Midwinter 2018 Report
Education & Health – Mary Pat O’Neill
Education & Health – Mary Pat O’Neill
| Education Chair Report Feb 3, 2018 |
Catholic Education: Confronting Fiction with Facts
| ACSTA Position on Catholic Education.pdf |
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Pope calls for action in the fight against human trafficking
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis appealed to government leaders to be strong in the fight against the scourge of human trafficking.
Marking Wednesday’s ‘International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking’ marked annually on 8 February, and focusing this year on the trafficking of children and adolescents, the Pope had words of encouragement for all those who in different ways, help minors who have been enslaved and abused to be freed from this terrible oppression.
“I urge all those in government positions to combat this scourge with firmness, giving voice to our younger brothers and sisters who have been wounded in their dignity. All efforts must be made to eradicate this shameful and intolerable crime” he said.
He explained that the 'International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking" falls on the feast day of Saint Josephine Bakita: "this enslaved, exploited and humiliated girl in Africa never lost hope" he said but persevered in her faith and ended up as a migrant in Europe where she heard the call of the Lord and became a nun. Let's pray to Saint Josephine Bakita for all migrants and refugees who are exploited and suffer so much". The Pope also recalled the beatification on Tuesday in Japan of Justo Takayama Ukon, a Japanese lay person who died a martyr in Manila in 1615. “Rather than bowing to compromise, he renounced honor and wealth, and accepted humiliation and exile. He remained faithful to Christ and to the Gospel” he said. For this reason, the Pope said, “he represents an admirable example of strength in faith and dedication in charity.”
Marking Wednesday’s ‘International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking’ marked annually on 8 February, and focusing this year on the trafficking of children and adolescents, the Pope had words of encouragement for all those who in different ways, help minors who have been enslaved and abused to be freed from this terrible oppression.
“I urge all those in government positions to combat this scourge with firmness, giving voice to our younger brothers and sisters who have been wounded in their dignity. All efforts must be made to eradicate this shameful and intolerable crime” he said.
He explained that the 'International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking" falls on the feast day of Saint Josephine Bakita: "this enslaved, exploited and humiliated girl in Africa never lost hope" he said but persevered in her faith and ended up as a migrant in Europe where she heard the call of the Lord and became a nun. Let's pray to Saint Josephine Bakita for all migrants and refugees who are exploited and suffer so much". The Pope also recalled the beatification on Tuesday in Japan of Justo Takayama Ukon, a Japanese lay person who died a martyr in Manila in 1615. “Rather than bowing to compromise, he renounced honor and wealth, and accepted humiliation and exile. He remained faithful to Christ and to the Gospel” he said. For this reason, the Pope said, “he represents an admirable example of strength in faith and dedication in charity.”
The Response to the Alberta Minister of Education’s Request for Policy & Subsequent Release of: Guidelines For Best Practices: Creating Learning Environments that Respect Diverse Sexual Orientations, Gender Identities and Gender Expression
What followed the Minister’s request and release of the guidelines was an impressive, united and consistent message from all Alberta Catholic School Boards, clergy, parents/guardians and the greater Catholic community reaffirming that every child is precious - a unique child of God deserving of individualized love and attention to reach their full God-given potential regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, etc. and that all should be treated with equal respect and dignity. It was nothing short of miraculous to see the unprecedented numbers (tens of thousands) who took the time to call, email, write, or meet with government officials to make their voices heard. I can assure you that you have been heard and have had a positive impact. Although we continue to monitor the situation and await a formal reply from the education ministry in regards to the policies (and supporting documents) we have every reason to believe that Alberta Education will continue to recognize Catholic religious rights and freedoms and respect that all Catholic Schools have been and will continue to be inclusive, welcoming, safe and caring environments responsive to the individual needs of all their students without exception.
- Adriana Lagrange, President, Alberta Catholic School Trustees Association
YOU helped make the difference, CWL members, and I thank you!
We can see what a united voice, along with prayer, works to make a difference!
See also the article by Kevin Feehan, legal counsel for the Alberta Catholic School Trustees. He says;
"that despite the ideological and philosophical basis of the Guidelines - Indicators of Best Practices, many of the Best Practices recommended are consistent with the personhood-affirming pastoral approach of the Church and the Council of Catholic School Superintendents of Alberta LIFE Framework."
He describes each element of the Guideline and how it is addressed in the LIFE Framework.
What followed the Minister’s request and release of the guidelines was an impressive, united and consistent message from all Alberta Catholic School Boards, clergy, parents/guardians and the greater Catholic community reaffirming that every child is precious - a unique child of God deserving of individualized love and attention to reach their full God-given potential regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, etc. and that all should be treated with equal respect and dignity. It was nothing short of miraculous to see the unprecedented numbers (tens of thousands) who took the time to call, email, write, or meet with government officials to make their voices heard. I can assure you that you have been heard and have had a positive impact. Although we continue to monitor the situation and await a formal reply from the education ministry in regards to the policies (and supporting documents) we have every reason to believe that Alberta Education will continue to recognize Catholic religious rights and freedoms and respect that all Catholic Schools have been and will continue to be inclusive, welcoming, safe and caring environments responsive to the individual needs of all their students without exception.
- Adriana Lagrange, President, Alberta Catholic School Trustees Association
YOU helped make the difference, CWL members, and I thank you!
We can see what a united voice, along with prayer, works to make a difference!
See also the article by Kevin Feehan, legal counsel for the Alberta Catholic School Trustees. He says;
"that despite the ideological and philosophical basis of the Guidelines - Indicators of Best Practices, many of the Best Practices recommended are consistent with the personhood-affirming pastoral approach of the Church and the Council of Catholic School Superintendents of Alberta LIFE Framework."
He describes each element of the Guideline and how it is addressed in the LIFE Framework.
