America's Largest Catholic Newspaper
Traditionally, it has been argued that Catholic schools exist to help Catholic parents exercise their political right to bring up their children with their preferred religion. Over the past five decades, however, the place of education within politics has radically changed. For many children from poor backgrounds, the idea of getting a good education is completely alien. These developments make the Second Vatican Council’s document on education, The Declaration on Christian Education (Gravissimum Educationis), deserving of another reading.
The document contains some insights that have the potential to guide our theology of education. A new kind of Catholic school is called for, the document says, aimed at those who are poor or in need, both Catholic and non-Catholic. There is a deliberate desire to avoid equating the meaning of “Christian education” with mere attendance at a Catholic school. As such, it is an important document for all those involved in Catholic education in any way. The document is available on the Holy See’s website, www.vatican.va, by clicking on the “Resource Library.”
Epifanio Castillo
Yonkers
