Major Themes in the Directory for Catechesis: Transcription of an "Echoing Faith Today" Podcast Conversation with Archbishop Rino Fisichella, Dicastery for Evangelization, Rome, October 19, 2020

Abstract

Major Themes in the Directory for CatechesisTranscription of an "Echoing Faith Today" Podcast Conversation with Archbishop Rino Fisichella, Dicastery for Evangelization, Rome, October 19, 2020 Archbishop Rino Fisichella (bio) and Jem Sullivan (bio) Dr. Jem Sullivan: Welcome to Echoing Faith Today, a podcast conversation on themes of impact and relevance in the new Directory for Catechesis from the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization. (Note: Dicastery for Evangelization since June 2022). I'm Dr. Jem Sullivan, host and faculty in the School of Theology and Religious Studies at The Catholic University of America. On this podcast, we hear from scholars, experts, and those serving on the front lines of pastoral ministry. So, welcome back. And thank you for taking your place at this table of conversation. Dr. Jem Sullivan: In this podcast, it is my privilege to welcome His Excellency, Archbishop Rino Fisichella, president of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization. Archbishop Fisichella was a professor of fundamental theology for twenty years at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, and served as Rector of the Pontifical Lateran University. In 2010, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him to serve as the first President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization. In 2013, he was appointed President of the International Council for Catechesis. In June 2020, Archbishop Fisichella presented the Directory for Catechesis to the universal Church at a Vatican press conference. Archbishop Fisichella joins us from Rome to discuss the new Directory for Catechesis. Your Excellency, thank you very much for joining us today from Rome. Welcome to the podcast. I'm grateful for your time and we look forward to learning about the Directory for Catechesis. [End Page 203] Archbishop Rino Fisichella: Thank you for inviting me. My greetings to all who are following this podcast conversation. Dr. Jem Sullivan: This long-awaited Directory for Catechesis has twelve chapters divided into three parts, and today we focus on its major themes. But first, a general question. At the press conference to present the Directory for Catechesis you noted that the publication of a catechetical directory is a joyful event in the life of the Church. Please share with our listeners how the publication of this directory is a moment of joyful hope for the Church today. Archbishop Rino Fisichella: I will say that the publication of this catechetical directory is a joyful event because it shows the dynamic nature of catechesis in the life of the Church. Catechesis cannot be static. Catechesis should be a dynamic event in the Church. We should remember the beautiful expression in Lumen Gentium, the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, when the Council Fathers wrote, "Ecclesia semper reformanda." That means the Church always needs development. And this catechetical directory is part of that process and should be understood, first of all, within this process of development. This is the third directory, so we have continuity in the development of catechesis. Because catechesis does not remain on one side of the life of the Church, but belongs to the heart, to the center of the Christian life. Dr. Jem Sullivan: When you speak of continuity, we are reminded that there is continuity and innovation that marks this catechetical directory. When you presented the directory to the universal Church you offered theological, ecclesial and cultural reasons for a new directory. What are the distinct needs of the Church today that shaped this catechetical directory? Archbishop Rino Fisichella: We should consider two main points in order to understand the redaction and also the originality of this directory. First of all, I will note the cultural context, and secondly, the ecclesial context in the life of the Church during the last twenty years. I think the first point is very important, especially for the future and for new generations, and in order to understand the originality of the directory. We face a very big challenge in the form of digital culture. Normally, we don't think about it. We use [End Page 204] it as an instrument and we forget that behind the instruments, we have a very original and powerful cultural reality. There is a difference from the...