BY Liz Leydon | September 17 | 
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Catholic education forms the human person, Pope says
The Holy Father told teachers and members of the religious orders today that Catholic teaching must be at the heart of education.
Pope Benedict XVI made his comments at St Mary’s University Twickenham, before addressing a gathering of thousands of school children at The Big Assembly.
“As you know, the task of a teacher is not simply to impart information or to provide training in skills intended to deliver some economic benefit to society; education is not and must never be considered as purely utilitarian. It is about forming the human person, equipping him or her to live life to the full—in short it is about imparting wisdom,” the Holy Father said.
He went on to add: “The presence of religious in Catholic schools is a powerful reminder of the much-discussed Catholic ethos that needs to inform every aspect of school life. This extends far beyond the self-evident requirement that the content of the teaching should always be in conformity with Church doctrine.”
In thanking those who make ‘our schools provide a safe environment’ he went on to say: “Our responsibility towards those entrusted to us for their Christian formation demands nothing less. Indeed, the life of faith can only be effectively nurtured when the prevailing atmosphere is one of respectful and affectionate trust.”
To read the homily in full, visit: http://www.thepapalvisit.org.uk/The-Visit-Live/Speeches/Speeches-17-September/Pope-Benedict-addresses-Teachers-and-Religious
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