The Catholic Education Partnership (CEP) has published a new vision document setting out the identity and mission of the Catholic school in Ireland, describing such schools as offering a “unique, vibrant, nurturing environment” for students, families, the Church and wider society. The vision document will be launched on October 16.
The document, A Vision for Catholic Schools in Ireland, says the Catholic vision of education is inspired by the Gospel and commits to forming the whole person in a community rooted in reason, faith, hope, love and action, while allowing each school to express that vision in its own context.
It sets out seven marks of the Catholic school. It “invites” all into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, nourished through the community of the Church, while respecting those who find meaning in other faith traditions and secular worldviews. It “shines” as part of an interconnected community of families, parishes and wider society, working in partnership with parents as primary educators.
The school “nurtures” a love of learning by integrating faith and reason, with Religious Education described as a core subject within a broad and innovative curriculum, and teaching understood as “a sacred art”. It “dignifies” the person, affirming the fundamental dignity of each individual created in the image and likeness of God and supporting their holistic development.
The document says Catholic schools “build” a culture of welcome, inclusion, joy and hope, where learning happens in community and every person’s gifts and roles are valued. They “weave” social and environmental justice into school life, inspired by Catholic Social Teaching, with particular care for the poor and those on the margins, and a call to promote peace, reconciliation and care of creation.
Finally, the vision says Catholic schools “navigate” new spaces with discernment and creativity, seeking to provide a moral compass amid the opportunities and challenges facing each generation, in the hope of the flourishing of the individual, the faith community and society as a whole. It comes on the heels of the launch of an SPHE resource, Living Love, for Senior Cycle, with a Junior Cycle version due next year.
