AEC President urges faith formation over instruction

By Klysha Best

President of the Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon has issued a clarion call to catechists across the Caribbean, urging them to move beyond mere religious instruction and embrace the transformative power of the kerygma—the core proclamation of the Christian faith.

Speaking to over 400 participants during a virtual conference on September 5, to mark Catechetical Month, the Archbishop emphasised that the message of Christ’s death, Resurrection, and Second Coming must be “proclaimed and lived in simplicity, clarity, and power” at every stage of faith formation.

“The kerygma is not just an initial step,” he explained. “It is dynamic and must become a lived reality, transforming individuals and society.”

The conference, organised by Bernadette Gopaul-Ramkalawan, coordinator of the AEC Subcommittee for Catechesis, featured a robust discussion on the state of faith formation in the Caribbean. Archbishop Gordon told the participants to assess the faith practices of their communities, asking: “Where are we on the faith continuum?”

He introduced the concept of his topic: ‘Descent of the kerygma’, the work of the Holy Spirit that transforms the objective saving events of Jesus Christ into a subjective certainty within believers.

Participants engaged with the concept, with one participant emphasising that “living the kerygma through actions and relationships is now central to catechising rather than just delivering formal teaching programmes.”

A central theme of the Archbishop’s address was the distinction between faith formation and mere religious instruction. He explained that true faith development requires helping people experience the Paschal Mystery through life crises and daily practices, rather than just teaching content.

“Practice of faith should take priority over instruction,” Archbishop Gordon stressed, noting that children can find religious content online but need to experience faith through living examples.

The conference also addressed the critical role of parents in supporting faith formation at home. Several speakers noted that without parental involvement, children’s faith practices often disappear when they return home. Archbishop Gordon recommended regular parent engagement, including pre-programme meetings and retreats.

He suggested starting with simple practices like daily prayer and meditation, proposing a morning five-minute Christian meditation and evening gratitude prayers for children.

The Archbishop also presented a six-stage model of faith growth, from unconscious sacramental participation to contemplative union. He emphasised that effective faith transmission requires helping people experience interior conversion and allowing the kerygma to descend deeper into their lives through prayer, sacrifice, and relationship with Christ.

The future of the Church depends on catechists who are not just teachers but living witnesses to the transformative power of the Gospel.

The session concluded with participants expressing gratitude for the presentation and its practical insights for catechists during Catechetical Month. The recording of the session was to be made available to all diocesan Catechetical leaders and those who could not attend.