Springtime for Adult Formation in A&B?

Spring was delayed this year and, like a forgetful aunt, arrived gushing, arms full of gifts; the bright blue skies, daffodils and crocuses everywhere, lambs gambolling, nascent green shoots poking their heads up from the soil, baby buds on the trees.

A great time for new beginnings I thought yesterday as I drove to DABCEC, which sounds vaguely military - but really is just the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton Christian Education Centre in Crawley, Sussex.

The invitation was brief...’Calling all who have studied theology, catechesis or RE at Certificate, Diploma or Degree level...join Bishop Kieran, Professor Kate Williamson and your fellow students/graduates...in prayer, conversation and celebration.’

Debating at the tables

About 75 of us assembled, wondering what we had let ourselves in for. Surely this had to be more than just a celebration. And so it proved. We were herded into a (former school) gymnasium/assembly hall, directed to sit around a dozen tables and asked to discuss with our fellow guests a couple of general questions about formation...Ho hum.

Then Dr. Kate Williamson took the floor. Dr. Kate is the much beloved and greatly respected doyenne of theology and religious education in the A&B diocese. She spoke of the need to share our heritage, the historical understanding and development of the faith. Focusing on adult formation, she mentioned the renaissance provided by Vatican II, the yeoman spadework of the Bishops’ Commission of England & Wales, and the fruit of initiatives like RENEW, launched in A&B diocese a few years back.

This success has bred a new generation of catechists – with a higher proportion of men then heretofore - who contribute much to parish life. However, the parish community model can also be limiting and inward-looking. Also, the impetus may be faltering and it is time for new beginnings, for another springtime in the diocese.

Kate’s prescription was to establish ‘ring-fenced’ spaces in which people can reflect on their faith, together with a structure to pass on the knowledge and understanding of that faith. This structure should use forms of communications that persuade rather than instruct, that rely on informed consent rather than obedience, and that lead to an infectious joy in living and sharing Christ’s message - rather than the undertaking of a half-hearted duty.

Feedback(Dr. Kate seated, Bishop Kieran standing)

The audience then discussed the proposal and reported back to Dr. Kate and Bishop Kieran on their conclusions. There were a number of interesting ideas but, again and again, the presenters emphasised the two key themes that they had just heard: open discussion of the faith, what works and what does not, what is clear and accepted, as well as what is neither clear nor accepted; and a neutral, non-technical language for debate and sharing.

Bishop Kieran, who has an innate knack of capturing the mood and essence of meetings, used the simile of the Rugby Sevens to explain his perspective. He even carried the example through to what he forewarned us would be a thirty-second homily in the Mass that followed.

The meeting potentially foreshadows some exciting times if we are bold enough to meet the challenge. The faith, grounded in truth and tradition, has no fear of debate. As Jesus said (John 8:32) ‘...know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’ Roll on the springtime of adult formation.