The production of catechetical series in
various media, either in print, video, audio, or in multimedia through the
internet, had increase recently, more particularly in the latter. This is due
to the availability of wide range and cheap means of media productions. Information
dissemination, for example, through social media such as in facebook, twitter,
instagram, etc. had become a common phenomenon today. Time and again, as one
surfs the walls of his FB account, he would see picture text explaining
doctrines and dogmas of the Catholic faith. Catechetical materials proliferate
in the internet today. In fact, even catechetical apps are available, to
receive regular updates on faith and the Church. Thus, there is the
commencement of information, especially catechetical data, explosion in today’s
world more particularly in the cyber space.
With the advent of the usage of internet as one
of the means to catechize, one may question the validity and effectiveness of
the materials uploaded for catechetical use. Are they effective and affective
enough to communicate the faith to their consumers? With this context at hand,
let us look on the case of the Katolisismo Catechetical Series produced
by the Catechetical Foundation of the Archdiocese of Manila (CFAM). To guide us
in our inquiry to the effectiveness and affectivity of these materials, we will
use the National Catechetical Directory of the Philippines (NCDP) as our lens
in looking at these materials, particularly the emphasis it gives on the three
depositories of faith: Sacred Scriptures, Tradition and Magisterium, and the
sensitivity on the various Filipino contexts.
The Tanging kay Jesukristo
Catechetical Series produced by the Catechetical Foundation of the Archdiocese
of Manila (CFAM)
As Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI opened the year
of faith during the liturgical year 2012-2013, the Catechetical Foundation of
the Archdiocese of Manila (CFAM) had produced and released a catechetical
series entitled Katolisismo. These series are posted on the internet
through the official website of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the
Philippines (CBCP) coordinating committee for the celebration of the Year of
Faith in the country (www.yearoffaith.ph). These are also posted on the
official website of the CFAM (www.cfamphil.org). Furthermore, these
catechetical materials are promoted by linking them with various social media sites
e.g. FB, Twitter, Blogspots etc.
CFAM’s Katolisismo series discusses
the Seven Sacraments in the Catholic Church. It is primarily presented in a
picture text layout, downloadable in PDF file format. It is divided into eight separate
documents, which includes general introductions to the sacraments and
discussions on the seven sacraments per se. CFAM uses Filipino as the
language of instruction. Thus it is presupposed that the desired consumers of
the material are Filipinos. Being a catechetical material produced in the Year
of Faith, the series aims to poster and enrich the Christian faith. This end is
realized through discussions and reflections on the realities of the sacraments
in the life of the Filipino. It has, as its primary sources, the Sacred
Scripture, Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), and Catechism for the
Filipino Catholics (CFC).
Each document is divided into three
sub-topics, namely, Ang Kalagayan ng mga Pinoy, Ang Turo ng Simbahan,
and Ang Hamon sa mga Pinoy. These sub-topics can be roughly translated
as Filipino Context, Catholic Doctrines, and the Challenge to the Filipinos.
The Ang Kalagayan ng mga Pinoy
presents the situation and background where the topic that is to be discussed
is set today. It is the introduction part of the entire document. This part
posts frequently asked questions regarding the topics, misconceptions, nuances
between what the Church teaches and what the people believes. For example on
the introduction on the General Introduction on the Sacraments, CFAM begins its
discussion by posting the following realities surrounding the sacraments:
May mga nagrereklamo:
·
Maliit pa
ako nang ako’y binyagan…hindi ko alam ang kahulugan nito.
·
Nakapagkumpisal
ako nang hindi ko ganap na nalalaman kung ano ang kasalanan.
·
Tumanggap
ako ng komunyon nang hindi nauunawaan kung paaanong si Jesus ay naroon.
Ikaw may mga raklamo ka rin ba? Bakit may mga
Sakramento kung hindi naman natin ganap na nauuunawaan ang mga ito? Sagutin
natin ang tanong na ito sa tulong ng Salita ng Diyos at turo ng Simbahan.[1]
The discussions and instructions begin in
very concrete realities from which the readers can relate. In this manner, the
topic is put to the conscious of the readers by tickle their minds with the
things that truly concern them, on which they can say something about, and
which later they can own.
Ang Turo ng Simbahan follows the presentation of the concrete
realities facing the particular sacrament. It uses the Sacred Scriptures and
Church Doctrines to answer the questions posted on the previous part. It
expounds the discussion of on a sacrament through direct quotations from the
Sacred Scriptures. These Scriptural passages correspond to the biblical
foundations and basis of the Sacraments. This inclusion of biblical passages as
foundation and basis of the sacraments can be viewed as a response of the local
Church to the growing number of evangelicals who anchor their preaching on the
Bible, and accuse the Catholic Church, and her teachings and doctrines as
something that have no biblical basis. Through the eight separate documents,
CFAM gives prominence and importance on the Word of God as the basis of the
Catechism. The purpose and importance of the sacraments are even derived from
and based on the Sacred Scriptures. On the sacrament of Baptism, for example, the
passages are used to explain the necessity of baptism.
Ang Binyag ay kailangan sa kaligtasan. Sinabi
ni Jesus sa Kanyang mga Apostoles bago Siya umakyat sa Ama ( cf Mateo 28:19)
“Humayo kayo at gawin ninyong alagad Ko ang lahat ng bansa. Binyagan ninyo sila
sa ngalan ng Ama at ng Anak at ng Espiritu Santo.” Sinabi pa Niya : “Maliban na
ang tao ay ipanganak sa tubig at sa Espiritu, hindi siya paghaharian ng Diyos.”
(Juan 3: 5) Sa Ebanghelyo naman ni San Markos, sinasabi: “Ang sumasampalataya
at mabinyagan ay maliligtas; ngunit ang hindi sumampalataya ay parurusahan.”
(16:16)[2]
This portion of the catechetical materials
also point out the dogmatic and doctrinal teaching of the Church vis-a-vis the Sacred Tradition
surrounding the concerned teaching. On the sacrament of the confirmation, for
example, CFAM attempts to gives the etymology of the word ‘confirmation’ to
explain further the sacrament itself:
Tinatawag ang Sakramentong ito na Krismasion,
pagpapahid ng may krisma o mayroon na siyang “Krisma”. Tinatawag din itongn
“confirmation” nangangahulugan ng confirmasyon o pagpapatibay ng Binyag. Ang
Kumpil ay ang Sakramento na nagbibigay ng mga biyaya ng Espiritu Santo upang
tayo ay maging ganap na Kristiyano at saksi ni Kristo sa salita at gawa,
hanggang sa kamatayan. Pinatitibay nito at pinatatatag ang mga biyayang
tinanggap sa Binyag.[3]
Through the use of the Sacred Scripture and
Sacred Tradition, CFAM is able to illustrate the solid foundation on which the
Sacraments in the Catholic Church stand. That indeed the Sacraments and the
other doctrines and beliefs of the Church are not creates by persons throughout
the ages. Indeed, the faith given to us is a faith received and written by
persons inspired by the Holy Spirit and hand-over from one generation to other,
either in written or unwritten manner, either through the Scriptures or
Tradition.
The Hamon
sa mga Pinoy serves as the concluding part of the catechetical material. It
puts forward challenges that Filipino Catholics need to address in their local
communities or in their own lives. It has a reflective and meditative tone, so
much so that the readers are encouraged to be in silent for a moment and ask
themselves the questions and challenges provided. On the document on the
sacrament of matrimony, CFAM emphasizes the relevant and immediate issues
involved:
Ang unang hamon sa bawat mag-asawang Pinoy ay
ang pagpaplano ng pamilya. Ang ikalawang hamon ay ang kabanalan ng kasal. Kung
ikaw ay isang dalaga o binata , handa ka na bang magpakasal? Paano mo ito
pinaghahandaan? Kung ikaw ay kasal na sa sibil, kailan mo binabalak na
magpakasal sa Simbahan ? Kung ikaw ay kasal sa Simbahan, paano mo aalagaan ang
iyong buhay may asawa ? Ipagdasal natin ang lahat ng may asawa lalo na yong mga
bagong kasal.[4]
In the organization of the materials for each
document, CFAM follows the order of Morals-Doctrine-Worship, instead of the
traditionally and usual order of Doctrine-Morals-Worship. It is similar with
that of the CFC. It takes into consideration the reality in the Philippine
context of the separation of moral life from the life in faith and in the
Church. The Doctrinal part is sandwiched between morals and worship to give
emphasis on the integral character it possesses. That indeed it can be
incorporated in the very life the faithful lives. This thrust is further
promoted by the concrete and experiential data gathered and presented in the
materials such as those mentioned as an example above.
The Catechetical Significance
The Katolisismo
Catechetical Series produced by CFAM has a great catechetical significance
for Filipino Catholics in the Year of Faith. Its discussions on the sacraments
are divided mainly into three sub-divisions namely Ang Kalagayan ng mga
Pinoy, Ang Turo ng Simbahan, and Ang Hamon sa mga Pinoy. These subdivisions facilitate to a more
effective and affective approach on the sacraments for the Filipino Catholics
in need of catechesis on the said topics. Each subdivision serves as avenue for
CFAM to communicate the faith in a manner close to the hearts of the Filipino
Catholics. It allows the CFAM to include experiences that affects and concerns
the readers in their day to day lives. The manner of arrangement and
presentation of the data gathered also contributes to its efficiency in
delivering the message of faith and touching the lives of the Filipinos. It
begins with the concrete and experiential leading to a more abstract and
guiding principles provided by the Church, in this case the truths about the sacraments.
These abstract principles can be applied on concrete experiences and not merely
inventions of Churchmen. This can be proven through the concluding part of the
materials, wherein the readers are challenged by reflective and meditative
questions to apply the truths of faith in their lives.
Often the Church
is accused of being detached from the realities of the lives of the faithful.
Others would say the Church something that floats in the air and finds
difficulty touching down the ground. But through the critical arrangement used
by CFAM in presenting the Sacraments, this can be disproved. What the Church
says on faith and morals are true in the ancient times and all the more today.
The beliefs and the teachings the Church preaches remain to be relevant.
The use of the
three depositories of faith, namely the Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition and
the Magisterium proved to be of great help in boosting the credibility and
truthfulness of our beliefs on the sacraments as means instituted by Christ
Himself to dispense grace. This can be viewed in an apologetic point of view.
As mentioned above, the growth of evangelical communities and biblical
fundamentalists necessitates us to bring forth the richness of our beliefs in
terms of biblical foundations and sustenance.
Conclusion
The Katolisismo
Catechetical Series produced by the CFAM is a great help for us all,
catechists, catechumens, preachers, religious and clerics. It is an effective
tool in preaching and discussing the truths about the sacraments. It is an
affective to the Filipino Catholics as it touches their lives through the
concrete experiences and applications it provides. In the era of information
explosion, especially catechetical information, the CFAM’s Katolisimo Catechetical Series proved to be one among those
catechetical materials that are effective in preaching the Word of God, and
touching the lives of the Filipino Catholics and the likes.
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