Mangala Jyothi
Diocesan Biblical Catechetical and Liturgical Centre
Diocese Initiates Renewal of Catechetical Syllabus and Methodology
Faith Formation
24 Jul 2026
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Mangaluru, July 23, 2026: A presentation on the Renewal of Children's Catechesis – Syllabus and Methodology in the Diocese of Mangalore was held at the Bishop's House, Mangaluru, for the Senate members of the Diocese. The programme was attended by 45 priests, along with Most Rev. Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore, and Vicar General Msgr. Maxim Lawrence Noronha.
The presentation traced the historical development of the Diocese's catechetical ministry since the Second Vatican Council and highlighted the need to renew the catechetical syllabus and methodology in response to the changing realities and challenges faced by today's children. It proposed a Christ-centred approach rooted in Sacred Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, integrating human experiences, faith reflection, practical application to daily life, and activity-based learning to make catechesis more engaging and transformative.
The Diocese currently serves approximately 21,380 catechism students through the dedicated ministry of nearly 3,400 catechists in 125 parishes and 188 schools. Recognising the importance of strengthening this ministry, a diocesan committee has been constituted to revise the catechetical syllabus and methodology. The committee is headed by Rev. Fr. Rohith D'Costa, Secretary, Commission for Faith Formation.
As part of the programme, the priests were divided into seven groups to prayerfully reflect on the proposed renewal in a synodal spirit, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The group discussions focused on the needs of today's children, the strengths and limitations of the present catechetical programme, and the future direction of faith formation. The deliberations concluded with a common recommendation to revise both the catechetical syllabus and methodology to make them more relevant, participatory, and effective for the present generation.
The presentation received an encouraging response from the priests and marked an important step towards renewing catechetical formation in the Diocese of Mangalore to meet the pastoral needs of the present generation.
The presentation traced the historical development of the Diocese's catechetical ministry since the Second Vatican Council and highlighted the need to renew the catechetical syllabus and methodology in response to the changing realities and challenges faced by today's children. It proposed a Christ-centred approach rooted in Sacred Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, integrating human experiences, faith reflection, practical application to daily life, and activity-based learning to make catechesis more engaging and transformative.
The Diocese currently serves approximately 21,380 catechism students through the dedicated ministry of nearly 3,400 catechists in 125 parishes and 188 schools. Recognising the importance of strengthening this ministry, a diocesan committee has been constituted to revise the catechetical syllabus and methodology. The committee is headed by Rev. Fr. Rohith D'Costa, Secretary, Commission for Faith Formation.
As part of the programme, the priests were divided into seven groups to prayerfully reflect on the proposed renewal in a synodal spirit, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The group discussions focused on the needs of today's children, the strengths and limitations of the present catechetical programme, and the future direction of faith formation. The deliberations concluded with a common recommendation to revise both the catechetical syllabus and methodology to make them more relevant, participatory, and effective for the present generation.
The presentation received an encouraging response from the priests and marked an important step towards renewing catechetical formation in the Diocese of Mangalore to meet the pastoral needs of the present generation.