Extend Christian Faith Education to “everyday life and every space”: Catholic Bishop in Angola to Catechists

“It is unacceptable for anyone with un-Christian or anti-social behavior to serve as a Catechist. I cannot accept that a Catechist would be involved in immoral or criminal activities, such as robbing people on the streets, and then appear on Saturday or Sunday to teach catechism,” he explained. 

The Angolan Catholic Bishop, who started his Episcopal Ministry in February 2022 following his November 2021 appointment further said that the credibility of Catechists lies in their ability to witness in word and deed.  

“Everything about a Catechist must reflect their testimony of life,” he said.

He reminded the Catechists that their mission extends beyond the walls of the Church and beyond the designated catechetical hours. “It is a lifelong commitment that should be evident in how you live, how you interact with others, and how you reflect Christ in your everyday actions.”

Bishop Binga also underscored the importance of engaging and dynamic catechesis, noting that outdated methods of teaching the faith are no longer effective. 

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“Catechesis is not about memorizing questions and answers. It must be alive, rooted in the storytelling that Jesus used in His parables, like the Good Samaritan or the rich man and Lazarus,” he said.

He went on to encourage Catechists to incorporate modern and relatable stories into their lessons, drawing from everyday experiences that resonate with their learners. 

“The stories we tell in catechesis don’t have to be from biblical times alone. They can be stories from our daily lives—things that happen in the marketplace, at the beach, or in the schoolyard—that can help people better understand and live out their faith,” Bishop Binga said.

He added, “A well-prepared Catechist must be kind, welcoming, and full of creativity and initiative. Without this, children and learners will soon find catechism boring and lose interest. It is about transmitting hope, love, and the promise of eternal life.”

The core mission of Catechists is to proclaim the love of God revealed in Jesus Christ, he said.

Proclaiming, the Catholic Bishop went on to say, “means speaking so that others can hear, but what are we proclaiming? We are sharing the love of God that was fully manifested in Jesus Christ, through His Passion, Death, and Resurrection.”

He further said, “The Catechist is the one who proclaims the mystery of the Trinity. The Son came into the world to do the Father’s will and entered the world through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Son who died on the cross gave His life and shed His blood for us.”

Bishop Binga called upon Catechists to be attuned to contemporary challenges, with many people distancing themselves from the Church. 

“There are many people today who no longer have time to think about God or come to church. Some even feel ashamed to come to church, just as some are embarrassed to get married because they believe they do not have the means to do so,” he said.

Bishop Binga urged Catechists to be attentive to the needs and concerns of the people they serve, just as Moses was attentive to the murmurs of the Israelites in the desert. 

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“We must be mindful of the struggles and doubts of the people we serve, offering them a way back to God through love and understanding,” the Angolan Catholic Bishop said on September 14.

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