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Vatican Support For Bishop O'Donoghue's Initiative; Schools "Fit for Mission" programme
Topic Started: Monday, 31. December 2007, 18:03 (1,409 Views)
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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
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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
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Putting the "Fun Dame" into Fundamentalist
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UK Catholic Bishop to Schools: Lessons on Sex, Contraception Etc May Not be Presented as "Neutral Info"
Mandates greater focus on the basics of Catholic teaching; "concerned" about mixed messages on sexual activity

By Hilary White

LANCASTER, UK, December 12, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Catholic bishop of Lancaster in the north west of England, has issued a set of instructions to the schools in his diocese to say they must become more focussed on the Catholic faith, including on key life and family issues, "at a time when Catholic education is being challenged by some."

Catholic schools must become more Catholic, wrote Patrick O'Donoghue in the instructions, titled "Fit for Mission," that were issued last week and described as "radical" in the Catholic press.

The instructions are based on "four pillars" based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church, given by the bishop as the foundation of Catholic education. "The Profession of Faith" of the Apostles' Creed, the sacraments, the Catholic teaching on the moral life and prayer.

The instruction specifically admonishes schools to "always teach sex within the sacrament of marriage." With sex education being made compulsory by government, the bishop writes that he is "concerned" that students are being given mixed messages about sexual activity. He writes that it "paramount" to teach about sex only within the context of "the Church's teaching on sexuality and the sacrament of marriage".

"The secular view on sex outside of marriage, artificial contraception, sexually transmitted disease, including HIV and AIDs, and abortion may not be presented as neutral information." Schools in his diocese must follow principles set out by Church documents. The instruction says, "No material of an erotic nature must be presented either individually or in a group and sexual instruction must respect modesty and pupils own sensitivity or sense of privacy."

On bringing pro-abortion and other anti-life speakers into schools, the bishop's language is even stronger, saying that "under no circumstances" can outside speakers be brought into the schools who are "not fully qualified to speak on behalf of the Catholic Church... on sexual or any other matter involving faith and morals." The bishop unambiguously prohibited his schools from promoting charities that support "anti-life policies" such as Red Nose Day and Amnesty International.

He writes that schools "have an important part to play" in teaching students how to judge "issues of justice and peace...such as the emerging 'culture of death', [and] the promotion of a so called 'human rights' culture that infringes religious liberty".

Under the last section, parents who had been urging Catholic schools to refocus on the basics, will be encouraged to see the bishop has relied on traditional elements such as adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, the Rosary, the lives of saints and mediation on scripture.

Daphne McLeod, Chairman of the Catholic lay organisation, Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, said that the bishop's initiative is "very promising." The group works to encourage greater adherence to doctrine in Catholic institutions. Mcleod told LifeSiteNews.com, "We're very pleased about it. He is admitting that there is room for improvement and is doing something about it." McLeod said the failings of religious instruction in the Catholic schools in Britain have been noted for years by parents who are increasingly choosing to join the small but growing ranks of homeschoolers.

"It's the same in all the dioceses," she said, because of two texts for religious instruction, approved by the bishops for use in all Catholic schools, "Here I Am" for primary children and "Icons" for secondary students. McLeod called these "inadequate" not for what was included but for what is left out.

"The term 'sanctifying grace' has been banned in Catholics schools for years and Bishop O'Donoghue is specifically instructing that it be taught," she said. "I know a teacher who was sacked for teaching the Rosary and he wants to teach the Rosary. It's very encouraging."
S.A.G.

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Quicunque vult

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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I had not seen that report QV. Words fail me.
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Roman Catholic bishops are to appear in front of a powerful committee of MPs amid fears that they are pushing a fundamentalist brand of their religion in schools. Bishops have called on parents, teachers and priests to strengthen the role of religion in education. In one case the Bishop of Lancaster, Patrick O'Donoghue, instructed Catholic schools across much of north-west England to stop 'safe-sex' education and place crucifixes in all classrooms.

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
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Lilo
Dec 31 2007, 06:18 PM
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?

Lilo, to fill you in about those blogs, and for the information of all our members who are not from the UK.

whispers in the loggia blog
 

The bishop helming the effort, Patrick O'Donoghue of Lancaster, waxed candid in a local interview:

    "We have become too concerned about buildings and money. I think we have lost our way, lost our vision."...

    The Bishop of Lancaster fears this disconnection poses a much greater threat to the church than its £10m of debt or its crumbling buildings across the diocese.

    And now he wants to know what congregations from St Walburge's Church in Ashton, Preston, right up to Christ the King in Carlisle, Cumbria, want to do about it.


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.

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He adds: "What you will not find here is a great programme – rather it is a summons to radical change in each one of us, our parish and diocese, making us all more open to the Lord."

O'Donoghue's kickoff letter is also up:

    My passion for Mission - making Christ known and loved - continues to grow.... I believe that we are tantalisingly near great new beginnings in the Church if only we capture something of the spirit of the Gospel - a deepening of Faith, coupled with confidence to know that Christ walks every step with us. He invites you and me - to cast out into the deep for without Him we will catch nothing.

    What will this mean? Not only during Lent, but all of the time, it will mean change and this can be uncomfortable. We are being asked to look hard at those things in life that prevent us from coming close to the Lord. Where should we invest our energies - in the passing and fleeting things of this world or in the eternal? Our parishes, too, must look to what encourages or impedes mission. Could it be that we are investing more in buildings, structures and all sorts of things rather than in people? How can we make ourselves fit for mission? I said that change is difficult - indeed it can be a Cross - but once accepted and when truly of the Lord, it brings great joy and a wonderful freedom....



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May the investment bear many happy returns.


I do believe the good bishop is saying spiritual health is more important than structural soundness of buildings.

Pictures of Saint Waldeburgh's






Keep the Faith!

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Rose of York
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KatyA
Dec 31 2007, 10:33 PM

Quote:
 

The report has outraged non-religious groups, who accused the bishop of trying to 'indoctrinate' pupils. In a letter to Secretary of State Ed Balls, the National Secular Society wrote: 'What happened to a well-rounded education - which is what British state schools are supposed to provide?' Keith Porteous Wood, executive director of the society, said: 'I do not think the state should be funding Catholic indoctrination.' He highlighted a poll released by the US group Catholics for a Free Choice showing that most Catholics across the world believed using condoms was pro-life because it prevented the spread of HIV and Aids.


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?
Keep the Faith!

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Michaeljohn

"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

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

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:

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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.
[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
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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?
Keep the Faith!

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Shell

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

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

PJD

Yes, indeed!

QV
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Joseph

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

Joseph
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