I've got a very critical streak in my nature. I also like to call a spade a shovel, and say it like I see it... which means that I can be somewhat lacking in tact. I have also been a little scathing towards one or two of our Bishops...
Being scathing towards the episcopate has an honourable history: St. Teresa of Avila and St. Catherine of Siena didn't exactly mince their words when they felt that their Lordships were lacking in backbone... but, alas, I am no saint, and perhaps I should moderate my tone... just a tad.
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Because of my tendency to be critical, I was delighted to hear about the latest initiative from Lancashire. Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue has drawn up a plan to ensure that children at Catholic schools learn about Catholicism. He's drawn up a 68-page booklet to help headteachers in the diocese's schools and colleges. The document is called "
Fit for Mission? Schools: See With His Eyes, Love With His Heart, Share In His Virtues." I was going to link to it, but the
Diocesan Website doesn't seem to be working...
Initially, I was a little sceptical. Another booklet. A
long one. With a long title. I felt a sense of
déjà vu stealing over me. Been there. Read the books. Nothing happened.
However, the Diocesan Director of Education, Fr. Luiz Ruscillo, persuaded me that this was not just more of the same old stuff. He was very enthusiastic, and told me that, while the emphasis was on spirituality rather than academic targets, that spirituality was going to be firmly based on the Truths of the Catholic Faith. All Religious Education in Catholic Schools would be taught around the four pillars outlined in the Catechism: The Profession of Faith, Sacraments, The Moral Life and Prayer. The role of Foundation Governors was going to be more carefully defined. Headteachers and teachers would be expected to support the teachings of the Church. Whole-school Masses would be celebrated, at least two per term. Sex Education would be rooted entirely in Church teaching. Outside Agencies would not be able to promote any views contrary to Catholic doctrine. And there would be no truck with the Government's agenda of promoting homosexuality as an acceptable lifestyle choice...
And just to make sure that the schools are doing more than just paying lip-service to that little lot, the Section 48 Inspections are being re-vamped so that they assess how well the schools address the new policy. Fr. Luiz, as Diocesan Director of Education, is in charge of Section 48 Inspections...
This is the best bit of news about Catholic Education that I've heard in a long time, and Bishop O'Donoghue is to be congratulated on taking this on.
...I wonder if they need Science teachers in Lancaster...?