NEWS
CCBI releases Directory for Lay Catechists; Honours Salesian Priest
The Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) released the Directory for Lay Catechists during the 14th National Catechetical Conference at Ashirbhavan, Kochi, Kerala, on September 12. The Directory was released by Most Rev Joseph Kalathiparambil SDB, Chairman of CCBI Commission for Catechetics, Most Rev George Palliparampil, the Bishop of Miao, in the presence of Most Rev Aplinar Senapati CM, Bishop of Raygada and Rev Dr. Stephen Alathara Deputy Secretary General of CCBI.
While introducing the Directory, Father Stephen praised Father Gilbert Choondal SDB for preparing the draft. Father Choondal was invited to the dais to be honoured by bishops and 127 commission directors from all the Latin dioceses of India.
The Directory contains directives and norms regarding identity, formation and role of lay catechists. It is a set of guidelines on the vocation and mission of lay catechists in the light of the Apostolic Letter of Pope Francis, Antiquum Ministerium, published on May 10, 2021. This Directory is the first of its kind in the whole world. The Directory provides a roadmap towards the ministry of lay catechists in India. In this era of Synodality, the Directory is significant, promoting the lay roles more visibly in the Church, especially in the ministry of catechesis. Father Stephen thanked bishops, theologians and commission members for their valuable feedback on the Directory before its publication. The Directory is available at Asian Trading Corporation, Bangalore.
NEWS TRACKER: RELATED NEWS ON THIS CLASSIFICATION
