Religious Education in the Catholic School

By law Religious Education must be provided in every school in Scotland. In recent years it has been seen as one of the core subject areas in the curriculum offered to all pupils in Scottish schools.

Within a Catholic school, however, Religious Education has a very special place in the curriculum. The aim of the Catholic school is “to develop the full potential of all children, leading to their life-long activities being guided by the Spirit and presence of Christ, in the service of God and of others” (‘The Catholic School in Scotland ’: Catholic Education Commission, 2001). Such an aim requires the commitment of staff in all subjects if it is to be achieved. Teachers of Religious Education, however, make a unique contribution to the aim of the Catholic school since Religious Education endeavours to foster in students both a personal relationship with God and a commitment to the Christian values of love and service to others which are at the heart of the Christian message and mission of the school.

Those concerned with the Religious Education of students in a Catholic school - particularly parents, local parish communities and teachers - need to be aware of and give adequate recognition to the nature of Catholic Religious Education. It is important that they understand what can be achieved in the Religious Education classroom, and what is more easily achieved in the home and / or parish setting. This is especially relevant today when so many students are from a non-practising Catholic background.

There will be an on-going need, therefore, for school authorities to work in partnership with parents and parishes in providing opportunities for free flow of information and discussion regarding the nature of Religious Education in the Catholic school.

The following description of roles and responsibilities is designed to assist in facilitating such initiatives.