October last, Pope Benedict issued the Apostolic Letter Porta fidei
declaring a Year of Faith. He then charged the Congregation for the Doctrine of the
Faith with preparing pastoral recommendations for the Year, which according to Wednesday’s
communiqué, after consultations with other Vatican dicasteries and ecclesial bodies
will be issued in full on Saturday, January 7th.
The communiqué, however, already
gives an overview of the Notes contents. Firstly it highlights that the beginning
of the Year - 11 October 2012 – coincides with the 50th anniversary of the opening
of Vatican Council II and the twentieth anniversary of the promulgation of the Catechism
of the Catholic Church, and in short, these should be the backbone of all pastoral
activity. The Year of Faith is an opportunity to reacquaint today’s generation of
Catholics with them – many of whom are unfamiliar with both.
To assist in
the correct understanding of the Vatican Council II, the communiqué cites the next
General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on The New Evangelisation for the Transmission
of the Christian Faith.
It also states that from the outset of his Pontificate
Pope Benedict has strived to encourage “a correct understanding of the Council rejecting
as erroneous the so-called "hermeneutic of discontinuity and rupture" and promoting
what he himself has termed "the 'hermeneutic of reform', of renewal in continuity.”.
According to the CDF communiqué, the Catechism of the Catholic Church is an
integral part of that "renewal in continuity", because it embraces “the old
and traditional order of the catechesis”, but at the same time expresses it in “a
new way, in order to respond to the questions of our own times”.
Finally,
the communiqué says the pastoral recommendationscontained in the Note
are aimed at four groups: the Universal Church, Episcopal Conferences,
Dioceses and Parishes, Communities, Associations, Movements
Practical
suggestions include a greater focus on the quality of the teaching of the faith and
an examination of local catechism as well as a greater use of the mass media and art,
with a focus on the faith, its principles and content and the ecclesial significance
of Vatican Council II.
A Secretariat to coordinate all of the different initiatives
will be established within the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation
which will also open a dedicated website.