Sources of Catechetics

1. What is considered as the primary sources of Catechetics?

Based on the Philippine Catechetical Directory, Sacred Scriptures and Tradition are considered as the primary sources for Catechetics. It is the Scripture because it is the Word of God, which was written through inspiration. If it is then inspired by God, then, we can’t deny the infallibility of its content. The Scripture plays a primary role in teaching the Word of God for it is not only inspired but it touches the human heart. In other words, it is not only informative but formative, which will help the hearers not only to follow Christ (Sequela Christi) but to imitate Christ (Persona Christi).

Another primary source of Catechetics is the Tradition. First, tradition entails the handing down of practices to every generation. However, for the Church, tradition is not confined merely by historical facts but of the inspiring intervention of the Holy Spirit especially in its work of maintaining and preserving the immensity of God’s love for his beloved creatures. It was already revealed in the Scripture yet it must be passed down to other people so that the Word of God may be spread. Faith that is transformed into doctrine, life and worship must be transmitted to every generation however its interpretation is entrusted to the Magisterium, the teaching office of the Church. Through Apostolic succession we rightly claim that the Church was founded through Peter, when Jesus entrusted to him the key of the Kingdom of God. Thus, we maintain the tradition of our being in communion with God and unity among all people.

2. What is considered as the secondary source of Catechetics?

The secondary source of Catechetics is Christian witness and Filipino culture. We refer here to those Filipinos who have been a living proof of the authenticity and moralistic life of the Christian faith. They can be a source because they can be an inspiration and encouragement to others, who also search for God, through their great commitment and fidelity to Christ. By their exemplary lives they are the living witnesses of the authenticity of God’s love for man and woman. If we have people like them, then, catechetics had been successful with its goal that the instructed faith is transformed into a lived faith, wherein they have imitated the life and teachings of Jesus Christ as such.

3. How are these sources related to and build up each other so as to effect an organic, coherent and integral content for Catechesis?        

The term ‘primary’ and ‘secondary’ sources may create a hierarchy of terms however it does not mean that the other is greater than the first. I think these sources are very much interrelated by virtue of their being inspired by the Holy Spirit. They are bonded by the powerful work the Holy Spirit, which is according to Evangelii Nuntiande is the soul of evangelization, wherein Catechesis is one of its means. Through this they are naturally interrelated yet in a divine manner.

They are coherent because one without the other is ineffective in its purpose. The primary source is likely to be compared as an ideal instruction while the secondary is on praxis. Secondary source is the fruit of what has been rooted in the primary source, namely, the Scripture and Tradition. Effective Catechesis is shown best when people lived it by following and imitating Christ.

The sources are related in content because the center of their teaching is Christ. The Christocentricity of the sources matters most since through him God’s plan was revealed in order for us to follow and live.