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| Vatican Support For Bishop O'Donoghue's Initiative; Schools "Fit for Mission" programme | |
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| Topic Started: Monday, 31. December 2007, 18:03 (1,409 Views) | |
| Deleted User | Monday, 31. December 2007, 18:03 Post #1 |
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LANCASTER - 30 December 2007 - 320 words Vatican welcomes Bishop O'Donoghue's Fit For Mission schools document Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue of Lancaster Diocese(UK) has received the endorsement of the Congregation for Clergy, Rome, for his recent teaching document, 'Fit for Mission? Schools'. The Congregation further express the hope that it will become 'an example for other Dioceses in the country in their implementation of the General Directory for Catechesis and the Catechism of the Catholic Church in their individual ecclesiastical jurisdiction'. Archbishop Mauro Piacenza, Secretary for the Congregation for Clergy, has sent the Congregation,s congratulations to Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue for his 'courageous examination of the state of evangelisation and catechesis in the diocese of Lancaster's schools and colleges' - among other things, and for developing a positive programme for action in harmony with the General Directory for Catechesis and the other operative Magisterial documents. Furthermore, Archbishop Mauro Piacenza wrote in his letter of 15 December, 'The Congregation is especially pleased as your pastoral plan is precisely that which was called for in the "General Directory for Catechesis after the release of the "Catechism of the Catholic Church'. The Dicastery wished the Bishop well in the implementation of the Fit for Mission? Schools programme, which will be developed throughout the diocese during 2008. In the New Year, the diocese,s Education Centre will facilitate and co-ordinate further consultation and implementation of the action plan among primary and secondary schools, and colleges. This will culminate in a diocesan conference in November 2008 to discuss the progress of Fit for Mission? Schools over the year. Bishop Patrick is most encouraged to receive the support the Congregation for Clergy for Fit for Mission? Schools. He said: "To be honest, I have been overwhelmed by the positive response! Before Christmas, my office was inundated with congratulations, enquiries, and requests for copies of Fit for Mission? Schools from within the diocese, from around the country and internationally". The Bishop's Office in Lancaster has received requests from the United States, Canada, Australia, France, and Malta. Source: Lancaster Diocese © Independent Catholic News 2007 (used with permission) Fit for Mission pdf. KatyA |
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| Lilo | Monday, 31. December 2007, 19:18 Post #2 |
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I've located a couple of references to this topic: http://whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com/20...ion-review.html http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/ukcorresponde...7/lancaster.htm I'm interested - very interested. That said, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. What will this initiative look like five or ten years down the road? Dare we hope that the good bishop can pull it off AND that it will spread beyond one diocese? |
The root problem in a lot of bad catechesis is ultimately not ignorance, but pride. ~ Mark Shea![]()
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| Clare | Monday, 31. December 2007, 19:58 Post #3 |
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Putting the "Fun Dame" into Fundamentalist
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S.A.G. Motes 'n' Beams blog Join in the Fun Trivia Quiz! | |
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| Quicunque vult | Monday, 31. December 2007, 23:27 Post #4 |
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This is indeed very encouraging. Regrettably, though, it appears to have incurred the wrath of our increasingly totalitarian-minded MPs - see yesterday's Observer report This may be a real crunch issue for us all. QV |
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| Deleted User | Monday, 31. December 2007, 23:33 Post #5 |
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I had not seen that report QV. Words fail me.
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/sto...2233421,00.html Perhaps our Bishops should claim protection under the UN's recently passed "Combating defamation of religions" resolution . |
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| Rose of York | Tuesday, 1. January 2008, 00:37 Post #6 |
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Lilo, to fill you in about those blogs, and for the information of all our members who are not from the UK.
Bishop O'Donogue inherited the debt from his predecessor. Auditors warned that if the diocese did not take remedial action the diocese would be bankrupt within six years. In this country, bankruptcy leads to loss of money, land and buildings sufficient to cover all debts. The previous bishop had appointed trustees who were not equipped to run the financial side of a large organisation. They and the then bishop had spent money as though it grew on trees. On the advice of auditors Bishop O'Donohue appointed new trustees who have appropriate qualifications and professional experience. St Walburge's Church in Ashton, Preston is famous for its architectural features. The building is what we call Grade II Listed, which it means it is protected by law from being changed without permission. Places like Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London and pre Reformation Cathedrals are Grade I. St Walburge's was designed by the leading Victorian church architect, Augustus Pugin. Bishop O'Donohue has announced it is to close and be sold. Preston centre is almost 100% muslim. Few Catholics live in the area surrounding that church, which needs structural repairs and the money is just not there.
I do believe the good bishop is saying spiritual health is more important than structural soundness of buildings. Pictures of Saint Waldeburgh's |
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Keep the Faith! | |
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| Rose of York | Tuesday, 1. January 2008, 00:45 Post #7 |
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Catholics are taxpayers. The Church contributes 10% towards the cost of the schools. We save the Government a lot of money. If the bishops closed all the Catholic schools the State schools would not cope. How come Catholic schools in general get such high academic results if the teachers have time to brainwash the pupils? |
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Keep the Faith! | |
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| Michaeljohn | Tuesday, 1. January 2008, 00:52 Post #8 |
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"If you prick us, do we not bleed?" (Shakespeare, M of V) And if you try to undermine Christian morality are you surprised when the Church fights back? Well. actually, yes you are, because you're so used to the half-hearted, wishy-washy, all things to all men, attitude of the Anglican hierarchy and too many of the Catholic hierarchy as well. If we are at least starting to send out the message that "the times they are a-changing" it's long overdue. It will be interesting to see The Tablet's take on this one come this weekend! Rose -- I'd be a wee bit careful about quoting "high academic results" if I were you. The last three years stats (primary and secondary) in England & Wales (and for Scotland as well) show no significant statistical variation from the norm for a given socio-economic background. If you have information to the contrary then it is not coming through in the LA breakdowns. |
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| Gerard | Tuesday, 1. January 2008, 09:07 Post #9 |
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It was always going to reach the point that our backs were against the wall and we would have no option but to stand up for our faith. I hope this is it. I also hope we dont fight in the flesh but in The Spirit. Gerry |
| "The institutional and charismatic aspects are quasi coessential to the Church's constitution" (Pope John Paul II, 1998). | |
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| Quicunque vult | Tuesday, 1. January 2008, 09:31 Post #10 |
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The Government would be open to serious legal challenge if it took any action against Catholic teaching in schools. Article 2 of the First Protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights says:[My emphasis] The Convention has direct force of law in this country through the Human Rights Act 1988, and so any challenge can be pursued in the UK courts. Where's the collecting tin? QV |
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| Rose of York | Tuesday, 1. January 2008, 14:36 Post #11 |
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Of course the Government wants rid of "Faith Schools". If they pressure the churches and the synagogues into backing down, diluting religious instruction to appease government, that will prevent the muslims exercising their right in law to have State funded muslim schools. Muslims are unlikely to permit instruction in "safe sex", "how to put on a condom" or "how to have an abortion without your parents knowledge". They want the minds of all children to be formed by the State. What better way than to discourage religion? |
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Keep the Faith! | |
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| Shell | Wednesday, 2. January 2008, 18:54 Post #12 |
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I certainly hope the bishop stands firm against the bizarre MP Barry Sheerman and his band of bullies. I worry that already the good bishop is back peddling having said he is not trying to indoctrinate anyone. Poor word choice. Just because the idiot MP's don't understand the meaning of teaching doctrine doesn't mean he should play them at their game. I am also concerned that CMOC is playing his own political games and busy trying to stifle Damian Thompson and will not stand by Bishop O'Donogue. I do not believe this is a bishop strong enough to stand alone-but we can pray and see. Meanwhile the Govt are pushing sex ed into Catholic primary schools against the wishes of the parents and staff. Even as a homeschooler I am quite willing to fight for my friend's rights to send their children to a school that is truly Catholic-if one existed near me I might be willing to send my kids to school. |
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| PJD | Wednesday, 2. January 2008, 20:54 Post #13 |
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QUOTE No person shall be denied the right to education. In the exercise of any functions which it assumes in relation to education and to teaching, the State shall respect the right of parents to ensure such education and teaching in conformity with their own religions and philosophical convictions. Let's hope they are out of office before that stage is reached. PJD |
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| Quicunque vult | Thursday, 3. January 2008, 10:04 Post #14 |
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PJD Yes, indeed! QV |
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| Joseph | Thursday, 3. January 2008, 16:49 Post #15 |
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I believe Bishop O'Donoghue's Fit For Mission initiative is the most positive and promising move we have had in our local Church for many years. May God bless him and grant him the wherewithal and support he needs to bring his project to fruition and may it be spread rapidly throughout the country - for it is long overdue. http://www.lancasterrcdiocese.org.uk/missi...hool-report.pdf |
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Joseph | |
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