Delegates of the catechetical sectors of the Episcopal Conferences held their annual meeting in Malta from the 10th to the 12th of March 2026. The delegates came from Italy, Portugal, Spain and Malta.
The meetings focused on the catechetical work being carried out in the nation. Reflections were also developed on the challenges that the process of Christian Initiation entails at this historical moment, particularly in Southern Europe.
This is the fifth time that Episcopal Commissions responsible for catechesis in Southern Europe have met. The first meeting took place in Madrid in 2022 and has since been held annually. It was followed by meetings in Lisbon, Rome and Jerez de la Frontera in Spain.
Christian Initiation and the Family
The rediscovery of the centrality of the family in the process of Christian Initiation was one of the most important themes that were reflected upon during the meetings.
The discussion highlighted the shared need to address the initiation into the faith of children and adolescents and their families from a catechumenal perspective, making it more of a process that promotes and enhances the encounter with Jesus Christ, through the support of the entire Christian community. The contributions of the participants demonstrated that these Churches are seeking ways to implement this vision pastorally.
Participants also expressed a common interest in deepening and further developing pastoral and catechetical accompaniment for families, spanning from the immediate post-baptismal phase of their children to the beginning of catechetical formation in their respective parish communities.
Ritual for the Christian Initiation of Adults
Many participants underlined the importance of a fuller and stronger presentation of the Ritual for the Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) to priests and catechists in each nation, as a privileged ecclesial path leading to the “generation” of new Christians.
