Beyond the surface

Increasing Irishmen’s awareness of the unique contribution given to society by Catholic schools, encouraging people to express their views on education offered by Church institutions by contacting Bishops via e-mail or letter, announcing the opening of a “Catholic Education Service” for a harmonious perception of Catholic schools, from northern Ireland to the rest of the Island in cooperation with the Ministry of Education concerning Catholic schools management. These are the objectives of the pastoral letter “Vision 08. A vision for Catholic Education in Ireland” published the past few days by Irish bishops and sent to associations involved in the education sector, teachers’ unions, parents’ assemblies, school boards, MPs and politicians. The inclusive nature of Catholic schools. The letter was also translated into Spanish so as to reach the thousands of families of immigrants who arrived in Ireland in the past years and the inclusive nature of schools which intend to be a space of reception for the children of these families. These points were underlined by the bishops in response to polemics raised by those claiming that Church-run institutes exclude non-Irish citizens. Role and identity. The letter begins by defining the identity of Catholic institutes and their role in contemporary Irish society and by recalling the unique contribution of Catholic schools. The institutes run by the Church are guided by a positive concept of the human person founded on Christ’s teaching. “All pupils, whether or not they are religious are important and school exist to facilitate their progress as individuals and members of society”, is written in the document. “Catholic schools propose Jesus as the model of humanity and the measure of human maturity and achievement. They help each student develop their potential as human persons”. “Catholic schools encourage students to go beyond the surface of things in order to recover the true face of God in everyday experience, which reflects the Catholic sacramental vision of life”. The school as a community. The Bishops explained that in Ireland Catholic schools are much more than an institution. Rather, they represent a community, and it’s precisely as members of this community that students reach their full maturity and find happiness and accomplishment in their life. Catholic schools are aware that the youth attending it are part of the tradition and culture of their families and of modern society. Students are given a rich history of knowledge and a vision of life in exchange for which they help build the future which they belong to. Partners in education. The prelates said the letter is the result of the fruitful cooperation between the Bishops Conference, the Conference of religious orders and other partners in Catholic education and that it is addressed to citizens throughout entire Ireland, who are encouraged to participate in debates focused on the future status of Catholic schools. Undoubtedly these schools’ profile will change while they respond to new challenges and opportunities. Catholic schools have always been open to welcome all those who enter their doors. While Ireland is rapidly changing from a homogeneous Country to a multicultural society, school diversity increases. But Catholic education plays a significant role also in a multicultural society. We are aware of this dynamics and we will do our share in helping our schools be places of reception, respect and tolerance. The importance of teachers. “We are aware that the directorate and the teachers are the ones who guarantee our schools’ receptiveness and inclusivess”, the Bishops declared, acknowledging the important work carried out by teachers and boards even in difficult conditions. Teachers in particular have a very important role in the life of the school. “We are grateful to teachers who ought to be supported in their professional lives, especially as relates to their efforts for the promotion of Catholic ethos in our schools”. A new agency. In order to help teachers ensure the regular implementation of Catholic education throughout Ireland, both in the North and South of the Country, based on a univocal approach, the letter announced the opening of an agency for Catholic education, the “Catholic Education Service”. Since “without a vision we have no guidance and no meaning”. “Schools without a vision risk being overwhelmed by different values such as social élitism”.