PERSPECTIVE SETTING

Globalization

Effects in Civil Society

1. The accelerating or failing local economy
2. Real or imagined threats of to the poor who are left behind
3. Unrestricted media invasion
4. Attacks against of precious values of our Asian culture
5. Youth confused, frustrated, angry over contradictory value systems
6. The degradation of the dignity and freedom of women and children
7. The culture of death; economic development at the expense of cultural minorities
8. The arms race among the poor nations hiding under the mantle of national security

Ecclesial Realities

1. The laity's hunger for God and thirst for mature spirituality
2. The need and demand for more participatory church
3. Inter-religious collaboration, yet without falling into the dead-end of fundamentalism

Catechetical Realities

1. Stress on the communitarian dimension of faith-education through family and BEC's
2. Emphasizing the improve formation of all catechists
3. Providing basic catechetical materials for small group media
4. On-going dialogue with other cultures and religions.

Situationer

• Overall Population of the Philippines in the year 2000: 67.3 M
• Overall Catholic population in the same period: 53.84 M or 80% of the total population.
• Overall School Population in the Elementary and High Schools: 12.38M
• Overall Number of Catechists: 63,778
• Overall Number of Catechists working in the Parish Setting: 16,337
• Overall Number of Catechists teaching in the Public School Setting: 47,441
• Overall Number of Professionally Trained Catechists: 4,464 (7% of the total number of Catechists)
• Overall Number of "Volunteer Catechists": 59,314 (93% of the total number of catechists)
• Number of Catechists, by Category, Teaching Religion in the Elementary Public Schools: Lay: 35,634, Priests, Religious and Seminarians: 1,909
• Number of Catechists, by Category, Teaching Religion in the Public High Schools: Lay: 7,184, Priests, Religious and Seminarians: 1,238
• Number of people involved in the Catechetical Ministry in the Parish    Settings: Lay: 14,428, Priests, Religious and Seminarians: 1,909
• Average Monthly Remuneration Paid by the Parish/Diocese to Full-Time Professional Catechists: Php 4,000 (USA $77.00)
• Average Monthly Remuneration Paid by the Parish/Diocese to "Volunteer Catechists": Transportation Allowance.  No remuneration.
• Average Duration of Religious Instruction per week in Public Elementary Schools: 40 to 50 minutes
• Average Duration of Religious Instruction per week in Public High Schools: 40 minutes
• Materials Most Commonly Used by Catechists in Parish Catechetical     Activities: Bible 97% (of the respondent), Lesson Plan/Syllabi 77.5%, CCC 66.7%, CFC 66.3%
• Main Difficulty Encountered by Catechists in Public Schools: Inadequate Teaching Materials: 28.7%
• Main Difficulty Encountered by Catechists in Parish Settings: Insufficient funding: 36.4%, Lack of Proper Facilities: 20.8%, Lack of Teaching Materials: 19.1%
• Areas needing Immediate attention in the Catechetical Ministry: Funding: 45.7%, Recruitment of New Catechist: 42.5%, Formation of Catechists: 37.5%, Catechetical Materials: 30.9%
• Main Needs in the Area of Catechetical Materials: Religion Textbooks for Students: 44.9%, AV Equipment and Programs: 41.2%, Activity sheets for Students: 35.5%, Reference books for Catechists: 35.3%

            I would like to start my report by providing you a situationer of catechesis in our country, as reflected in two national surveys conducted in the past three years. This situationer supported by surveys was presented to the bishops last July. These two surveys point to two important conclusions:

• first, we are not reaching enough of the youth, i.e. between 61% to 76% of those studying in public schools (and this does not include out-of-school youths),
• second, among those we are reaching, we need to do a better job in our catechesis.
• The first conclusion is from the National Catechetical Survey conducted in 2000 which shows:
• There are 17.6 million[1] students enrolled in Public elementary and high schools in the country.
• There are 47,441 catechists teaching in these public schools, of which we estimate 10%[2] are professionally-trained, while 90% are volunteers.  There is no data on the teaching hours of volunteer catechists, but assuming a 2 to 3-hour/week teaching load (vs. 20 hours for professionally trained), then the above translates to between 61 to 76% of public school students are reached by catechists.[3] 
• DepEd says that only (almost) 5% of the students go to the private catholic schools and 95% go to the non-sectarian private schools or public schools or out-of-school youth.
  • 80% - Public school students
  • 20% - Private catholic schools and non-catholic schools students

            The role of ECCCE is directly linked with the first of the 9 Pastoral Priorities of the Church as envisioned by PCP II, which is that of Integral Faith Formation.  Our aim is to have a faith formation that is discerning and relevant to our current circumstances.  This objective is addressed by the Key Concerns of ECCCE's Strategic Plan for 2001-2003.

Three major shifts in Religious Education

From	To
Stress on School/Student Centered	Life-long process faith formation
Informational overly doctrinal	Experiential contextualized catechesis
Individual sectarian catechesis	Community inter-religious dialogue

From	To
1. A movement from a religious education and catechesis centered on the CHURCH teaching, enshrined in the CREEDS	1. One who insists on the central place of SACRED SCRIPTURE in theology and all forms of Ministry of the Word.
1.a. A basically A-HISTORICAL, static notion of Christian truths and principles.	1.a. There has been a movement to one in which Scripture brought out the HISTORICAL NATURE of the Gospel and where faith is considered as AN ONGOING PROCESS.
2. A movement where the traditional mode of teaching was by question-answer styled catechisms with great emphasis on MEMORIZATION OF CORRECT FORMULAS.	2. One in which the PROBLEMATIC APPROACH moved away from "prepared" question-and-answers to the real questions of the learners; memorized formulas gave way to many NEW TEACHING METHODS.
3. A movement from a DEFENSIVE, APOLOGETIC APPROACH, most common traditional religious education.	3. The Vatican II's "open the windows," to let the SPIRIT OF ECUMENISM and INTER-RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE blow through.
4. A catechesis and religious education dominated by RELIGIOUS CONGREGATIONS.	4. A CATECHESIS now viewed as MISSION OF THE WHOLE CHURCH, arising from Baptism; Vatican II stressed the role of THE LAITY in the many new ministries of the Church.

Now, allow me to present to you a run-down of what our Commission has accomplished vis-à-vis the eight (8) Priority Concerns extracted from our Strategic Plan for 2001 - 2003.

A.  Starting off with the Revision of the National Catholic Directory of the Philippines (NCDP) - with the objective of bringing it in line with the changing pace of our time. updating it, the National Catechism was completed on the 3^rd year of our 3-year Strategic Plan. Gratefully enough, after it was presented to the CBCP Assembly, the book was approved on January 23, 2004. And without much delay our Chairman, Bp. Socrates Villegas brought it to Rome few days after. Right now we are still waiting for the Vatican's approval.

B. Formation of Catechists and Religion Teachers - Once the Revised NCDP is approved by the Vatican, we can proceed with the completion of the two documents namely, the Catechists' Basic Formation Program (CBFP) and the Religion Teachers' Basic Formation Program (RTBFM). Both documents will be essential tools for the formation of our catechists and religion teachers.

C.  On the Dissemination of the actual and correct use of the Catechism for Filipino Catholics / Katesismo para sa mga Pilipinong Katoliko (CFC / KPK) we are proud to report that we practically covered all the regions in the country or a total of 19 seminars conducted from the period March 2001 up to April 2004. Requests are still coming from the dioceses, universities, as well as trans-parochial communities. Copies of the CFC were distributed to the members of the El-Shaddai and Couples for Christ. Bp. Soc Villegas conducted the introductory seminar on the correct use of the CFC to the leaders of these two movements.

While we have organized a Speakers' Bureau, the increasing demand for the seminar encourages us to shift to a more "high-tech form" of dissemination.

D. The development of the Elements of Minimum Learning Competencies (EMLC) in Religion was envisioned to assist authors of Religious Education textbooks, guide school administrators and Diocesan Censors in evaluating textbooks, and as well as aid parish priests and church leaders in preparing Christian Formation programs.

The complete set of the DRAFT was sent to Directors / Heads of Diocesan Catechetical Formation Centers and Heads of Colleges and Universities offering Religious Education for critique.

E. The Relationship between ECCCE and CEAP and the different diocesan catechetical offices and Catechetical Formation Centers is further enhanced with 4 consultation meetings which took place during the first quarter of this year namely:

1)                   The Second National Catechetical Consultation held last January 7-10, 2004 at St. Michael's Retreat House in Antipolo City with 95 registered delegates. 

The objectives of the convention were to evaluate the ECCCE 2000 - 2003 Priorities, and to identify its priority programs and projects for the next three years. A series of workshops aimed at: a) identifying Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats, and b) based on these, nominating the key concerns and priorities of ECCCE and revolving around the theme: Starting Afresh from Christ, Catechesis for the Third Millennium.

2)                   The Second National Superintendents Convention was held on February 17-19, 2004 at the Cebu Midtown Hotel. There were 40 participants who attended the gathering, coming from all regions, except ARMM and CAR.  Bp. Soc Villegas gave the Keynote Address on the theme: "School and Church partnership in Evangelization."

3)                   Likewise, our Chairman had a dialogue with the CEAP Board of Directors on February 26, 2004 which was held at the Maria Antonia Paris Retreat House in Quezon City. There were 17 members who attended the meeting and among the relevant decisions made were: a) a joint ECCCE and CEAP Publication, and b) a Certification of Religious Education Programs (or an Accreditation Program of Religious Education in Catholic Schools, Colleges and Universities).

4)                   And finally, a Forum of Catechetical Centers and Colleges offering Religious Education (Manila Group) was also held last February 24, 2004 at the ACM-MAPSA Boardroom at Paco Catholic School.  There were 22 attendees in the said meeting and relevant concerns which came out were: a) to develop a technology on the supervision of catechists; b) to develop a framework on Catechesis for Children, Youth and Adults; c) to review the formation curriculum of all the catechetical centers and colleges offering religious education; and lastly, d) to write a Paper on "Ex Corde Ecclesiae"  which will serve as the framework for the accreditation of Catholic Schools and Catechetical Centers in the Philippines.

F.      Catechetical development in trans-parochial communities and other settings - Results of the 4 consultation meetings mentioned confirmed the increasing demand for adult catechesis.  This need is currently being filled by leaders of trans-parochial communities. However, a lack of systematic approach was also sighted.

G.     Advocacy - This is another area which needs attention, as confirmed during the said consultation meetings.  There is still a growing need to advocate for the inclusion of Religion as a mandatory subject in all public schools.  We have resubmitted a modified version of the bill.  When passed into law, this will make Religious Instruction mandatory in all public schools, in line with our Philippine Constitution.

• To lobby for the increase in the amounts of grants to students under the GASTPE program.
• To lobby for the eventual adoption of a voucher system in the basic education level, whereby student grantees will be subsidized by the government in the same amount that it spends for each student in the public schools.

Putting it in a simple yet direct manner:

WE NEED OUR CATECHISTS, OUR CATECHISTS NEED US.

LET US SUPPORT THEM.

And as a result of the 4 consultation meetings held this year with the Heads of Catechetical Centers and CEAP Officials, additional priority areas surfaced which we integrated in our existing concerns presented to you earlier. And from these we came up with our updated "CATECHETICAL AND CATHOLIC EDUCATION STRATEGIC PLAN FOR 2004 and BEYOND" which is still very much attuned with the first of the 9 Pastoral Priorities of the Church envisioned by PCP II, which is Integral Faith Formation. I will now present to you our additional concerns:

A.  Strengthen Networking & Sharing of Resources among Catholic Schools & Catechetical Centers - There is a periodic interaction among heads of Catechetical Centers and Colleges and Universities offering Religious Education.

      Significantly, there will be 2 upcoming major assemblies being organized by our commission:

      1) the National Assembly of Heads of Catechetical Centers and Colleges and Universities with Religious Education  (October 4-6, 2004 at St. Scholastica's Center of Spirituality in Tagaytay City); and

      2) on January 10-14, 2005 we will have our Third National Catechetical Consultation at the Capuchin Renewal Center in Batangas. (invitation to all diocesan and congregational superintendents to be part of this consultation)

      For these two assemblies, the agenda will be:

a) the presentation of instruments for the Accreditation (in recognition) of:

                                    i)  Catechetical Centers, and

                                    ii) Colleges / Universities Offering Religious Education

b) discussion of the final draft of the Elements of Minimum Learning Competencies (EMLC)

c)  the Presentation of the "Catechetical And Catholic Education Strategic Plan For 2004 and Beyond" 

                        d) other Catechetical-related concerns

B. Update of Formation Curriculum - On these two consultation meetings, the finalization of the EMLC and the Revision of the Basic Formation Program is on the top list of our agenda.

C. Establishment of a Research Desk - With the creation of a Research Desk just last February 2004, we were able to create an official website (www.eccceonline.org) in coordination with CBCPWorld under the supervision of Msgr. Pedro Quitorio.  The website was officially launched last April 2, 2004 at the ECCCE Office in Intramuros, Manila.  

The commission's formal entry into the worldwide web signals its commitment to more effectively link together all those who work for the ministries of catechesis and catholic education, by providing all the information and communication tools they need to perform their mission with more ease and greater knowledge.

The launching ceremony led by our Chairman, was graced with the presence of our CBCP President, His Excellency Archbishop Fernando R. Capalla, together with ECCCE Vice- Chairman Bishop Sofronio A. Bancud and other guests.

The Research Desk is also tasked to compile, organize and disseminate the various modules coming from the different dioceses.

D. Training the Trainers - There is a need to develop a formal training program for Catechetical Coordinators. The Catechetical Institutes as well as identified Heads of Colleges and Universities offering Religious Education in the NCR-Region were tasked to develop this program.

E.   Training Catechists for life-long catechesis particularly for adults - with the great demand for adult catechesis coming from the BECs and trans-parochial communities, a research team was assigned to look into this concern.

F.   Closer Partnership between Catholic Schools and the Diocese will be realized through an Accreditation program of Religious Education in Catholic Schools, Colleges and Universities, using "Ex Corde Ecclesiae" as framework.  The Accreditation Program will be done in coordination with the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP).

G.   Strengthen the Outreach-Extension Programs of Catholic Schools through:

      a. advocacy for poor schools by taking their point of view in developing programs;

      b. through involvement of both teachers and students in public school catechesis and immersion programs; and

      c. strengthening of BEC curriculum towards heavier emphasis on social transformation. 

H.   Catechists' Welfare and Development - Last December 15, 2003, the Philippine Catechetical Apostolate and Religious Education (PhilCARE) Foundation, Inc. was granted by the Philippine Council for Non-Governmental Organization Certification (PCNC) Office the certificate as a donee-institution, a pre-requisite for the BIR application.  And on January 20, 2004 , the BIR awarded the Certificate of Registration to PhilCARE as a Donee-Institution.

As a Donee-Institution, the donation/s received shall entitle the donor/s to FULL or LIMITED DEDUCTION and EXEMPTION FROM DONOR'S TAX.

- end -