Cambodia: National Catechetical Center Trains Catechists in Updated Teaching Methods

The St. Irenaeus Catechetical Center of Cambodia, the Catholic Church's national catechetical center based in Phnom Penh, organized a one-day workshop on "Catechetical Pedagogy" on June 20 to strengthen catechists' teaching methods in line with Church guidelines.

The workshop was held at St. Joseph's Church in Trapeang Kranhoung, located in Takeo Province in southern Cambodia. It brought together 32 participants, including priests and catechists from the Takeo Pastoral Zone.

The program focused on introducing the latest generation of catechetical textbooks, which have been developed for learners of all ages, from children and young people to adults. Participants also received practical training on how to use the updated materials effectively in parish-based faith formation.

Fr. Charles Ekuwam Lechipan, coordinator of the Takeo Pastoral Zone, welcomed the initiative and emphasized its importance for the local Church.

"Within the Takeo Pastoral Zone, we have eight parishes providing faith formation at different levels," he said. "This workshop is very important because it helps our catechists better understand how to use these newly updated catechetical resources."

Fr. Charles also highlighted the pastoral challenges faced by some parishes in Takeo Province, where many elderly Catholics are unable to read or write, making textbook-based instruction difficult.

He said discussions with the St. Irenaeus Catechetical Center introduced catechists to more flexible and adaptable teaching methods that will enable them to continue accompanying and instructing elderly faithful despite these challenges.

To promote the long-term growth of faith formation, Fr. Charles requested that the St. Irenaeus Catechetical Center organize similar orientation and training sessions at least twice a year for the eight parishes in the Takeo Pastoral Zone.

Concluding the workshop, he offered prayers for the staff of the St. Irenaeus Catechetical Center and for all catechists, asking God to grant them physical and spiritual strength as they continue their mission of leading Catholics and those seeking the faith to a deeper knowledge of Jesus Christ.