Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster, has praised the work of Head Teachers of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Westminster at a Mass celebrated on 30 October at Westminster Cathedral.The Mass formed part of 'Securing the Future of Catholic Education', a one day Conference held for Head Teachers in the Diocese of Westminster which concluded with an Education 'Question Time' with Bishop George Stack and Stephen Pound MP amongst the panelists.
In his Homily, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor paid tribute to the work of Head Teachers and drew parallels between his role as a pastor and their work as teachers.
" I'm immensely proud of our Catholic schools in the Diocese and I just want you to know how much I support all that you do. In a very special way I think my own task of teaching and of sanctifying and of shepherding is your task too in a different kind of way but just as real. Your task is to teach. Teach through yourself and through those who teach with you the truth of our faith and the joy of our faith; just as I must do."
"Your task too is to sanctify, sanctify the lives of the young people through the prayer, through the worship, through the sense of God and the belief in Jesus that is at the heart of a Catholic school...So no wonder I regard yourselves in a very special way as my collaborators in the task of proclaiming the truth, proclaiming the Gospel in our Diocese."
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor concluded by stressing the pivotal role played by Catholic schools in the educational system: "Our schools are not just appreciated but reckoned as models in many ways by our society and indeed by our government. In no way would they want to diminish the place in the voluntary sector that our schools have. It's a very precious place which we have been given, which we've earned, but which we want to develop in the years to come ."
Securing the Future of Catholic Education' concluded with a "Question Time" session with panelists style Bishop George Stack, Chairman of Education for the Diocese of Westminster; Stephen Pound, MP for Ealing North; Professor Arthur Naylor, Principal, St Mary's University College and Oona Stannard, Chief Executive and Director of the Catholic Education Service.
Topics discussed included the future of faith schools, the relationship between parishes and schools and the impact of Equalities legislation on teachers and schools.
There are 215 Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Westminster, including aided Sixth Form Colleges and Independent Schools. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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