Editorial

Religious education: the challenge of secularism

Michael Gilchrist

Contents - Jul 2010 - Buy a copy now Editorial: Religious education: the challenge of secularism - Michael Gilchrist Events: Leading US Catholics to visit Australia Archbishop Chaput defends the Pope and the Vatican over abuse lawsuits News: The Church Around the World Newly discovered World War II documents further vindicate Pius XII Book launch: Cardinal Pell's new book 'Test Everything' launched - Michael Gilchrist Trends: The Church in 50 years: John Allen's predictions - Frank Mobbs FOUNDATIONS OF FAITH: What we can know about heaven from Scripture and the Church - John Young Two views: Vatican II, infallibility and the Church today - James Bogle and John Young New apologetics for the new evangelisation Books: THE ABBESS OF ANDALUSIA: Flannery O'Connor's Spiritual Journey, Lorraine Murray - Terri Kelleher (reviewer) Books: CONVINCED BY THE TRUTH: Embracing the Fullness of Catholic Faith, John Fleming - John McCarthy (reviewer) Books: HANDING ON THE FAITH IN AN AGE OF DISBELIEF, by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger - Br Barry Coldrey (reviewer) Books: Order books from www.freedompublishing.com.au Reflection: The challenge: how to spread God's word in a secular culture - Bishop Arthur Serratelli

There was a time, not so long ago, when the moral values and religious beliefs of most Australians, their civic leaders, the media and other opinion makers, were broadly compatible with the nation's Judeo-Christian foundations. In recent decades, however, that scenario has changed dramatically with the drivers of the 1960s 'cultural revolution' and their successors gradually entrenching themselves in the sectors of power and influence.

It now takes considerable courage for Christians in public life to articulate what today are counter-cultural views on human life, family and sexuality. Where once there was a settled consensus on these, today to publicly oppose abortion or "gay marriage" is to invite strident abuse or ridicule.

In this regard the challenge for the Catholic Church is most acutely felt in school classrooms where the large majority of students come from non-practising homes and are constantly exposed to a diet of cultural relativism and "in your face" violence and sex via TV, Internet, movies and pop music.

Even the most committed and enthusiastic of religion teachers face a daunting struggle if they are to impart the full range of Catholic teachings in a manner that engages their students at the appropriate age levels.

Cardinal Pell's latest book, the recently launched Test Everything (see page 7), is a bracing tonic for those tempted to throw in the towel. He acknowledges that Christianity involves "tough love" but rejects any thought of watering down the faith — whatever the apathy or opposition.

As Bishop Serratelli reminds us (page 20), the Church over her long history has faced different kinds of challenges in spreading Christ's message. And while Catholics in Third World countries are generally more receptive to religious messages, much of the West, including Australia, has become a miss-ion territory urgently needing to be re-evangelised.

The challenge for those responsible for Catholic education is to develop fresh strategies to engage young secularised minds with religious truths. This will require a combination of improved RE texts, a strong prayer life, development of regular reception of the sacraments, particularly the Sacrament of Penance, and committed teachers. A pooling of success stories would seem to be the way to go.

Michael Gilchrist, Editor, email address available on request.

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 23 No 6 (July 2010), p. 2