We, faith formators, must highly appreciate the stance taken by the bishops’ conference of England and Ireland regarding teaching of religion in schools. In the present context when there is a systematic move by governments in different parts of the world, to secularize education, «religious instructions» are the real casualty. They do not figure in the school curriculum.
When this happens in the traditionally Christian countries of the West, it is a cause of concern. Benedict XVI has time and again lamented the fact that Europe is «forgetting its Christian roots!» We hope many other episcopal conferences will emulate this bold example.
Francis Hembrom, SDB
Rome
