en en en en en en en en en es en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en es en en en en en en en en en en ru en en en en en en en fr en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en es en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en fr en en en en en nl en en fr en en fr en en en en en en en en en en en en en de en sv en en de en en en en en de en en it en en en en en en en en en en en en
A new version of the Directory for Catechesis emphasizes a "kerygmatic" catechism, allowing "each person to discover that it is worth believing"
By Xavier Le Normand | France
The Catholic Church wants to change not only its way of doing catechesis but also its way of looking at catechism.
The Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization on June 25 officially presented a new edition of the Directory for Catechesis. It comes 23 years after the previous version during the pontificate of John Paul II and seven years after Benedict XVI gave this pontifical council responsibility for the catechism.
Previously, catechesis was the purview of the Congregation for the Clergy.
"The criterion that guided the drafting of this Directory for Catechesis is characterized by the desire to deepen the role of catechesis in the dynamics of evangelization," state the new 200-page document, which was still being translated into English as of June 26.
Joel Molinario, director of the pastoral catechesis department at the Institut Catholique in Paris and a contributor to the new directory, said one of the objectives of the text it to "decompartmentalize catechesis from a model of teaching, placing it in the overall plan of a Church whose very vocation is the proclamation of the Gospel".
Leaving time to choose faith
"For too long catechesis has focused on making the contents of the faith known and on the best pedagogical methods by which to reach this end, omitting the most crucial moment which is the act of deciding for faith and the giving of one's assent," said Archbishop Rino Fisichella, president of the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization, at the press conference to launch the new book-like document.
"Evangelizing is not primarily about transmitting doctrine; rather, it is about making Jesus Christ present and proclaiming Him," states the directory.
The authors of the document said it is essential that catechesis undertake "a process of missionary conversion (...), which goes in the direction of evangelization".
The objective is to obtain a "kerygmatic catechesis" that places "the catechetical journey under the primacy of evangelization".
"In short, catechesis is meant to lead to the knowledge of that Christian love which leads those who have embraced it to become evangelizing disciples," added Archbishop Fisichella.
Since the previous edition was published in 1997, the contributions of Benedict XVI and Pope Francis to the Magisterium have made this new version of the Directory inevitable, as have the profound cultural changes that have taken place since then.
"It is urgent to rethink the work of evangelization with new categories and new languages that emphasize its missionary dimension," Fisichella said.
The directory looks particularly at the changes brought by the digital age and warns that if teachers of faith fail "to evaluate these (digital) phenomena correctly" the catechesis "runs the risk of it being insignificant for many people".
"The real question is not about knowing how to use the new technologies for evangelization, but how to become an evangelizing presence on the digital continent," the new document says.
A specific pastoral care for migrants
The world of the Internet is not the only new development taken into account by the directory.
In listing pastoral care according to age or state of life, it looks at migrants, for whom "a specific pastoral care" is needed.
Likewise, the environmental question is given special attention. Catechesis is expected to "help believers become aware that commitment to ecological issues is an integral part of Christian life".
The directory describes the death penalty as "inhuman", reflecting Francis' updating of Church teaching on capital punishment.
"Catechesis should therefore do everything possible to make the Church's teaching in this regard understood and contribute to the creation of a new culture," the directory says.
This insistence is in line with Pope Francis' decision to include in 2018 the "unacceptable" character of this penalty in the catechism of the Catholic Church.
The updating of the document can also be seen in the vigilance required to avoid any type of abuse - sexual, power or spiritual - as well as in the recognition of the "great contribution of women to catechesis".
The directory devotes an important portion to the formation of catechists, who are now described as "experts in the art of accompaniment" and "in humanity".
In particular, it looks "realistically at the heterogeneous family realities, with their lights and shadows, in order to accompany them adequately".
The document affirms that "it is important that through catechesis each person discovers that it is worth believing".
Molinario said this new approach "will change catechetical practices".
It is now up to the national episcopal conferences, dioceses and parishes to find new models.
Get the latest from La Croix International. Sign up to receive our daily newsletter.
You may also like
"It's crucial to open up as many legal migration channels as possible"
The subject of our wildest love
Nun, priest receive St. John XXIII Awards
Vatican releases new Directory for Catechesis
Racism, the sin against creation
SUPPORT LA CROIX INTERNATIONAL’S COMMUNITY OF READERS
Support La Croix International's unique blend of international Catholic journalism by making it available to people in Asia and Africa who can't afford a subscription and often don't have credit cards to pay for it either.
What is a welcoming church?
"I am woman, I am Italian and I am Christian"
Training our hearts to see clearly
It's time to listen!
Cameroon’s bishops refuse to pay ransom to kidnappers
An (almost) incognito pope appears in St. Peter's Basilica
Pope Francis appoints Vatican’s first-ever HR director
Why Pope Francis did not attend Queen Elizabeth’s funeral
Elizabeth II, the “last Christian monarch”, has died
Peace, our common good
For 70 years she “was” the United Kingdom
Cooperation rather than competition
Gorby, Putin and the Common European Home
In sync with all of Creation
The elderly pope's patience is put to the test
Francis continues his push for a humbler, more open Church
The pope and the praying menace
What was the August meeting of cardinals really about?
Is Christian hospitality enough?
"What fraternity does assisted suicide build?"
Live, learn, forget, repeat
When timing is paramount
The pandemic, Christian faith and the perils of kids living in the digital world
"It’s been powerful to watch people enunciate a theology of care for creation"
Laudato si’ guides Indian archdiocese to help fisherfolk
Brazilian bishops stand up for the Yanomami people
The Gaia Man, James Lovelock
Pope calls for a new relationship with God, others and Creation
| Catholic Digest | UCAN | Living in faith | La Croix Africa | La Croix español
About Us | Contact Us| Newsletter Sign-up| Donate| Terms and Conditions| FAQ| La Croix| Confidentiality Policy| Sitemap