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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 (1,413 Views)
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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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More plaudits for Bishop O'Donaghue
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Bishop O'Donoghue of Lancaster has received a ringing endorsement for his documents "Fit for Mission? Schools" and "Fit for Mission? Church", from the Secretary of the Congregation for the Clergy, Archbishop Mauro Piacenza. (Catechetics is one of the key responsibilities of this congregation.)

Fr Finigan has a translation of the actual document from CFC on his blog, together with a dispassionate review of the Archbishop's achievements
Hermeneutic of Community
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The Catholic Herald has an interview with Bishop O'Donague
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His most recent document, a 92-page document entitled Fit for Mission? Church, was a serious examination of the Church's direction over the last 40 years, which left no one - laity, clergy and even the hierarchy - without blame for the loss of Catholic identity and the Church's rapid decline. But it also offered a hopeful vision for the Church's future as it advocated a return to reverent liturgy, strong catechesis, obedience to Rome and a re-examination of what it means to be Catholic.
Bishop O'Donoghue, who is due to retire when he turns 75 this May, answers questions in the sitting room of his humble ground-floor flat next to Lancaster Cathedral. He explains that he issued his critique now because he had become more and more aware of the Church's problems during his ministry as bishop.

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"I think that we expect too much of baptism, but do not follow through with prayer in the family, living a Christian life and giving our children an experience of the Faith on one side and on the other, there is simply not enough strong teaching of the Faith. We are merely custodians of the Truth that the Church offers through Christ and we have a duty to pass that on."

Link to article
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Joseph

Zenit Interview Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue 29 Oct 2008


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...In this interview with ZENIT, Bishop O'Donoghue explains what led him to write the document, why he thinks Vatican II has been misinterpreted, and how authentic Catholic renewal can be achieved.

Q: Why did you feel it was necessary to produce such a comprehensive critique on the Church in England and Wales now?

Bishop O'Donoghue: Similar to the rest of the Catholic Church, the Diocese of Lancaster has had successes in its implementation of the decisions of the Second Vatican Council, but also a variety of problems. These I frankly lay out in my document so we can at last talk about them openly and honestly.

For too long, bishops and people have been inhibited about openly admitting the sickness in the Church, and wider society, caused by misinterpretations of the Council, and the corresponding widespread dissent. If we fail in our duty of presenting the truths of the faith, it is not only the Church that suffers, but also wider society.

However, I can see signs that this reticence to speak out about the misinterpretation of the Council is changing under the leadership of Pope Benedict XVI, with more bishops -- particularly in the United States -- going public about the need to heal the wounds in the Church...

Link to Interview Report:- http://www.zenit.org/article-24098?l=english

Another excellent interview concerning this bold initiative.

The Catholic Truth Society's expanded edition of "Fit for Mission? Church"
has also now been published and is available from:- http://www.cts-online.org.uk

I received my copy through the post yesterday, so that's my weekend reading sorted :grin:
Joseph
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Rose of York
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Joseph am I correct in thinking Bishop O'Donoghue is about to retire? If so I hope he continues to speak openly on matters affecting Catholics.

Apart from the teaching in schools, there is little catechesis available for adults. My husband, a convert of over twenty years standing, says he has learnt more from EWTN in a few months than he has been able to learn in parishes. That is a compliment to Mother Angelica's team and an indictment of our leaders in England and Wales.
Keep the Faith!

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Joseph

Rose of York
Saturday, 1. November 2008, 00:45
Joseph am I correct in thinking Bishop O'Donoghue is about to retire? If so I hope he continues to speak openly on matters affecting Catholics...

Sadly yes, Rose. According to that excellent Catholic Herald interview above:-

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Bishop O'Donoghue, who is due to retire when he turns 75 this May... and ...Bishop O'Donoghue still hasn't had a chance to plan his retirement properly, but knows he won't stay in Lancaster because he doesn't want to be a nuisance to his successor. Whether he returns to his native Ireland or to London, where he spent most of his career, he is not sure yet, but he would like to serve in a parish and, if possible, do some hospital work.

He is not only a fine bishop; it is no insult to say that one can also envisage him as a marvellous parish priest.
He will be a great loss to our UK Church if greater use is not made of talents in retirement, I feel, but I suppose a lot really depends on how effective his Mission turns out to be, long term.

I find it very sad that his initiative has not been taken up enthusiastically throughout the land. I believe it is something that is long overdue.
Edited by Joseph, Saturday, 1. November 2008, 01:14.
Joseph
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Karin
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Karin
I've been following this iniative from over here in the States for the past couple of years. My friend, Father Valentine Farrell, pastor at Holy Family in Blackpool has posted the information on his parish web page and his blog for me to keep updated. I know the Diocese of Lancaster has gone through a lot of changes in the past few years and for Bishop O'Donoghue to have written such a magnificent work on the state of the Church and its mission in the world, is a testament to the strength of his convictions, his desire to make things right again and to give hope for the entire Church as we face seemingly insurmountable problems of the 21st Century. This declaration took a very long time for the Bishop to write, and you can tell because it contains a plethora of information, plus his deep feelings about the new direction for the Church. No one can write such a statement without a lot of introspection. He knows of where he speaks.

One of these days, I want to re-read the article, line for line. I feel the Church is headed in an excellent direction if we have the courage of a Bishop O'Donoghue to guide us - at least to give us hope for the future. We are so richly blessed with the Catholic Faith. Each of us can, and must make a difference to keep moving forward. I think this forum demonstrates that although we may differ semantically in some ways, our goals are the same - and that's the Truth of the Faith. We have the freedom to discuss, to disagree - and to inform. Now, if all parishes were like ours here at the Cyber Forum Parish, can you imagine what we could accomplish?
Karin

Hvaljen Isus i Marija. Kraljica Mira, moli za nas.
"Praised be Jesus and Mary. Queen of Peace, Pray for Us."

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Fortunatus

Well, that'll go down like a lead balloon in certain quarters!
:rofl:
Any chance we can change the rules about retirement or persuade BXVI that this man is simply too valuable to lose.
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Rose of York
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Mick, the rule is that bishops and parish priests must offer their retirement on or before their 75th birthday. His Holiness can ask them to stay on. That is why Cardinal Murphy O'Connor is still Archbishop of Westminster.
Keep the Faith!

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Fortunatus

Who Mick, Rose? :hammer:
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Rose of York
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Fortunatus
Sunday, 2. November 2008, 23:26
Who Mick, Rose? :hammer:
I thought all Catholics were Micks.

:rofl:
Keep the Faith!

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OsullivanB

Never, but once upon a time all Micks were Catholics.
"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance - that principle is contempt prior to investigation." Herbert Spencer
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Fortunatus

OsullivanB
Monday, 3. November 2008, 03:33
Never, but once upon a time all Micks were Catholics.
Happy days.
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SeanJ
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And once upon a time, it is said, that all Englishman were Catholics.
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Rose of York
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SeanJ
Monday, 3. November 2008, 17:17
And once upon a time, it is said, that all Englishman were Catholics.
And, please God, Bishop O'Donoghue's initiative will teach a lot of youngsters how to be, and remain, Catholics.

There, I got this discussion back on topic after our bit of fun.
:clap:
Keep the Faith!

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