Cardinal (Pope Francis I): Catechesis Is Pillar of the Church

[jwinch2]

Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio (Pope Francis I)

zenit.org/en/articles/cardinal-catechesis-is-pillar-of-the-church

August 31, 2010 | 2017 hits

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, AUG. 31, 2010 (Zenit.org).- The archbishop of Buenos Aires is underlining the importance of the ministry of catechesis, as a “pillar of the Church.”

Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio took advantage of the recent Day of the Catechist to express gratitude for the “silent and committed dedication” of these ministers.

After asking God to “rejuvenate” the catechists with his grace, the prelate affirmed that “the renewal of pastoral care and of catechesis will not depend on great programs and structures, but on new men and women who embody this tradition and novelty, as disciples of Jesus Christ and missionaries of his Kingdom.”

In a letter addressed to catechists, the cardinal stated, “In our task of evangelization, God asks us to accompany a people that walks in the faith.”

He continued: "For this the Lord gives us faces, histories and researches. And it is always good to recall that that child, that youth and that adult that God puts on our path is not a glass that we must fill with content or a person to conquer.

“The Lord already dwells in their heart, given that he always precedes us.”

Cardinal Bergoglio explained, “Our task will be simply to help to unveil, to make explicit the presence of him who is already present and has the power to fill every life.”

Splendid mission

He added that it is a “splendid mission, ministry of the Word that catechists have been carrying out uninterruptedly for almost two thousand years.”

The prelate also called the ministry “an ecclesial service that is expressed in many ways and in different places.”

The cardinal then reminded the catechists that the faithful first need “witnesses rather than teachers.”

“There is a greater need than ever of catechists,” he added.

There is a need, Cardinal Bergoglio said, “of a joyful, committed catechist renewed in his fervor, who makes present that style of missionary Church that knows about frailty – one’s own and that of others – and because of this goes out, listens, embraces and supports.”

He concluded, “Do not tire of sowing!”

 

[Sirach2]

Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio (Pope Francis I)

zenit.org/en/articles/cardinal-catechesis-is-pillar-of-the-church

What a beautiful article! One can quickly see why he was elected. His witness of simplicity and humility has already touched me deeply.

After asking God to “rejuvenate” the catechists with his grace, the prelate affirmed that “the renewal of pastoral care and of catechesis will not depend on great programs and structures, but on new men and women who embody this tradition and novelty, as disciples of Jesus Christ and missionaries of his Kingdom.”

The cardinal then reminded the catechists that the faithful first need “witnesses rather than teachers.”

 

[jwinch2]

What a beautiful article! One can quickly see why he was elected. His witness of simplicity and humility has already touched me deeply.

I agree to a point. However, I disagree that the programs and processes are unimportant. Yes, we must witness through our lives, etc. However, the lack of structure and organized catechesis combined with poor resources and poorly trained catechists and the extreme focus on witness has led us where we are today, which is, as many have noted to include Pope Benedict, Pope John Paul II, and many many bishops, a crisis of catechesis, where the majority of Catholics do not know the basic tenants of the Faith.

The simple truth is that yes, we need holy and faithful people to witness the Gospel, this is without question. However, we also need the proper structures, programs, training, and a plan to implement them so that people are taught effectively and properly what the Faith actually entails. We have a situation now, where the parents who are supposed to be the primary means by which the Faith is passed on, do not know the Faith themselves, let alone have ability and resources to teach it.

 

[Sirach2]

I agree to a point. However, I disagree that the programs and processes are unimportant. Yes, we must witness through our lives, etc. However, the lack of structure and organized catechesis combined with poor resources and poorly trained catechists and the extreme focus on witness has led us where we are today, which is, as many have noted to include Pope Benedict, Pope John Paul II, and many many bishops, a crisis of catechesis, where the majority of Catholics do not know the basic tenants of the Faith.

The simple truth is that yes, we need holy and faithful people to witness the Gospel, this is without question. However, we also need the proper structures, programs, training, and a plan to implement them so that people are taught effectively and properly what the Faith actually entails. We have a situation now, where the parents who are supposed to be the primary means by which the Faith is passed on, do not know the Faith themselves, let alone have ability and resources to teach it.

I was not disagreeing with this – just pointing out the effect of witness. Truly, we need both, but the latter will not have much influence without the former. I am already inclined to simplify my life in union with his example. Witness is catchy!

 

[jwinch2]

I was not disagreeing with this – just pointing out the effect of witness. Truly, we need both, but the latter will not have much influence without the former. I am already inclined to simplify my life in union with his example. Witness is catchy!

I believe both are equally necessary and we focus on one more than the other at our peril.

Programs and processes without the witness will be dry and uninspiring, particularly when the harder teachings are discussed and presented. Witness without effective structures, programs, etc. will be misguided, lack focus, and probably end up being heretical, which we have seen all to much of in the recent past where the correct answer to any question about God was “love” and nothing went beyond that. There was no depth, no focus, and in the end, no result except for empty pews and two generations lost to the Faith.

It is very difficult to love what one does not know. You might get an infatuation, etc. but it will not truly be love. Love is an act of the will, not an emotional response. Therefore, if the information about God is never really transmitted effectively, one cannot truly love Him, as one would not be able to make the act of will necessary to truly love. I don’t mean we all need to be theologians, and am talking about the basics of the catechism. The other side of the coin is that people are motivated to learn more about the things they love. So, if one starts from a place of loving God, perhaps real, perhaps merely an infatuation, then one will likely wish to seek out knowledge about God and his Church. This can obviously be facilitated by witness from others who themselves are in love with God.

Again, both approaches are equally necessary.

Peace of Christ,

 

[Sirach2]

I believe both are equally necessary and we focus on one more than the other at our peril.

Programs and processes without the witness will be dry and uninspiring, particularly when the harder teachings are discussed and presented. Witness without effective structures, programs, etc. will be misguided, lack focus, and probably end up being heretical, which we have seen all to much of in the recent past where the correct answer to any question about God was “love” and nothing went beyond that. There was no depth, no focus, and in the end, no result except for empty pews and two generations lost to the Faith.

It is very difficult to love what one does not know. You might get an infatuation, etc. but it will not truly be love. Love is an act of the will, not an emotional response. Therefore, if the information about God is never really transmitted effectively, one cannot truly love Him, as one would not be able to make the act of will necessary to truly love. I don’t mean we all need to be theologians, and am talking about the basics of the catechism. The other side of the coin is that people are motivated to learn more about the things they love. So, if one starts from a place of loving God, perhaps real, perhaps merely an infatuation, then one will likely wish to seek out knowledge about God and his Church. This can obviously be facilitated by witness from others who themselves are in love with God.

Again, both approaches are equally necessary.

Peace of Christ,

And we have the age-old problem of free will, sad to say. I was a catechist and my children had the best of teachings and example, yet all of them, including my grandchildren, have become agnostics. They could care less, as is the right of free will to choose to abandon their faith. Go figure! Prayer and much penance is needed, hoping they will accept the graces that God gives them despite their hardness of heart and leaning with materialism.

I am facing a dilemma right now where one of my grandchildren is getting married at at J/P’s and expects the family to support that decision. Knowing my deep faith, would my presence there affirm their civil marriage? I am taking courage from our new Vicar to stand up for Truth and decline, knowing it will cause dissention in the family.

 

[jwinch2]

And we have the age-old problem of free will, sad to say. I was a catechist and my children had the best of teachings and example, yet all of them, including my grandchildren, have become agnostics. They could care less, as is the right of free will to choose to abandon their faith. Go figure! Prayer and much penance is needed, hoping they will accept the graces that God gives them despite their hardness of heart and leaning with materialism.

Agreed. The learning of the Faith, does not necessarily lead to internalizing it and living it. What can happen however, is that they come back later, and then have a foundation to work from. If you had asked me 5 years ago if I would be Catholic or if my wife would come back to the Church we both would have told you absolutely not.

I am facing a dilemma right now where one of my grandchildren is getting married at at J/P’s and expects the family to support that decision. Knowing my deep faith, would my presence there affirm their civil marriage? I am taking courage from our new Vicar to stand up for Truth and decline, knowing it will cause dissention in the family.

That’s a tough situation and I don’t have any easy answers for you.

If it provides you any comfort, those things can work out in the end. In the spirit of witnessing, as the topic of this thread I can try to share our personal situation with you if you are open to it:

My wife and I were married in Vegas by a protestant minister in the chapel of a casino. When we looked into coming back into the Church, we went through RCIA and eventually decided to have our marriage convalidated and brought into the Church. This has led to a process of our trying more and more to live the teachings of the Church when it comes to marriage.

I was very resentful of the idea at first and did not wish to accept Church teachings on marriage. With time, patience, prayer, and lots of going to confession, I came around. I think my wife would say the same thing. Now, it is my desperate hope that God approves of our marriage and that I do my best to be a God fearing Christian husband.

Many people say this, but we are living proof, if it can happen to us, it could happen in your family also.

 

[Sirach2]

Agreed. The learning of the Faith, does not necessarily lead to internalizing it and living it. What can happen however, is that they come back later, and then have a foundation to work from. If you had asked me 5 years ago if I would be Catholic or if my wife would come back to the Church we both would have told you absolutely not.

That’s a tough situation and I don’t have any easy answers for you.

If it provides you any comfort, those things can work out in the end. In the spirit of witnessing, as the topic of this thread I can try to share our personal situation with you if you are open to it:
My wife and I were married in Vegas by a protestant minister in the chapel of a casino. When we looked into coming back into the Church, we went through RCIA and eventually decided to have our marriage convalidated and brought into the Church. This has led to a process of our trying more and more to live the teachings of the Church when it comes to marriage.

I was very resentful of the idea at first and did not wish to accept Church teachings on marriage. With time, patience, prayer, and lots of going to confession, I came around. I think my wife would say the same thing. Now, it is my desperate hope that God approves of our marriage and that I do my best to be a God fearing Christian husband.
Many people say this, but we are living proof, if it can happen to us, it could happen in your family also.

Yes, there’s always hope of a “metanoia” and I may not live to see it. Meanwhile until that occurs, I do not believe I should affirm this ceremony. After the wedding, I will certainly not abandon them in their married life, and keep up the family ties, if they aren’t angry with me. Thank you so much for sharing your circumstances with me. I really believe your hearts are in the right place, and I do not see any obstacles for you.

 

[Elizabeth502]

And we have the age-old problem of free will, sad to say. I was a catechist and my children had the best of teachings and example, yet all of them, including my grandchildren, have become agnostics.

I’m not sure what a J/P is, but a couple of things:

(1) agnosticism/atheism is fairly common for young people to go through; always has been, actually. I’m not saying a majority necessarily become that way but it’s just my experience that most young people at least go through a phase, if nothing else.

(2) I am grateful when an agnostic calls himself/herself an agnostic (or atheist, or member of X church) rather than a (baptized) Catholic who barely believes, selectively believes, and even more selectively practices.

That may sound weird, but I think it’s far less troublesome than a Catholic who has not yet figured out that he/she is not even close to behaving as a Catholic, or who is merely denying that contradiction publicly, while admitting it privately. The first step toward healing is an encounter with truth.

 

[Sirach2]

I’m not sure what a J/P is, but a couple of things:

(1) agnosticism/atheism is fairly common for young people to go through; always has been, actually. I’m not saying a majority necessarily become that way but it’s just my experience that most young people at least go through a phase, if nothing else.

(2) I am grateful when an agnostic calls himself/herself an agnostic (or atheist, or member of X church) rather than a (baptized) Catholic who barely believes, selectively believes, and even more selectively practices.

That may sound weird, but I think it’s far less troublesome than a Catholic who has not yet figured out that he/she is not even close to behaving as a Catholic, or who is merely denying that contradiction publicly, while admitting it privately. The first step toward healing is an encounter with truth.

J/P is a justice of the peace. I’m much afraid of being off-topic here, so perhaps I should just use private messaging. It’s a second marriage at that. I attended his first wedding, and was so very sorry I did so - one of the worst weddings I ever attended. Not even a prayer. I can’t do it again.