Catechism is the path to national unity in Lebanon
Beirut (AsiaNews) The catechism is the "sure path to national and inter-Christian unity" in Lebanon, said Francis Baissari, chairman of the Lebanese Episcopal Commission for the Catechesis in commenting the National Catechism Day to AsiaNews. This year's event, which was held yesterday alongside the General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, had for theme "Jesus: Bread of Life for the Salvation of the World".
Mgr Baissari reiterated the need to offer "overall" training to committed lay catechists "acting for the cause of the Gospel". He stressed the "great merit" of the more than 30 centres across Lebanon which "provide the right and necessary training to future catechists".
He said though that the Commission is facing difficulties "at many levels". "One should not underestimate the impact of the paucity of texts in the Arabic-language library. Most books on theological and spiritual matters are in Western languages. Despite our financial difficulties, we should better endow the library and provide assistance, however modest, to trainers and teachers".
Teaching the catechism in public schools is another problem. In predominantly Christian schools, "the catechism can cause clashes", whilst in predominantly Muslim schools "we must take into consideration the fact that Christian pupils are required to follow Muslim religious training". This means "having to defend pupils' Christian faith, and in some case, reintroduce Christian values in their lives".
The prelate urged all school leaders to "assume their responsibilities and offer the right support to the National Catechism Commission" which with its presence shows the "need to maintain alive the Christian flame in a Middle East under so many threats".
Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Sfeir, also spoke yesterday about the National Catechism Day during the solemn Eucharistic celebration at Our Lady of Lebanon basilica in Harissa. In addition to more than a hundred priests involved in catechistic pastoral and two thousands catechists involved in teaching in public schools, ten bishops and superior generals from religious orders took part in the function.
Patriarch Sfeir stressed the importance of the catechesis, because "man cannot believe in Jesus without knowing Him" and without the catechesis Christian life "remains sterile".
He reiterated the need to provide catechists the necessary spiritual and human training worthy of their mission". "The catechist is a man of faith," he said.
He also appealed to parents, who play an "irreplaceable role" and who "must encourage their children to receive an adequate catechesis that can enlighten their faith in Christ."
"You must be the first trainers because life and religious practice are irreplaceable," he noted.
"The family must be experienced as a home church, where the child learns the first catechesis".
Upon the urging of the Episcopal Commission, the faithful who took part in Sunday's celebrations raised funds to help the catechesis, parishes, schools, catechists and religious trainers.
There are more than 1,500 public schools in Lebanon and the Church provides training and remuneration to more than 2,000 catechists.
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