Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides Service) - The necessity of differentiated paths which faithfully reflect and meet the many situations of individuals, the decisive role of the family, the great utility of ecclesial movements where there exists authentic unity with the local bishop, the essentiality of a Bishop’s mandate for persons who accompany catechumens: these were some of the closing reflections offered by Bishop Cesare Nosiglia, Council of European Bishops’ Conferences CCEE Bishop delegate for catechesis, schools and universities at the end of the 10th Meeting of Bishops and National Directors for Catechesis held in Rome from 8 to 11 May and attended by over 60 people representing the Bishops’ Conferences of Europe and the Bishops’ Conference of Kazakstan.
The Meeting’s final statement mentions some of the many ideas which emerged especially in discussion groups. Many underlined the great variety of situations and the character of the community which welcomes people who wish to become Catholics. Participants agreed on the utility of diocesan and national offices to offer support to dioceses, parishes and other communities and that creativity is the order of the day for building “spaces for welcoming and evangelisation”. The importance of keeping contact with new members of the Church was underlined by participants from every part of Europe in the light of concerning rates of defection following the catechumenate. It was agreed that the question requires ulterior study.
Priests must accept the fact that they need help to develop adequate pastoral methods and tools for working with catechumens. Service and listening are everywhere the key words and they are valid for all involved in the process. Many of those who approach the Church are people in search of the spiritual and many come from the ranks of the new poor: prisoners, seafarers, students, military, immigrants and members of the more consolidated ethnic minority groups. Support of the Bishops’ Conferences for effective programmes is essential: it is vital for catechists to have sound formation not only good will. At the end of the meeting there was sense of opening and hope, and a feeling that “the way people in our day become Christians has changed profoundly”. A most interesting intervention presented to the meeting was that of the Russian language group which illustrated certain aspects of its particular situation. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 16/5/2006, righe 30, parole 408)
