Don Francesco Vanotti offers reflection on catechesis at Diocese of Catanzaro-Squillace Assembly

Don Francesco Vanotti shared reflections on transforming catechesis during the diocesan assembly of Catanzaro-Squillace. Vanotti, who serves as the director of the catechetical office for the Diocese of Como, provided the local Church with directions for discerning how to approach Christian initiation.

Vanotti suggested that changing catechisms, teaching materials, or meeting schedules is insufficient for true change. He argued that effective catechesis depends on how a Christian community accompanies people toward faith and its own ability to be transformed by the Gospel.

A central part of his presentation involved moving from a logic of projects to a logic of processes. Vanotti noted that while Italian pastoral work has long relied on ten year projects, modern life and the needs of new generations change too quickly for such long term plans to remain effective. He explained that a process accepts longer timelines, works with existing experiences, supports experimentation, and relies on continuous verification rather than attempting to apply a single definitive model everywhere.