The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins has asked Catholics to be committed to the task of Catechesis and evangelization, which he said is vital for the Church, as it is the way by which people are brought and educated, and assisted to grow in the faith. Giving this charge during the Catechetical Colloquium of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, with the theme, “Re-evangelisation through the Ministry of Catechesis”, held recently at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Gbaja, Surulere, Lagos, Archbishop Martins noted that through Catechesis, true faith is taught, and passed on from generation to generation. He said: “This is the first time that we are having such a forum in this manner, for this purpose. We have had many forums for Catechesis and Catechists, and Catechism, but this is the first time that this is happening in its own peculiarity and objective.
I believe that we have the Holy Spirit to thank and praise for the enlightenment that brought about this initiative.” The Archbishop commended the religious Education Department, led by Sr. Judith Madueke, Director of Religious Education, and host of the colloquium, for giving the Holy Spirit a fertile ground to plant the initiative. He noted: “In obedience to the mission left for the Church by Christ, our Church has always felt the urgency of Catechesis because Catechesis is the way by which people are brought to the faith. Catechesis is the way by which they are educated in what the faith requires of them. Catechesis is the means by which people are assisted to grow in the faith, which they have embraced. So, the mystery of Catechism or Catechesis is a very vital one for the Church.” He disclosed that many documents of the Church, from the Councils, the Popes and the consulate of the Holy See, have continued to encourage Church leaders, as well as every single member of the Church, to take this mission of Catechesis seriously. “Our duty is to evangelise. And the act of evangelisation is supported and enhanced by the ministry of Catechesis and the work of Catechists.
Through Catechesis, true faith is taught, and is passed on from one generation to another, so that in all generations, we shall have men and women who are inducted into the evangelization team of Jesus”, he emphasised. In his presentation titled “The ministry of priests in Catechesis”, Most Rev. (Dr.) John Oyejola, Catholic Bishop of Oshogbo while noting that Catechism is not an option, but a mission, said that the Church has never failed in the responsibility the founder entrusted to her, to preach the gospel to the entire world. He said: “Catholic Church has a clear understanding of what evangelisation is, and right from the apostolic era, the Church has never failed in this responsibility the founder entrusted to her. Christ gave a clear mandate to the apostles, and by extension to the Church, for all ages to go into the entire world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation.” Bishop Oyejola also urged priests to be good and committed labourers, as he urged them to be actively involved in catechetical activities in their parishes.
“The role of priests is very important in catechesis. Priests should be involved in Catechism. They should work closely, monitor, and provide basic materials for Catechism. Priests should develop good rapport with Catechists, pay them just wages, and treat them well”, he submitted. Speaking on “Catechesis in the light of a changing world: The role of the lay faithful”, Sir Peter Osamgbi, KSJI, said the Church must re-evangelize because of the present crisis of loss of faith that the Church is currently facing, occasioned by immorality in the society. He also noted that it is the responsibility of the clergy, as well as the lay faithful to re-evangelise, adding that Christ had identified in scripture the need to evangelise over 2000 years ago.
