This is a center for human, spiritual, religious, and life formation; established over 35 years ago, it emerged from the Latin Patriarchate’s vision to nurture the Christian faith of the Church’s children. The center is located within the offices of the Patriarchal Vicariate / Latin Archbishopric in Amman, Sweifieh, and bears the name “Catechetical Office.”
Through the Latin Patriarchate parishes in Jordan and other Catholic churches, this center seeks to serve all Catholic Christian groups, including teachers and students within schools, and youth groups such as Scouts and JEC (Jeunesse Etudiante Catholique), in addition to its focus on Christian families through religious and educational courses. Furthermore, the center offers religious pilgrimages (both within Jordan and abroad) that embody faith in the reality of life, effectively bringing the Word of the Savior to fruition on the ground.
In cooperation with the General Secretariat of Schools, the Jesuit Center, Bethlehem University, and private schools that teach Christian education, the center continues to deliver spiritual, human, and academic dimensions to the largest possible number of people of all ages. Years ago, the center began the formation of adults and religious education teachers under the name “St. Cyril.” About ten years ago, in cooperation with Bethlehem University, a new foundation was established to teach religious education academically, through which students receive a Religious Qualification Certificate from the university. Additionally, in cooperation with several donors, the center has begun equipping dedicated catechetical rooms in schools to ensure the success of the educational process and its effective delivery.
In support of the Latin Patriarchate’s vision in Jordan, the Center has been mandated with the following responsibilities:
Providing educational courses for all groups.
Encouraging the Christian faithful to participate in regular spiritual retreat programs.
Supervising Christian education teachers in schools and monitoring the progress of religious classes.
Strengthening the specific ecclesiastical identity of each church while training the faithful to remain open to ecumenism.
Organizing workshops for catechists and others based on identified needs.
Preparing sacramental preparation books for First Holy Communion, Confirmation, and other liturgical resources.
Activating a dedicated website for the Center to spread the message of salvation.
Producing short videos that convey the Divine Teacher’s message in a simplified manner for the faithful.
Maintaining and updating a comprehensive database for school teachers.
Providing supplementary materials for pastoral and church work, both for classroom use and within parishes.
Furthermore, in a significant and forward-thinking step, His Excellency Bishop Jamal Khader established a General Assembly for the Catechetical Center over the past two years to serve a three-year term. This assembly includes various spiritual and lay figures representing their institutions or serving in a personal capacity. They meet twice a year, or more as needed, to review the Office’s strategic plan and provide counsel on vital matters.
Furthermore, a committee was established to serve on a voluntary basis for a three-year term. Following the distribution of duties, its role is to accelerate achievements and provide support to the Office’s operations, ensuring the message of Jesus Christ reaches the greatest number of faithful in Jordan.
Catechetical Committee
Father Majdi Nazmi: Director of the Catechetical Office and the Jesuit Center in Jordan.
Mr. George Ziyadeh: Secretary of the Catechetical Office.
Father Abdullah Dababneh: Central Region Coordinator.
Father Khaled Qamoh: Southern Region Coordinator.
Father Wajdi Sahawneh: Northern Region Coordinator.
Sister Nadine Sha’ban: Sisters of the Rosary.
Mr. Ibrahim Muslim: Former Secretary General of the Christian Youth in Jordan (JEC).
Mr. Raed Khoury: Teacher at the Jesuit Center.
Sister Sana’ Samawi: Franciscan Sisters.
Sister Rosemary Al-Namri: Sisters of the Rosary.
Ms. Alia Sa’ad: Educator and Administrator.
A Vision of Hope for the Future
Expanding the Office’s outreach beyond teachers and students to encompass the widest possible segments of society.
Introducing new elements to the Center’s operations, including volunteers and staff, to organize efforts and distribute responsibilities in fulfillment of the mission.
Developing diverse, structured, and consistent courses at both the parish and school levels.
Identifying specialized and permanent lecturers for educational sessions.
Launching the publication of magazines, brochures, and booklets that benefit the community and advance the Center’s horizons.
Continuing to organize pilgrimages to the Holy Land and religious and archaeological sites both within Jordan and abroad.
Sustaining the organization of spiritual retreats aligned with the liturgical seasons throughout the year.
Establishing a fully independent formation center dedicated to serving and nurturing priestly and religious vocations for youth and late vocations.
Supporting the education of our young men and women at universities in Lebanon or Rome for specialized study and service, for the well-being of the Church in Jordan.
Seeking to upgrade the current Religious Qualification Certificate from Bethlehem University into a Diploma for those pursuing religious studies by increasing the credit hours and years of study required.
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© 2026 Latin Patriarchate – Jordan.”