NZ Catholic education boss backs Pope Leo’s priorities

Dr Kevin Shore described Pope Leo’s apostolic letter Disegnare Nuove Mappe Di Speranza (Drawing New Maps of Hope), issued on October 28, as being “of huge value for those who work in and are informed by Catholic education”.

Pope Leo asked Catholic educators and educational institutions to focus on three priorities: promoting the interior life, fostering a humane digital culture and educating for reconciliation and bridge-building.

Speaking about the Pope’s call to provide students with “spaces of silence, discernment and dialogue with their consciences and with God”, Dr Shore said: “Increasingly our young men and women are looking for a future that is more hope-filled, and the development of a conscience informed by the Gospels is a powerful way to capture their hearts and minds. Our Catholic character does provide more opportunities for these quiet and reflective spaces . . . “

Concerning appropriate use of technology, Dr Shore added that “Catholic education continues to prioritise human dignity within the discussion on technology so that it is not a secondary but a primary consideration, and I appreciate Pope Leo’s ability to tease this out. In my experience, RE teachers in our schools are very good in providing classroom experiences that actively allow students to critique existing and emerging technologies”. 

The Pope’s call for the development of communities focused on peace and reconciliation is very appropriate for this time, Dr Shore added.

“Pope Leo is challenging Catholic education to continue to be a beacon of light rather than darkness and this is a challenge that motivates the leaders in our Catholic schools,” Dr Shore said.

“The three priorities articulated by Pope Leo capture why I believe our Catholic schools are so popular with parents and students.

“Catholic education is offering a spiritual, positive, hopeful and inspiring education experience for our students where the Gospel values are integral to daily school life and where students are given every opportunity to learn to identify the presence of Christ.”

In his letter, the Pope noted that the Second Vatican Council affirmed that parents are the first and primary educators of their children, but “Christian education is a choral work: no one educates alone”.

“Education is not merely the transmission of content but an apprenticeship in virtue,” Pope Leo noted.

In his letter, which marked the 60th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council’s Declaration on Catholic Education, the Pope formally declared St John Henry Newman “patron of the Church’s educational mission alongside St Thomas Aquinas”.

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New Zealand Catholic Education Office (Facebook)

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