Faith based schools

In light of the ongoing challenges facing faith based schools in Canada this piece from the Vatican is especially interesting:

VATICAN CITY, 25 SEP 2008 (VIS) - Today in the Apostolic Palace at
Castelgandolfo, Benedict XVI received participants in a seminar entitled:
"Beyond the Educational Emergency. Catholic schools at the service of young
people". The seminar has been promoted by the Italian Episcopal Conference's
Study Centre for Catholic Schools to mark the tenth anniversary of its
foundation.

Highlighting the importance of the mission of Catholic schools, the Pope
quoted from a document of the Italian Episcopal Conference entitled "Catholic Schools in Italy Today", where it is written that "Catholic schools are an expression of the right of all citizens to freedom of education, and of their corresponding duty of solidarity in the construction of civil coexistence".

"In order to be selected and appreciated, Catholic schools must be
understood in their educational aims", said the Holy Father. To this end a
"mature awareness" is necessary, "not only of their ecclesial identity and
cultural programme, but also of their civil importance which should be considered not as a defence of special interests but as a precious contribution to creating the common good of all Italian society".

Thanks to the collaboration of various Italian educational institutions and organisations, noted Benedict XVI, over these ten years the Study Centre
for Catholic Schools has "been able to undertake a careful monitoring of the
situation of Catholic schools in Italy, dedicating particular attention to the question of parity and reform. ... In this context, it has been noted that attendance in Catholic schools in some regions of Italy has grown with respect to the preceding decade, although serious - and sometimes even critical - situations persist.

"It is", the Holy Father added in conclusion, "precisely in the context of
the renewal wished for by all people who have the good of the young and the
country to heart that we must favour real equality between State schools and
private schools, so as to grant parents appropriate liberty of choice on the
schools their children attend".

James Morton
1100 - 5255 Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario
M2N 6P4