The importance of the role of the Christian community in accompanying catechumens has been underlined by a recent survey promoted by the French Episcopal Conference’s Service for catechumenate. “From the Christian community’s ability to practice hospitality among its own members is born that of welcoming neophytes: the very credibility of our witness is bound up with this”, says the director of the Service, Msgr. André Dupleix. Three main problems emerged from the questionnaire sent to catechists. The level privileged in the formation of neophytes is the individual one; hence the need for “the community to make itself visible and present in accompanying them in this journey” of Christian initiation. The second problem is the need to place at the centre of formation not only Gospel and Christ, but also “the link between Christ and the Church perceived as a place of the Catholic identity which gives to everyone the sense of belonging to a single body”. Thirdly, better use needs to be made of the time spent on learning about the faith, and being incorporated in the ecclesial community “as an integral part of Christian initiation”. The attention of the Church of France is not only focused on neophytes. The March number of the review Carrefours d’Alsace contains a dossier on those who have dropped out of the Church, but who express a desire to return to it. Births, marriages, illnesses, the death of loved ones, casual meetings: the circumstances that induce such people to resume contacts with the Christian community are various. Three years ago the diocese of Strasbourg created a centre of hospitality and guidance to help them rediscover their faith.
