The choice of theme for Catholic Education Week in 2009 - Bringing Values to Life - could not be more appropriate at this time.  For, as we look around the world, we see overwhelming evidence that society’s awareness of values is significantly lacking. 

In this article, Leonard Franchi reminds us of the importance of the great riches and traditions bequeathed to the Church to help us to understand various aspects of Church life and teaching.  He highlights the importance of various Church documents on the theory and practice of education, not only those which emerged after the Second Vatican Council.  In particular he offers some insights into a document from 1929 - Divini Illius Magistri - which highlights links between the praxis of Christina education and the common good of society.

Catholic schools are a concrete manifestation of the right to freedom of education, says Benedict XVI.

The Pope expressed this conviction on 25th September 2008 during an address in the apostolic palace at Castel Gandolfo to representatives of Italian Catholic educational centers, who are taking part in a meeting organized by the Italian episcopal conference\'s Center of Studies for Catholic Schools.

In this article which appeared in the Independent on Suday 31st August 2008, Melanie McDonagh argues that Faith schools work - untill you take the faith away.

This is the text of Cardinal O'Brien's speech to Catholic Secondary Head Teachers on 1 May 2008.

First Minister Alex Salmond
Cardinal Winning Education Lecture
University of Glasgow, Saturday, February 2, 2008

Your Eminence, Your Grace, My Lords, Reverend Fathers, ladies and gentlemen.  It is a great honour to be invited to deliver this year's Cardinal Winning Lecture. I am also delighted to be able to join you in your celebration of Catholic Education Week.

Catholic Education Week (26th January to 2nd February 2008)

As we enter Catholic Education Week 2008, we celebrate what is distinctive and excellent about Catholic Education in Scotland. We look forward to the continuing development of Catholic schools, to the flourishing of parish catechesis and to the healthy growth of our young people in faith and in learning

When I was representing the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland at a recent conference attended by colleagues from across Europe, I was struck by the significant variations in the ways that Catholic education is provided in many European countries.