Dear Editor, I agree with Fr Patrick Seaver (IC Letters 03/08/2017) regarding the centrality of parents in the faith formation of children. The family, as a ‘domestic church’ is of crucial importance in the handing on of faith. I also concede that sacramental preparation may be best served solely in a parish context, once adequate resources, particularly well-trained catechists, are in place to facilitate this. Parents may also require formation to enable them to live a truly sacramental life as a family.
I also agree that knowledge of the Faith alone does not suffice. However, I do not view Catholic education as a simple imparting of knowledge. A teacher who lives his/her Catholic faith with conviction and integrity, has great influence regarding the attitudes children develop about God and faith. I am fully aware that my witness or the school’s alone is no guarantee that my pupils will become intentional disciples actively involved in their parishes. However, the witness of a significant person could ignite a spark.
Further, while the home may be the primary evangelising agent, it can happen that a young person can choose God even without home-based faith formation.
Ultimately, is it truly wise to limit the avenues within which God can work? Is it wise for Catholics to support school secularisation when in countries like France, all religious symbols are now banned from schools, ‘strict neutrality’ is demanded from all teachers with regards to faith, and no leeway whatsoever is given for teachers to witness to their religious convictions in the classroom (Secularism Charter, 2013)?
Not only do I see school secularisation as a bad move for our young people, but inevitably for teachers of faith too.
Yours etc.,
Róisín O’Rourke.
Leitrim Village,
Co. Leitrim