Hosted by the Catechetical Committee of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea (CBCK) and organized by the Don Bosco Youth Spirituality Pastoral Research Institute (Director: Fr. Moise Yun Mangeun, SDB), this symposium was prepared to explore practical applications of the Guidelines for the Formation of Sunday School Catechists in the Korean Catholic Church, newly promulgated in September 2024. Over 130 pastoral ministers and catechists from various dioceses across the country attended, showing keen interest.
Morning Session: From Papal Admonitions to a 26-Year Field Testimony
The symposium began at 9:30 a.m. with a welcoming address and keynote speech by Bishop John Baptist Jeong Sinchol, the Chairman of the CBCK Catechetical Committee. Bishop John referred to Pope Francis’s Directory for Catechesis (2020) and the Motu Proprio Antiquum Ministerium (2021), which established the ministry of catechist, emphasizing, “A catechist must be understood not as a simple volunteer, but as a ‘vocation’ participating in the Church’s mission of evangelization.” He added, “I hope these guidelines become a process of discernment for catechists to rediscover their identity and mission, responding to God’s call.”
Following this, Dr Lee Jin-ok of the Don Bosco Youth Spirituality Pastoral Research Institute, who led the research and writing of the guidelines, presented the first lecture on the ‘Current Status of Sunday School Catechist Formation in Korea.’ Based on a survey of 15 dioceses, Dr. Lee pointed out a “gap between diocesan systematic formation systems, the interest level of parish priests, and the practical (spiritual) needs of catechists in the field,” stressing the need for “continuous and qualitative” formation rather than ‘one-off’ training.
In the second lecture, ‘Proposals for Utilizing the Formation Guidelines,’ Fr. Kim Jun-hee (Director of Sunday School, Seoul Archdiocese Youth Department) proposed that “formation must not stop at transferring skills like how to write lesson plans.” He suggested, “An ‘integrated approach’ encompassing theology, pedagogy, and psychology is necessary to establish the catechist’s own identity and role.”
The final morning lecture was given by Clara Park Moran (Incheon Diocese), a lay catechist with 26 years of experience, who shared her vivid testimony from the field. As Park had personally received the ‘Ministry of Catechist’ from Pope Francis during the Jubilee for Catechists on January 21, her presentation resonated deeply, highlighting the sense of mission a catechist must have as a ‘companion in faith.’
Afternoon Session: “Communication and the Parish Priest’s Interest are Key”
The afternoon continued with 10 small group discussions followed by a general discussion. Participants shared on-the-ground difficulties and sought ways to activate the guidelines.
Key issues commonly raised in the general discussion included: a lack of ‘communication’ between the diocese and parishes; a shortage of ‘interest from parish priests,’ which often determines the success or failure of catechist formation; and conflicts between parish youth group activities and the ministry of catechists.
One participant, in particular, drew significant agreement by pointing out, “For the past 10 years, the most common request from the field has been for ‘lesson plan materials,’ but this is a secondary issue compared to the spiritual maturity the guidelines aim for.” He emphasized, “Spiritual support that nurtures the catechist’s own faith must take precedence over any material provision.”
Furthermore, the moderator (Fr. Kim Yong-su, Incheon Diocese) made an impromptu proposal that the Salesian Society, with its deep history and tradition in catechesis, could host nationwide, phased (step-by-step) formation programs for catechists, a suggestion that was met with loud applause from the audience.
In his concluding remarks, Fr. Moise Yun Mangeun emphasized that although the guidelines may seem overdue, they clearly call for the Korean Church to lower the boundaries between dioceses and respond in an integrated manner.
The symposium served as a venue to confirm how the new theoretical map of the ‘Formation Guidelines’ must meet the needs of the field. Participants concluded the event in agreement that catechist formation must move forward as a continuous process focusing on the catechist’s ‘identity’ and ‘spirituality.’
Source: AustraLasia
