One morning, barely a year after my Priestly Ordination , my Pastor asked me to assist the Catechists in teaching Catechism haven put me in charge of Catechesis which comprised (in my case) handling the Sacraments of Christian Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. By default, I was also in charge of the Catechists, Chaplain to the Parish Youth, Priest-in-charge of the laity, Societies in the Parish, among other pastoral assignment.
Initially, I did not receive this directive to teach these children and adults with so much joy because I thought it was a job for the Catechists since they handle it all the time, forgetting that as a newly-ordained priest, one of my Priestly Offices/duty is the teaching Office (not forgetting the Sanctifying Office and Leadership).
After one month of dedicating my afternoons to Catechism, I developed so much interest and passion for it, which became a real eye-opener for me as a Priest after being fully involved in this beautiful ministry. I cannot thank my Pastors enough, Rev. Msgr. Gabriel Acheampong and the veteran Catechists who nurtured me. It was fantastic. Even though, before and during minor and major Seminary, I have taught Catechism in my Parish and during pastorals, this time, it was on a new dimension with a difference.
After handling this ministry in my first place of post as a Curate, these are some of my observations:
1. As we hail the pioneers of our Catholic Church in Ghana for designing such a beautiful Catechism for us, it became evident to me that, even though in the Parish, Chaplaincy, Institution and Facility, the Priest is the teacher of the faith, not forgetting the Bishop of
the Diocese, who is the Chief Catechist of the Diocese, who teaches the authentic
and whole deposit of the Catholic faith with authority as an Apostle. In another vein, parents are the first teachers of the faith at home (the domestic Church: the Church that begins at home, becomes a Christian Community and ends as a Parish, Diocese and so on).
The point is, as Priests and Teachers of the faith, we must initiate, lead, and organise when it comes to Catechism, for that’s our calling and core function. So, we need to prioritize our Parish Catechesis It should be a team and not a one man show. Believe it, I taught with these experienced veteran Catechists and was impressed by the depth of their rich experience, having worked with several Priests with diverse, rich and solid backgrounds and experiences.
2. During Catechesis, as the norm has always been and we all passed through, it was a chew-and-pour thing, where the Catechumens were made to memorise and recite the definitions of the deposits of the faith, the prayers after it had been explained to them.
Usually, a good number of catechumens were put together without grouping them into classes based on their age, the sacrament they were preparing for and their ability to absorb what was being taught due to inadequate personnel, remuneration, facility, learning materials, etc…
As Catholics, let us make the understanding of the faith our primary motive to learners and eschew rote memorisation of the prayers in order to internalize them, and make them our own.
Most often, catechumens recite without understanding, just to pass the Catechism exam to receive the Sacrament. Sadly enough, those who are not ‘oralists’ fail these oral examinations and are refused to sacraments.
3. Most importantly, when one studies the curriculum and course content, looking at this era of Artificial Intelligence and advancement in complicated bioethical concepts, among others, one does not need an expert to suggest the need to reconsider a thorough study and revision of our traditional Catechism booklet which was championed by Archbishops Sarpong, Amissah, Derry, Andoh etc…
Permit me to say, the current manual for Catechism in terms of content is only introductory, theoretical and not adequate enough to address the current storm the Catholic faith faces in this modern era, useful for adults instructions, not to talk about the Catholic Youth.
I think the summarised Baltimore Catechism book by the Pope Benedict XVI in English could be translated and adapted into the Ghanaian Cultural and Pastoral context for a more effective, complete holistic transmission of the faith.
In this regard, I think the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference could task the Catechism or Mission Office of our National Catholic Secretariat to help in this regard.
Let them look at the curriculum, the course content and the reality of the pastoral situation and global challenges that affect the faith, be it from Science and Arts.
4. Do we need to always read books to teach our faith? How easily can our children in Sunday School grasp it and appreciate it?
I personally think children love visuals and audios a lot in their formative years, so puzzles, cards, Bible stories in pictures, and good Christian films like the story of St. Marcelino(e) could make a big impact on the lives of our Catechumens if (they) have the resources.
The children of this century deserve something “new” in approach and, continuity which is modern and Catholic.
Let’s have a good, conducive and permanent children and Youth Recreation Center with Catechism Classes, rich and certified Catholic materials, well-formed Catechists and team animators, with modern electronic devices like projectors, flat-screen TVs, laptops, tablets, podcasts, phones for online sessions etc… to make Catechism Class more interesting, attractive and effective!.
If our children in schools do online classes and assignments, what prohibits us from introducing Catechism online in a case where, due to the nature of work and special circumstances of the parents, it is just extremely difficult and impossible to travel that far to bring the child for in-person Catechism Class in the Parish? That’s where, as Pastors, we need to consider how to help such families.
Most often, you have a parent with four children who wants all of them to receive the Sacrament but looking at the distance between their place of stay and the Parish and the high cost of transport, it becomes practically impossible to bring them even thrice a week for the Class, not to talk about every other day!.
Beloved in Christ!, I hope I am not sounding too foreign, placing heavy burdens on the shoulders of our Church authorities? I think this is the best way to go if we really and truly want positive results. It is not only the task of our Bishops but a collaborated one that, all of us have a role to play, not forgetting our IT Catholic Professionals as I humbly encourage our Catholic Media in Ghana and worldwide to give special attention to Catechism programmes at all levels of Christian growth and maturity.
Thanks for your time, and God richly bless you.
By Rev. Fr. Albert Kyei Danso
