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CATECHETICAL CONSULTATION MEETINGS
National Catechetical
Consultation II
(7-10 January 2004)
Theme: Starting Afresh from
Christ, Catechesis for the Third Millennium
This reports on the recently concluded Second National
Catechetical Convention (NCC-II) of the Episcopal Commission
on Catechesis and Catholic Education. A total of 95
delegates from all over the country attended. The list
of attendees is shown on Exhibit 1. View.
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. In between the workshops, key inputs from
a roster of prominent speakers in their respective fields
were provided by way of talks and open forums.
A summary of the various talks are presented below.
Talks and Presentations
1. Trends and Challenges in Catechesis
by Archbishop Leonardo Legaspi
Catechesis has shifted in terms of locus (from the
classroom to the BEC and family), focus (from memorization
of doctrines to an experiential and contextualized presentation
of faith), and aim (from apologetics directed to individual
believers to an ecumenical and pluralistics approach
directed to communal faith. The priorities should be:
an attention to practical theology, which insists that
all theological disciplines must engage and transform.
The basis of true theology is the inspiration of the
Holy Spirit, and there should therefore be no gap between
theory and practice: our beliefs shape our practices
and our practices reinforce our beliefs. Read.
2. Situation of Catechesis in the
Philippines by Msgr. Gerry Santos
Two national surveys indicated that: (a) 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) and (b) among those we
are reaching, we need to do a better job in our catechesis.
Clearly, the situation demands that we improve both
quantity of our catechists and the quality of our catechesis.
It challenges us to shift paradigm in our catechesis,
particularly to the youth by exploring new strategies
to reach them both within and outside the classrooms.
Moreover, it requires renewed strategies in campus ministries,
community based catechesis and family apostolates. Read.
A status report on the 8 Key Concerns of ECCCE was also
provided, namely:
- Revision of the National Catholic Directory of
the Philippines (NCDP),
- Dissemination of the actual and correct use of the
Catechism for Filipino Catholics,
- The development of the Elements of Minimum Learning
Competencies (EMLC) in Religion,
- Catechists’ Welfare and Development,
- Formation of Catechists and Religion Teachers,
- Relationship between ECCCE and CEAP, MAPSA, ACM,
and Diocesan Catechetical Offices and Catechetical
Formation Centers,
- Catechetical development in transparochial communities
and other settings, and
- Advocacy
3. Culture of Research in Catechesis
by Dr. Linda Tacorda
The history of the development of catechesis worldwide
was presented. The need for basic research was emphasized,
together with the need for documentation and surveys
to know the situation in each of the diocese where we
conduct catechesis. Read.
4. Training the Trainers
The Role of the Catechetical Coordinators in the Ministry
by Fr. Rene de Guzman – There should be a systematic
and organized formation program for the catechized,
the catechist, and the formators of the catechists.
This should be based on a vision and implemented as
a process, rather than a haphazard choice of topics
based on circumstances. Formation must have the dimensions
of being, knowing and methodology. Read.
5. The Enduring Legacy of the CCC
and CFC by Fr. Joseph L. Roche, SJ
The CCC and CFC are meant to be treated as documents
on the fundamentals of the faith. These are not meant
to be read straight off for catechizing but to be used
as basis only. (Time allocation for Fr. Roche was reduced
due to overflow of previous speakers). Read.
6. Catechesis and Mission by Msgr.
Gilbert Garcera
A presentation on the roles and function of the Pontifical
Mission Society was presented.
7. Socio-Political Situationer by
Fr. Jose Magadia, SJ
The basic problem is that of inequality, and where
economic inequality translates to inequality in access
to change the situation. Our sense of leadership is
based on what the leaders can provide and what we can
get from them. Thus, there is a culture of independence.
Catechesis can break this cycle through an evangelization
of culture and critiquing the way we are as a people.
8. Pre-Election Enrichment Modules
by Sr. Andy Collantes, OSB
The approach in catechizing the students regarding
the elections was presented, together with an example
of such modules as prepared by the catechetical coordinators
of Manila.
Recommendations on the Key Priorities
for ECCCE
Based on the various concerns identified by the delegates,
the main areas of concerns were divided according to
(1) Human / Material Resources, (2) Organizational and
Physical, (3) Formation / Development / Training, (4)
Catechetical Programs and Services, (5) Leadership,
(6) Information and Communication, and (7) Implementation
/ Monitoring of Programs
Each group presented their proposals and the following
are the recommended priorities and projects for ECCCE:
1. Establishment of a Research Desk in ECCCE that
would compile, organize and disseminate the various
modules available in the various dioceses nationwide.
This office may be combined with a Communication Desk
that would provide constant updates on articles and
on-going activities in the field of catechetics, as
well as contact point for general queries from the
field. The Communication Desk could spearhead a website
to enable wide reach, direct and immediate communication.
2. Development of a formal training program for Catechetical
Coordinators (training the Trainers). This training
program should apply the process recommended by Fr.
Rene de Guzman in his talk (see no.4 above) but already,
the following skills are recommended as priorities:
use of audio-visual, supervisory and management skills,
guidance and counseling skills, and developing recollection
and retreat modules. Bishop Soc Villegas suggested
that, perhaps, the various catechetical institutes
(Formation Institute for Religious Educators (FIRE
- Ateneo), De La Salle University, Mother of Life,
Institute of Catechetics of the Archdiocese of Manila
(ICAM) and the Institute of Catechetics on Youth Ministry
be the ones to develop this program.
Further, there is the need for training to provide
skills for adult catechesis, which remains a “new
field of expertise” to most catechists.
3. Advocacy directed to both External and Internal
Audiences. Externally, there is the need to advocate
for the inclusion of Religion as a mandatory subject
in all public schools. Internally, assistance and
moral persuasion are needed to obtain more support
from the bishop and clergy for the catechists, particularly
in the areas of funding and leadership in local formation
programs.
Bishop Soc Villegas also clarified that ECCCE is a
means for communio among the catechists and among the
various related organizations such as the Catholic Educational
Association of the Philippines (CEAP). The authority
over the catechists resides with their respective bishops
and not with ECCCE. However, ECCCE will do its utmost
so that the requires advocacy be done to ensure the
growth and vitality of the catechetical ministry in
each diocese.
It was requested that there bean annual convention
and that a report on the above recommended priorities
be presented in the next one. The next convention is
scheduled on January 10-14, 2005 in Lipa, Batangas.
Representatives for each Ecclesiastical Province were
also chosen to serve as members of an Advisory Council.
This is shown on Exhibit II. View.
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