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Catholic Bishop in Angola Directs Parishes to Set Up “appropriate” Catechesis Facilities

Bishop Maurício Agostinho Camuto of Caxito Diocese in Angola. Credit: Radio Ecclesia

Bishop Maurício Agostinho Camuto of Caxito Diocese in Angola has directed Catholic Parishes in his Episcopal See to work towards establishing “appropriate” facilities for catechesis that would see an end to having catechetical classes under trees.

In his October message dedicated to mission, Bishop Camuto says, “Let the Parishes get concerned with creating facilities for catechesis; let's avoid outdoors, and the holding of catechetical classes under trees.”

“We criticize the current conditions in which the religious instructions for the children take place; in many provinces we find children learning under trees,” the Angolan Catholic Bishop emphasizes in his Monday, October 2 message.

He adds, “Let's improve our methods of teaching catechesis; let the parishes take care to set up catechism rooms, because catechesis under a tree is distracting; it distracts the children. Let's create appropriate places for teaching the doctrine of Christ.”

“Let's try to give greater dignity to this lifelong learning, because it is said that what is learned in the cradle lasts a lifetime, right up to the coffin,” Bishop Camuto further said, adding, “By doing so, the seed will fall in a good place, in good soil, and we will then have good fruit.”

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The Angolan member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit under the protection of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CSSp.), also known as the Spiritans or Holy Ghost Fathers goes on to underline the value of “a good disposition” in the evangelization process.

“The Word of God must find a good disposition in those who receive it. To teach the word of God is to sow the good seed, to guide people to build their lives on the rock of truth. And a life built in this way will be able to withstand the various contrary and disorienting winds that man encounters throughout his life,” he says.

The Spiritan Bishop, who has been at the helm of Caxito Diocese since his Episcopal Consecration in August 2020 continues, “If we sow good seeds in children from the start, they will be able to build their lives according to God's plan, according to God's heart, and we will have renewed men, new men who will also be witnesses to love, witnesses to forgiveness, witnesses to charity.”

On September 17, Bishop Camuto challenged Catechists in his Episcopal See to consider revising their methods of reaching catechism, to facilitate a better understanding of the Church doctrine as they practice their vocation in this era and time.

João Vissesse is an Angolan Journalist with a passion and rich experience in Catholic Church Communication and Media Apostolate.