Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bissau (Agenzia Fides) - “Over the last few years we have witnessed a 'race' to receive the sacraments and we think it necessary to revise the catechetical journey,” said Sister Maria Auxiliadora Queiroz Motta, missionary of the Immaculate Conception, head of the Inter-diocesan Commission for Catechesis in Guinea-Bissau. According to information sent to Fides by the Curia of Bissau, in recent days representatives from the Dioceses of Bissau and Bafata gathered at the Spirituality Centre in Ndama, to conclude the drafting of a document about the Rite of Christian Initiation in Guinea Bissau.
The sister, in the country for 18 years and for five of them responsible for catechesis, considers that evangelization in the country has shallow roots, typical of a historical period in which the mission had other concerns. Recently, with the greater influx of young people to the catechumenate, every missionary has resorted to his or her past experience. This has naturally generated disparity of methods and paths, and has confused the faithful who request guidance for the community. For this reason in 2007 a Directory was drafted, published as an experiment, providing general guidelines to follow.
The Directory also outlines the profile for the catechist, noting in particular that formation is essential. Cesar Ignacio Viera, catechist at the parish of Our Lady of Salvation, in Bissau, where he performed this role for 24 years, agrees with the impression that the Catholic community is experiencing a positive moment: the fact that people go in search of the Church is very good; that was not the case 20 years ago. For him then, “if we know how to welcome, we may also bear good fruit; this is what we work for.” In every parish the number of people registered for catechesis is high, about three in four Catholics attend catechesis. The challenge is to ensure that people, after receiving the sacraments, continue to receive them frequently, and grow in their life of faith and as Christian witnesses. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 24/11/2010)
