The Road from Regensburg

FAITH Magazine March – April 2012

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YEAR OF FAITH FROM THE CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH
Virtually every one focuses upon knowledge of the Catechism and the Second Vatican Council

Introduction

... The beginning of the Year of Faith coincides with the ... the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, ... and the twentieth of the promulgation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church ...

The Council, according to Pope John XXIII, wanted "to transmit doctrine, pure and whole ... in a way which corresponds to the needs of our time." From the beginning of his pontificate, Pope Benedict XVI has worked decisively for a correct understanding of the Council ... "the 'hermeneutic of reform', of renewal in the continuity of the one subject-Church" ... Compiled in collaboration with the entire Episcopate of the Catholic Church, this Catechism ... includes "the new and the old (cfr. Mt 13:52) ... to respond to the questions of our age."

Recommendations
There exists a profound bond between the lived faith and its contents ... the following recommendations for the Year of Faith desire to aid both the encounter with Christ through authentic witnesses to faith, and the ever-greater understanding of its contents.

I. On the level of the Universal Church
1.  ... the Ordinary Synod of Bishops ... dedicated to The New Evangelisation for the Transmission of the Christian Faith. 2. ...pilgrimages ... 3. ... recognise the special role of Mary ... 4. ...World Youth Day ... 5. ... conferences ...to encourage encounters with authentic witness to the faith and to promote understanding of the contents of Catholic doctrine.... particularly dedicated to the rediscovery of the teachings of Vatican Council II. 6.... opportunity for all believers to deepen their knowledge of the primary documents of the Second Vatican Council and their study of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. 7. ... more attentive reception of [... teachings] of the Holy Father. 8. ...ecumenicalinitiatives ... 9.....Secretariat [kept] informed ...10. ... a solemn renewal of the profession of faith ...

II.  On the level of Episcopal Conferences
1. ... a day of study ... 2. the wider distribution of [Vatican II and the Catechism] ... 3. enable translations ... 4. ... focusing on the faith, its principles and content, as well as ... the Second Vatican Council. ... 5. ... knowledge of the local Saints ... 6. ... maximise the catechetical potential - possibly with ecumenical cooperation - of the artistic patrimony of the region ... 7. Educators in centres of theological studies, seminaries and Catholic universities ... to demonstrate the relevance ... of the Catechism of the Catholic Church ... 8. ... pamphlets and leaflets of an apologetic nature ... 9.... local catechisms and various catechetical supplements in use in the particular Churches should be examined toensure their complete conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church. ... 10. ... examine ... the Ratio of formation for future priests, ensuring that the contents of the Catechism for the Catholic Church are present.
III. At the Diocesan level
1. ... opening of the Year of Faith and a solemn conclusion ... 2. ... study day on the Catechism of the Catholic Church ... 3. ... a pastoral letter [including] the importance of the Second Vatican Council and of the Catechism of the Catholic Church ... 4. ... catechetical events ... 5. ... review the reception of Vatican Council II and the Catechism of the Catholic Church ... 6. ... The continuing education of the clergy can be focused during this Year of Faith on the documents of Vatican Council II and on the Catechism of the Catholic Church, ... 7. ... penitential celebrations ... 8. ... renewed creative dialogue between faith and reasonin the academic and artistic communities ... especially at Catholic universities, in order to demonstrate that "there cannot be any conflict between faith and genuine science" 9. ... promote encounters with [agnostics and atheists] 10. ... greater attention to Catholic schools ... making use of... the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and Youcat.

IV. At the level of the parish/community/association/ movement
1. ... meditate upon Pope Benedict XVI's Apostolic Letter, Porta fidei. ... 2. ... intensify the celebration of the faith in the liturgy ... 3. ... Priests should devote greater attention to the study of the documents of Vatican Council II and the Catechism of the Catholic Church ... offer cycles of homilies on the faith ... 4. Catechists should hold more firmly to the doctrinal richness of the Catechism of the Catholic Church ... 5. ... distribution of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 6. ... Missions ... 7. ... members of Institutes ... 8. Contemplative communities ... 9. ... Associations and Ecclesial Movements ... 10. ... it is hoped that theentire Christian people will begin a kind of mission toward those with whom they live and work ...

Faith Magazine