|
UPDATE ON THE 8 KEY CONCERNS
In line with the 8 key concerns, Archbishop Leonardo
Legaspi, O.P., D.D. (ECCCE Chairman, Jan. 1975 –
Nov. 1987; Dec. 1995 – Nov. 2003) presented an
update report to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference
of the Philippines (CBCP) Annual Assembly in July 2003.
An excerpt of the report.
“We have continued to make progress on these 8
Key Concerns, on which I now wish to briefly update
you.
- Revision of the National
Catholic Directory of the Philippines (NCDP).
The draft of the revision is still on going, but is
nearing its completion. We expect to distribute the
draft for your comments by September or October this
year. I look forward to your review and consequent
approval of the revised NCDP which I believe you will
find contemporary and inculturated, more focused on
the key topics, while being more user- and reader-friendly.
(•Go to NCDP Revision)
- Dissemination of
the actual and correct use of the Catechism for Filipino
Catholics/Katesismo para sa mga Pilipinong; Katoliko
(CFC / KPK): In addition to the 12
seminar/workshops conducted involving close to 800
participants as of June 2002, we conducted 7 more
seminar/workshops with 385 participants nationwide.
(•Go
to CFC) (•Go to Schedule of
CFC Seminars) There are also still several pending
requests from various CEAP Schools.
- The development of
the Elements of Minimum Learning Competencies (EMLC)
in Religion. This refers to identifying
the indispensable CONTENT of the Religious Education
curriculum, syllabus, and program for any given level
of classes in the school setting, or formation program
in the pastoral setting. Its purpose is to assist
authors of Religious Education textbooks in preparation
of content, school administrators and Diocesan Censors
in evaluating textbooks, and parish priests and leaders
in preparing Christian Formation programs. (Go
to EMLC)
After completing the EMLC for Kinder to Grade 3 last
year, we also completed these for all levels of elementary,
secondary and college. These are now ready for submission
to the assembly.
4. Catechists' Welfare
and Development. For tax purposes.
we applied for the status of donee-institution with
the PQ\C {Philippine Council for Non-Governmental
Organization Certification). A visit was conducted
by the Philippine Council for NGO Certification (PCNC)
in May 2003, and we are awaiting a favorable outcome.
As of May 31,2003, the fund's balance is P 11.5 million,
resulting mainly from donations of De La Salle University
of P10.5 million, and a combined donation of P2.4
million from Catholic Educational Association of the
Philippines (CEAP), Manila Archdiocesan Parochial
Schools Association (MAPSA), and the Archdiocesan
Catechetical Ministry (ACM). Expenses have been mainly
the cost of the 1st National Convention for Diocesan
School Superintendents (further discussed see below),
honoraria, publication of DOCETE, and financial assistance
to the Vicariate of Sulu- Tawi- Tawi to purchase audio-visual
materials. (•Go to PHILCARE FOUNDATION,
INC.)
5. Formation of Catechists
and Religion Teachers. We are still
in the process of drafting an upgraded version of
the Catechists Basic Formation Program (CBFP), as
well as an initial draft of the Religion Teachers'
Basic Formation Manual (RTBFM), geared for teachers
of diocesan, parochial and congregational schools.
The completion of these two documents will, necessarily,
await the final approval and adoption of the NCDP.
In the meantime, we will continue to refer to the
CFC for catechetical content. (•Go
to CBFP)
6. Relationship between
ECCCE and CEAP, MAPSA,_ACM_and Diocesan Catechetical
Offices and Catechetical Formation Centers.
A major accomplishment in this regard is the holding
of the 1st National Convention for Diocesan School
Superintendents in Cebu City on February 5 to 7, 2003,
as sponsored by the CEAP Superintendents Commission.
The goals of the Convention are:
- To obtain an objective and realistic picture
of the state of Catholic schools administered by
the archdiocese, prelature or vicariate
- To identify and address problems and needs of
the diocesan school superintendent so they can develop
into effective and efficient administrators of educational
institutions.
- To improve relationship and communication between
the superintendent vis-a.-vis CEAP and the CBCP-ECCCE,
- To increase effectiveness in promoting our position
pertaining to educational policies.
The key resolutions of the Convention are:
- Provide stronger support to the office of the superintendent
via basic education and ongoing training on school
management, plus logistical support to upgrade the
schools' pro_ particularly religious instructions.
- Establish a clearer definition of roles and functions
of the diocesan school superintendent and their relationship
with the Ordinary, CEAP and CBCP-ECCCE, e.g. a Superintendent's
Manual.
- Formalize a feedback mechanism that is periodic
and responsive between all parties.
- Establish an advocacy desk for evaluating and establishing
a common stand on education policies, and establish
linkages between superintendents and their respective
bishops.
As to the Diocesan Catechetical Offices, it should
be recalled that we now have Regional representatives
of the various Diocesan Catechetical offices to facilitate
communication and coordination between them and ECCCE.
On the other hand, we have not been able to meet with
the various Catechetical Formation Centers, but we aim
to do so within this year.
7. Catechetical development
in transparochial communities and other settings.
Since the launch of the Adult Catechesis Workshop
Series in February 2002, we have not been able to
make further substantial progress in this area given
the transfer of Fr. Edwin Mercado, the chair of the
committee responsible for this, to another assignment.
8. Advocacy.
We continue to monitor the passage of House Bill 137,
sponsored by Congresswoman Villaflor Angara-Castillo,
which is an "Act to Rationalize the Teaching
of Religion in Public Schools." When passed into
law, this will make Religious Instruction mandatory
in all public schools, in line with our Philippine
Constitution. Public hearings on this bill have been
held with very positive views expressed by the participants.”
|
