LONDON - 5 March 2008 - 230 words
CDF
endorses Lancaster Diocese education plan
Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue has
received the endorsement of the Congregation for the Doctrine
of the Faith (CDF) for his teaching document: 'Fit for
Mission Schools'. Cardinal Levada has also written a foreword
to accompany it.
The Prefect of the CDF expressed his approval of the fact
that 'diligence among parents and teachers in passing on to children
and young people the fundamental truths of God and man is the
key note of 'Fit for Mission Schools''.
Earlier this year both the Congregation for Catholic Education
and the Congregation for Clergy welcomed the Bishop's vision for
Catholic education in the Diocese. Cardinal Levada commends
Bishop Patrick for challenging the major cause of the educational
crisis besetting our Catholic schools and colleges the absence
of truth in society due to the elevation of unquestioned intellectual
and moral relativism.
In his forward, the Prefect for the CDF also congratulates the
Bishop on a clear presentation of the Church's understanding of
Catholic education and goes on to express his delight that 'Fit
for Mission Schools' promotes the use of the Catechism
of the Catholic Church in schools and colleges. Cardinal Levada
agrees that teachers and parents should ground their efforts on
the Four Pillars of the Catechism - The Profession
of Faith; Sacraments; The Moral Life, and, Prayer - as the fundamental
sources which should inform the life, faith, and ethos of Catholic
education.
Cardinal Levada concludes: "It is to be hoped that others will follow the example of the Diocese of Lancaster in establishing educational and pastoral programmes that implement the Catechism of the Catholic Church as the fundamental guarantee for keeping Christ's Gospel whole and alive in their schools and colleges".
Bishop Patrick said: "It is a great
honour that the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of
the Faith has personally written such kind words about our vision
for education. I never imagined that my brother bishops, who hold
such high office in the Holy See, would give it such attention.
My one hope is that Catholic schools and colleges are able to
counter the relativism among our young people and families that
makes the deepening of faith so difficult.:
The Catholic Truth Society have published an expanded version
of Fit for Mission? Schools. Do 779. £ 6.95. 02076400042.
© Independent Catholic News 2008
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