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“Culture of Research in Catechesis”
By Miss Linda T. Tacorda, Ph.D.
in Catechetics
A. Premise:
Use of terms:
“culture of research”
“attitude of research”
“practice of research”
“research mentality”
1. Meaning of “research”:
Careful and diligent search; studious inquiry or examination
especially investigation or experimentation aimed at
the discovery and interpretation of facts, revision
of accepted theories or laws in the light of new facts
or practical application of such new and revised theories
or laws or the collecting of information about a particular
subject. (Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary,
10th Edition, p.995)
“Research draws on information gathered systematically
in the library or in the laboratory, research conducted
either in collections of printed materials or through
direct observation and experimentation.
Although writers of such papers often work with materials
compiled by others, they make an original contribution
by organizing the information in a new way or by drawing
a new conclusion on the basis of existing knowledge.”
(CAMPBELL et al, Form and Style Theses, Reports, Term
Papers, 8th edition (reprinted in the Phil.1990, p.
xii)
2. The “culture of research” in catechesis
serves to qualify formation of all catechists in terms
of:
Formation of “to know”
>>Theological competencies – the contents
of Faith /
the research for the deeper meaning of the Faith
>>Formation of “to be”: the spirituality
of the Catechist
personal research - search of meaning
- in one self/ in one’s life/as a catechist
>> Formation of “to do”: the pedagogical
and behavioral sciences
3. Chapter VII: Necessity of Promoting Scientific
Study (GCD 131)
SCIENTIFIC STUDY
131 Because of the rapid development in present-day
culture, the catechetical movement will, in no way to
advance without scientific study.
Hence it is necessary that the national organs of
the Conferences of Bishops promote joint research projects.
Clearly it is necessary that a program of questions
to be researched be determined, that there be awareness
of the questions already under study and occasional
consultation with the experts who are working on them,
and that a study be undertaken of questions that have
not yet been researched, the necessary financial support
for this having been provided.
There can be subjects for research that have universal
importance for example, the relations between catechesis
and modern exegesis, between catechesis and anthropology,
between catechesis and the mass media, and so on. Because
of the nature and difficulties of such kind of research,
international cooperation is often advisable.
(GDC 251)
251…these higher institutes can be national or
even international. They ought to function as a university
so far as curriculum, length of course and requisites
for admission are concerned. In addition to the formation
of those who must assume responsibility for catechesis,
these institutes will also form who teach catechesis
in seminaries, houses of formation and in the catechetical
schools. These institutes should devote themselves to
a congruent level of research in catechesis.
B. LIGHTS FROM RESEARCHES
B.1. Historical notes – evolution from catechesis
to catechetics
“catechetics as a science”
- a relatively young science compared to other traditional
ecclesiastical disciplines
Catechetics like didactics has been cultivated for a
long time in the level of wisdom, without much theory,
but with many practical aspects.
Review …
Year 399 – St. Augustine’s De catechizandis
rudibus, a short writing on functional/ practical advises
on how to catechize the unlettered
Year 1406 Tractatus de parvulis trahendis ad Christum
(G.Gerson)
After the Council of Trent (1543 –1565)numerous
catechetical writings came out on how to teach better
the catechism (number codes like # 3 (Trinity, theological
virtues) # 4 cardinal virtues; # 7 sacraments, capital
sins, works of mercy; beatitudes, etc..
Year 1593 – catechetical theology as distinct
from pastoral theology
1777 the year catechetics was offered in the university
” (Univ.of Tubingen in the Austrian empire) as
part of pastoral theology course. (Fr. Von Hirscher
– considered as “Father of Catechetics From
then on, the production of catechetical journals, reviews,
etc.
The 19th century is strongly characterized by books
on methods, how to teach the catechism .
B.2. International Catechetical Study Weeks
Catechesis uses the systematic discipline because
it has taken the characteristics of a scientific discipline.
“A good example of serious studies and research
in the international sphere were organized in the late
60s… a series that numbered up to ten encounters.
Organized by certain number of persons: people with
executive responsibilities, Catechetical scholars, animators
associated among themselves in action and reflection,
to create and diffuse opinions, bringing about renewal
in the legislation and organization , rethinking and
checking the contents of catechesis; to perfect the
method; to associate among themselves through their
regular writings , (precisely creating a more or less
organized movement) and to diffuse ideas and experiences.
Some catechetical movements just acted within the
country and ignored most of the time what was happening
in other countries….although there might have
been influences coming from the outside through catechetical
reviews or some translated catechetical studies that
were found practical.”( UPS dissertation.. footnote
2, p. 120.)
1959 – Nijmegen Holland on mission liturgy adaptation…
from the catechetcail concerns …liturgy of baptism
and the catechumenate, […background --- 1956 intl
liturgical symposium in Assissi Italy (the Dir. Fr.
Jhof. Collaborated with the Lit. Inst of Treviri,Germany)
. in 1959 Holland Holland hosted the same kind of meeting
on mission liturgy Here attention was given to promoting
an active participation in the liturgy… no thought
of VCII yet
1960 – Eichstatt – on “mission catechetics”,
principles and methods in teaching catechetics; on training
future catechists (the kerygmatic approach) NB, Mons
Cuenco was present – they took up the problem
of putting up catecal formation centers at least in
every country…
1962 Bangkok – the journey of the unbeliever
to faith with 3 stages: preevangelization, evangelization,
catechesis proper (implications – this is carried
in the 1971 Gcd 17)
1964 Katigondo- how to make the Kerygma take root in
African culture (implications to catechesis… inculturation
– a term used in the Synodal floor in 1977)
1967 Manila – reassessed the purpose of the
missionary work ; new approach to other religions (a
new concern with man and his world /approach anthropocentric
orientation – Vat. C. II was just concluded. Father
D. Grasso was able to discuss with the participants
what it means to evangelize but not necessarily to convert
– dialogue- to offer Christianity by way of life,
i.e by witnessing)… implications to Philippine
catechesis – inter religious dialogue
1968 Medellin, Colombia – the demand for catechesis
to be involved in the liberation of humanity, a demand
for action – implication to Phil catechesis …
the BECs. An experience-based approach
1969 San Antonio Texas, USA – to harmonize the
respective responsibilities of Catholic media specialists
and religious educators
B.3. THE PLACE OF NCDP AMONG OFFICIAL CATECHETICAL
DOCUMENTS WORLDWIDE
- 1964 France/ Holland
- 1967 Argentina
- 1968 CELAM
- 1969 Spain
- 1970 Italy/Belgium/Australia
- 1971 GCD/ Mexico
- 1972 USA
- 1973 Great Britain
- 1974 Chile/ New Zealand
- 1975 Evangelii Nuntiandi
- 1976 W. Germany/ Australia/ Spain
- 1977 Bps’ Synod on Catechesis “Message
to the People of God”
- 1978 England and Wales
- 1979 Catechesi Tradendae
- Puebla – CELAM/ USA
- 1981 Ecuador
- 1982 Brasil
- 1984 Philippines
- 1994 India
C. Formal Research through
- Catechetical journals (115 from all over the world,
one of which is DOCETE by ECCCE Philippines_
- Dizionario di catechetica
- Rassegna …
D. What ECCCE has done so far in term of researches
–
- Shape of religious education in the Philippines
today part I
- Shape of religious education in the Philippines
today part II
RESEARCHES by ECERI/ECCCE
- Research from member offices – as to cat’l
materials produced
- Research of different catechetical formation centers
there are in the country including their years of
foundation
- Files/documentation of other related researches
regarding the: types and functions of catechists existing
in the Philippines
- Catechists as animators/ catechists as BEC leaders/
catechists in the parish/ catechists as religion instructors/
CL teachers/ theology teachers
- Research regarding catechetical method/s used in
the country
- Regarding catechetical materials
- Research of catechists turn over (catechists who
left the country)
- Remuneration
- Age brackets
- Type of training
- Catechetical Institutes and their Program/Curriculum
E. WHAT IS EXPECTED OF THE DIOCESAN
CATL OFFICES?
- documentation section
- surveys
- on methods
- on training
- on personnel
- on belief system of the students
- what materials are there in the market
- which schools offer “what kind of curricula
for catechists? What is your specialty? Catechesis
for the adults? For families? For BEC leaders? For
volunteer catechists?
- A round table for sharing initiatives … see
regional report
- what AV materials are good
F. WHAT IS EXPECTED OF THE NATIONAL
OFFICE?
- To establish a progress report of history of catechesis
in the Philippines
- Comparative studies of findings of ECERI reports
of 1977…/
- a study of proposals that have been raised
in the past 10 years
- ex. 1990 the Catechetical Year/ 2000 the
Joint CEAP and ECCCE jubilee convention
- update on catechetical institutes
- etc. (linkages with other Episcopal Commissions)
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