Press Release from Bishop Patrick O’Donoghue
Cardinal Levada writes foreword to Lancaster Diocese education plan.
Bishop Patrick O’Donoghue has received the endorsement of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) for his teaching document: ‘Fit for Mission Schools’. Cardinal Levada has also written a foreword to accompany it.

The Prefect of the CDF expressed his approval of the fact that ‘diligence among parents and teachers in passing on to children and young people the fundamental truths of God and man is the key note of ‘Fit for Mission Schools’’. Earlier this year both the Congregation for Catholic Education and the Congregation for Clergy welcomed the Bishop’s vision for Catholic education in the Diocese. Cardinal Levada commends Bishop Patrick for challenging the major cause of the educational crisis besetting our Catholic schools and colleges – the absence of truth in society due to the elevation of unquestioned intellectual and moral relativism.

The Prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith also congratulates the Bishop on a clear presentation of the Church’s understanding of Catholic education and goes on to express his delight that ‘Fit for Mission Schools’ promotes the use of the Catechism of the Catholic Church in schools and colleges. Cardinal Levada agrees that teachers and parents should ground their efforts on the Four Pillars of the Catechism -

• The Profession of Faith;
• Sacraments;
• The Moral Life;
• Prayer

- as the fundamental sources which should inform the life, faith, and ethos of Catholic education.

Cardinal Levada concludes his foreword to ‘Fit for Mission Schools’ by recommending it as an example to others: ‘It is to be hoped that others will follow the example of the Diocese of Lancaster in establishing educational and pastoral programmes that implement the Catechism of the Catholic Church as the fundamental guarantee for keeping Christ's Gospel whole and alive in their schools and colleges’.

Bishop Patrick expressed his delight at receiving Cardinal Levada’s letter and foreword: ‘It is a great honour that the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has personally written such kind words about our vision for education. I never imagined that my brother bishops, who hold such high office in the Holy See, would give it such attention. My one hope is that Catholic schools and colleges are able to counter the relativism among our young people and families that makes the deepening of faith so difficult.’

The Catholic Truth Society has published an expanded version of Fit for Mission? Schools. Do 779. £ 6.95. 02076400042.

Cardinal Prefect Grocholewskipraises Fit for Mission? Schools

Bishop Patrick O’Donoghue’s ground-breaking document Fit for Mission? Schools, has been praised by the Congregation for Catholic Education, as a ‘reliable resource for renewing the vitality of Catholic education in today’s society’.

Earlier in the month Bishop Patrick O’Donoghue received the endorsement of the Congregation for Clergy for Fit for Mission? Schools.

His Eminence, Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, Prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education, commended Bishop Patrick, on behalf of the Congregation, for his ‘initiative and work done to strengthen the values inherent in the Catholic school’.

The Cardinal highlights with satisfaction Fit for Mission? Schools comprehensive use of documents from the Holy See to ‘support the Catholic ethos in schools on a diocesan level’.

The Congregation concludes by endorsing Fit for Mission? Schools as a ‘publication that will undoubtedly be a reliable resource for renewing the vitality of Catholic education in today’s society’.

Cardinal Grocholewski expressed his gratitude to Bishop Patrick for his work in ‘fostering the Catholic identity of our schools’, wishing him well in the successful implementation of the Fit for Mission? Schools programme, which will be developed throughout the diocese during 2008.

Throughout 2008, the diocese’s Education Centre will facilitate and co-ordinate further consultation and implementation of the action plan among primary and secondary schools, and colleges. This will culminate in a diocesan conference in November 2008 to discuss the progress of Fit for Mission? Schools over the year.

Back at the Diocese of Lancaster the Bishop said, ‘ I am absolutely delighted with the letter from the Cardinal Prefect, Zenon Grocholewski. It is so encouraging to learn that Fit for Mission? Schools has been commended by the Congregation that has authority over all Catholic schools and colleges throughout the world.’

He went on to say, ‘I see it as yet another sign that our efforts on Lancaster are moving in the right direction. We are honestly trying to make our schools and parishes fit for mission – striving to communicate the Gospel with a freshness and energy to young and old.’

Bishop Patrick O’Donoghue has received the endorsement of the Congregation for Clergy,
Rome, for his recent teaching document, 'Fit for Mission? Schools'. The
Congregation further express the hope that it ‘will
become an example for other Dioceses in the country in
their implementation of the General Directory for
Catechesis and the Catechism of the Catholic Church in
their individual ecclesiastical jurisdiction.’ His Excellency, Archbishop Mauro Piacenza, Secretary
for the Congregation for Clergy, has sent the
Congregation’s congratulations to Bishop Patrick
O'Donoghue for his courageous examination of the state
of evangelisation and catechesis in the diocese of
Lancaster’s schools and colleges, among other things,
and for developing a positive programme for action in
harmony with the General Directory for Catechesis and
the other operative Magisterial documents.

Furthermore, Archbishop Mauro Piacenza wrote in his
letter of 15 December, ‘The Congregation is especially
pleased as your pastoral plan is precisely that which
was called for in the “General Directory for
Catechesis” after the release of the “Catechism of the
Catholic Church”’.

The Dicastery wished the Bishop well in the implementation of the Fit for Mission? Schools programme, which will be developed throughout the diocese during 2008. In the New Year, the diocese’s Education Centre will facilitate and co-ordinate further consultation and implementation of the action plan among primary and secondary schools, and colleges.  This will culminate in a diocesan conference in November 2008 to discuss the progress of Fit for Mission? Schools over the year.

Bishop Patrick is most encouraged to receive the support the Congregation for Clergy for Fit for Mission?  Schools. He said, ‘To be honest, I have been overwhelmed by the positive response!  Before Christmas, my office was inundated with congratulations, enquiries, and requests for copies of Fit for Mission? Schools from within the diocese, from around the country and internationally’.

The Bishop’s Office in Lancaster has received requests from the United States, Canada, Australia, France, and Malta. Back