of the Gospel leads to the conversion of hearts and minds, which manifest that “missionary impulse capable of transforming everything” with the power of the Spirit (EG 27).
There is the focus on the identity and formation of catechists as “experts in the art of accompaniment” and “in humanity”, and as the living face of the Church’s catechetical efforts. A renewal of the Church is linked inextricably to a renewal of catechesis made possible by vibrant, ongoing catechist formation. By responding to the universal call to holiness catechists become the “saints next door,” (Pope Francis).
Besides, the DC provides fundamental elements to be highlighted by catechists in their teaching, including that “God is the initial and final reference of life, from his conception to natural death.” That, “The person is always unity of spirit and body; science is at the service of the person; life must be accepted in any condition, because it is redeemed by the paschal mystery of Jesus Christ”. The DC too notes that catechists as credible witnesses of the faith should promote education rooted in faith and Christian morality in the light of the teachings of the Church. Additionally, catechists must be trained in the use of art and beauty in order to keep the mystery of faith united, “while articulating it in the different phases of expression” (theology, liturgy, charity).
Fr. Soroj Mullick, SDB is a Salesian priest from the Kolkata Province. He has a Licentiate in Catechetics and a Doctorate (Christian Education) from UPS, Italy. He has number of years of teaching experience in college and in the formation of future priests. Besides, he has written number of research papers and articles, and has 25 years of Ministry in India and abroad as Educator, Formator, Retreat Preacher, Editor and engaged in School, Parish Catechetical & Youth Ministry. He is now an assistant priest in Bandel Basilica, rendering pastoral and catechetical ministry to the parishioners and to the pilgrims. He can be contacted at [email protected].