Book: Childhood and Contemporary Catholicism

Gerard Lemos is an Indian born cradle Catholic and sociologist by background, with active roles promoting understanding of the needs of vulnerable people in financial services, prisons, housing, English heritage and the arts, and now through a book called Childhood and Contemporary Catholicism.

His book focuses on the significance of Catholic education in the lives of young people, shaping their moral and spiritual development. The book and the findings, were discussed during a seminar hosted by the Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology, Cambridge on 8 May. Lord Lemos spoke plainly about the need to listen to children and make space for children's voices. thoughts, and dreams to be heard by adults. This has to happen, he said "in order for effective safeguarding of children to happen." This listening connects to the handling of abuse crisis and beyond that into daily life, where children have a need to be heard. Lord Lemos disclosed that he is himself a survivor of abuse that happened to him as a child.

Realising the need for such research and a book to be produced, Baron Lemos spent two years interviewing hundreds of children, teachers, social workers, therapists, from around the world. Based on the research findings, he was keen to emphasise that Catholic Education needs to always be a place where children "flourish" and "develop virtues, compassion, empathy and creativity", as well as "achieving well, academically".

Sadly, in today's society, the Baron reported from his findings, children and young people feel "increasingly isolated, anxious and lonely", developing depression and thoughts of self harm that some children do tragically act upon.

He said that from his research it became clear that countering this deterioration in mental wellbeing is absolutely vital. Part of this is prayer. In his research, many children reported that prayer life, both private personal prayers and family prayer together, as well as the Sacramental journey through Church, are vital to the raising and nurturing children as mature and resilient adults with something positive to offer throughout their lives.

Faith was embraced by the Catholic young people he interviewed, and Lemos reported on the enormous 'Sacramental imagination' amongst young people, a capacity for which contributes to a lively and resilient faith amongst the young.

He said that this resilient and lively faith is at risk of being lost if it is not nurtured through teen years through ministry, education, and formation in families, churches and schools.

Lord Lemos was joined by Chris Bierne, a father and an educationalist with senior roles in schools for over 40 years.

He spoke of the worrying decline in Catholic representation amongst teachers in Primary and Secondary Catholic schools where fewer than 40% of teachers are Catholic.

He said that this demands "a real wake up call to the future direction of Catholic education", leaving questions open about the direction of the curriculum and Catholicism, and the importance and best way forward towards defending the truth, beauty and virtue of the Catholic faith.

A copy of Lord Lemos's book Childhood and Contemporary Catholicism can be ordered or downloaded from https://lemosandcrane.co.uk/

LINKS

Margaret Beaufort Institute: www.mbit.cam.ac.uk/

A filming of the seminar is due to be released here: www.youtube.com/@mbitcambridge