Salesian Priest is honoured by CCBI
The Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) released Directory for Lay Catechists during the 14th National Catechetical Conference at Ashirbhavan, Ernakulam, Kerala on 12 September 2023. The directory was released by Most Rev. Joseph Kalathiparambil SDB, Chairman for CCBI Commission for Catechetics, 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, Fr. Stephen praised Fr. Gilbert Choondal SDB, for preparing the draft of the Directory. Fr. Gilbert was invited to the dais to be honoured in the presence of bishops and 127 commission directors from all the Latin dioceses of India.
The Directory contains directives and norms regarding the identity, formation and the role of lay catechists. It is a set of guidelines, on the vocation and mission o flay catechists in the light the Apostolic Letter of Pope Francis, Antiquum Ministerium, published don 10 May 2021. This directory is the first of its kind in the whole world. This directory provides a roadmap towards the ministry of lay catechists in India. In this era of Synodality, the directory is significant, promoting lay roles more visibly in the Church especially in the ministry of catechesis. Fr. Stephen thanked bishops, theologians and commission members for their valuable feedback to the directory before its publication. The directory is available at Asian Trading Corporation, Bangalore.
