New approach to Catechism is coming to your parish

Church leaders have announced that Catholic faith formation will be expanding beyond the textbook in the near future.

Responding to the Synod on Synodality and adapting to the modern world, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Subcommittee on the Catechism has launched the “Institute on the Catechism” to pass on the faith using digital tools and reaching a more diverse church. The Subcommittee was founded 22 years ago to work on implementing the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

The Institute is not a physical place but rather an ongoing comprehensive national collaboration led by the bishops with a mission to implement a new model of ‘evangelizing catechesis’ that meets the needs and challenges presented by our secular society, Bishop Elias R. Lorenzo O.S.B., Archdiocese of Newark, who serves on the subcommittee told Jersey Catholic. 

“The proposed model reimagines catechesis in a way that recognizes that society is different today and the methods of engaging young people have also changed,” Bishop Lorenzo said.

The bishop points to a changing religious landscape, with fewer people identifying with any religion. According to Pew Research Center numbers 50 years ago, only 5% of US adults identified as having no religion. In 2020, that number rose to 30% and has continued to grow. He said that if nothing is done differently, that number could increase to 70%.

“The USCCB Subcommittee on the Catechism believes it is time for a new model of faith formation that can meet the needs of our young people who live in a secular culture, one that is hostile to the Catholic faith,” Bishop Lorenzo said.

Through the institute, Catechetical publishers will work directly with the USCCB subcommittee on creating materials and resources that parishes can use to implement ‘evangelizing catechesis.’

While the Subcommittee on the Catechism reviewed publishers’ Catechetic texts for 22 years to ensure conformity with the Catechism, the subcommittee was not able to address the shifting landscape in society and the disaffiliation of many from organized religion. 

“The new Institute on the Catechism aims at addressing that new landscape and disaffiliation,” Bishop Lorenzo said. 

The institute will also provide resources to dioceses and annual, in-person training conferences and retreats for (arch)diocesan catechetical leaders.

In mid-November, the institute held its first meeting in Baltimore, Md.

Bishop Lorenzo, who attended, said the initiative is just getting off the ground. Although members of the USCCB Subcommittee on the Catechism, representatives from the 21 Catholic publishing houses in the U.S., and diocesan catechetical directors attended, Bishop Lorenzo said the weekend was more of a retreat for dialogue and discernment than a conference.  

The institute’s launch coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and Pope Francis’ 2021 document “Antiquum Ministerium” (Ancient Ministry), which establishes the lay ministry of Catechist as an official ministry of the Church.

An amended and updated Vatican’s Directory for Catechesis (last updated in 2020), which guides catechists and pastors in the role of evangelization, will also be expected.

Bishop Frank J. Caggiano, Diocese of Bridgeport and chairman of the bishops’ Subcommittee on the Catechism, calls it a “radically different model” in an interview with EWTN Catholic Television Network on Oct. 28.

He said the institute’s mandate is to “create multiple opportunities where a young person can encounter Christ in an ongoing way” and have the “leadership of the church and their parents accompany them.”

Patty Rodriguez,Director of the Archdiocese of Newark’s Catechetical Office, said that although ‘evangelizing catechesis’ is not a new concept, the new model launched by the bishops in November will continue to evolve as it is implemented.

“In general, the objective is a paradigm shift from a catechesis that is primarily focused on doctrine to an ‘evangelizing catechesis’ that is comprehensive but first and foremost focused on presenting the person of Jesus Christ, creating opportunities for individuals to encounter Jesus and to grow in intimacy with him.

. How to implement is, in large measure, what the Institute wants to explore,” Rodriguez said.

Listing specifics, Bishop Lorenzo said that the new model should include the following:

• Authentic opportunities to encounter Christ beyond classroom instruction;
• Enculturated catechesis;
• Proper use of technology as a tool in catechesis. 
• Subcommittee members also recognize the role every baptized Catholic should play in passing on the faith.

“The Institute highlights that every baptized Christian has an essential role in passing on the faith, including bishops, diocesan leaders, publishers, parents, pastors, youth and young adult ministers, athletic coaches, and parishioners,” Bishop Lorenzo said.  

The Institute will also foster the creation of recreational and social gatherings so young people can form friendships that promote a life of faith and participation in the sacramental life of the Church, mainly centering around the Eucharist, he said.

Rodriguez says the focus will not only be on children. An essential part of implementing this new model of catechesis is to consider catechesis as lifelong learning, beyond only sacrament preparation, to formation for people of all ages.

“We are working to change the culture and to form leaders so that our parishes become life-giving communities of faith where people encounter Jesus, experience His love, grow in their understanding of the Catholic faith, and live as missionary disciples,” Rodriguez said.

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Featured image: Church leaders have announced that Catholic faith formation will be expanding beyond the classroom. (MD Duran  vis Unsplash)