Continuing his work in Kyiv, the Bishops of the Permanent Synod listened to a report by Mr. Nazar Duda, Deputy Head of the Patriarchal Catechetical Commission, on the current state of catechetical ministry in the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and its perspectives.
One of the regular items on the agenda of the Permanent Synod’s meetings is a report on the implementation of its decrees and decisions. Last year, during September 2-11, the Bishops of the Holy Synod reflected on the theme “God’s Word and Catechism.” In his report, Mr. Nazar Duda began with an analysis of the decrees’ implementation at all levels of church life: from living parishes to eparchies, exarchates and archeparchies of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
As a separate point, the speaker highlighted the development of cooperation between the Patriarchal Catechetical Commission and the catechetical commissions of dioceses and exarchates. In addition, Mr. Duda presented a wide-ranging panorama of tasks in the formational sphere, facing our Church today in its catechetical service. Among such tasks is the development of new catechetical materials which reflect the latest challenges in contemporary society; formation of catechists and teachers of Christian ethics, which should take place continuously; formation of the clergy through seminary education and institutes of permanent formation. The speaker reiterated that it is the priest/pastor who is first called to initiate and oversee catechetical ministry in their parishes, involving parents and families, capable catechists and teachers, children, youth and adults.
In addition, the Deputy Head of the Patriarchal Catechetical Commission presented the current state of youth catechism. In turn, the Bishops of the Permanent Synod engaged the Theological Department of the UGCC in the work of developing new and relevant content for catechetical books.
After the report, the Bishops stressed the increased challenges facing the Church today, which it can answer precisely through its catechetical ministry for all ages and levels of the population. Again, here it is worth mentioning the need for continuing catechization, which should embrace not only children and youth, but adults as well.
Having finished the meeting, the members of the Permanent Synod had an opportunity to get acquainted with the premises of the Patriarchal Curia and the Curia of the Kyiv Archeparchy, in particular, the future synodal halls. They then adjourned to the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ where, in the crypt, they jointly prayed for the repose of the soul of His Beatitude + Lubomyr Husar.
Press Office of the Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC