A Filipino translation of the social teachings of the Catholic Church was launched on Oct. 19, to make doctrine more understandable to the laity especially the youth.
“DOCAT,” an amalgam of the words “to do” and “catechism,” compiles Catholic social teachings in the local language.
Translated by former Carmelite nun Jasmine Plana, the book follows the question-and-answer format in discussing the Church’s stance on issues relating to peace, poverty, economy, politics and the environment.
“The reason why there is Docat is for Church teachings to be available to all especially the youth. Sa mahabang panahon, ang mga social teachings na ito ng Simbahan ay hindi napapahalagan o naita-translate into the language of the ordinary people,” Fr. Richard Lagos, national director of Youth and Catechism (Youcat) Philippines, said in a news conference at Ateneo de Manila.
Lagos lamented the distortion of the meaning of life and happiness among the youth. Filipinos, he said, have become nominal Catholics over the years.
San Jose, Nueva Ecija Bishop Roberto Mallari, chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education, said the youth needed to be exposed to God’s words.
“Hindi sapat sa kanila na makinig lang sa Salita [ng Diyos]. Kailangan nila ng magpapatotoo ng buhay Kristiyano at buhay pananampalataya,” Mallari said.
