Fr Athanase Joseph, parish priest of Most Pure Heart of Mary Church, Bexon, Castries, St Lucia, was appointed Director of Catechetics for the Archdiocese of Castries.

Fr Joseph replaces Mrs Angel who held the position since 1998. Mrs Angel retired last year.

Fr Joseph studied Education Science with a specialisation in Catechetics for three years at the Salestine University, Rome. He graduated in October 2004, with a licentiate (Masters) degree in Education.

His thesis was entitled “A Critical Analysis of the Methods Used in Catechetical Textbooks in the Archdiocese of Castries, St Lucia.”

As Director of Catechetics Fr Joseph will
(a) coordinate the catechetical programme of the archdiocese including all formation programmes, such as First Communion, Confirmation and Post-Confirmation;
(b) organise and coordinate training programmes for catechists;
(c) visit parishes to meet with parish priests in their role as chief catechists of the parish, as well as with other collaborators in parish formation programmes.
(Catholic Chronicle)