International Webinar on Catechesis

International webinar entitled ‘Catechesis at the service of New Evangelization’ was organized by Don Bosco Global Education on 18th March 2024, bringing together the expertise of the Chair for Christian studies, Calicut University and the Pontifical Faculty of Education Sciences – Auxilium, Rome.
Rt. Rev. Dr. Andrews Thazhath, the Archbishop of Thrissur Archdiocese, Kerala, inaugurated the meeting while Dr. Fr. Paul Pulikkan, the Director of the Chair for Christian Studies, Calicut University presided over the programme. The President of Pontifical Faculty of Auxilium, Dr. Sr. Piera Ruffinato FMA, gave the orientation. It was Dr. Fr. Raju Chakkanattu SDB, the member of the Board of Studies of the Chair for Christian studies, Calicut University and the Director of the Don Bosco Global Education, the one who moderated the webinar. The theme paper was presented by Dr. Sr. Josmy Jose FMA, from the Auxilium faculty, Rome.
In his inaugural address Archbishop Andrews Thazhath spoke about the need to update the evangelization process in such a way that it is more accessible for the younger generations. Dr. Paul Pulikkan highlighted the processes of cultural encounter and interreligious dialogue in which we are already immersed in. Quoting different recent Popes Dr. Sr. Josmy emphasized the need to present the Gospel values and truths to the people today. It is not about creating a new gospel but rather finding newer ways to preach the same gospel, in a more comprehensible and acceptable manner; underscored Sr. Josmy.
Dr. Fr. Raju Chakkanattu emphasized the fact that it was one of the rarest, if not the first, instances, in which a Pontifical Faculty in Rome is getting involved in a programme with a secular University in Kerala. He congratulated both the universities for being open to collaboration and creation of common programmes as a maturing of partnership for the future. The webinar highlighted the need to create forums and ways where questions about faith and catechetics from the youth be answered in a professional way.