Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Newcastle (Agenzia Fides) – Maitland Newcastle Diocese children’s ministries director John Donnelly has expressed his regret for the lack of religion teachers in schools. According to a report, there were more than 12,800 Catholic students in diocesan state schools in 2009, but only 184 Scripture teachers.
The number of students who ‘‘opted out’’ of Scripture was about 5% in Hunter, located 100 km north of Sydney. “The real challenge to our right to teach our faith is finding volunteers willing to present the weekly lessons,’’ he said. ‘‘While most state primary schools are currently receiving some form of [special religious education], many secondary schools receive little or none.” In many schools Christian churches have pooled their resources to provide joint denomination [special religious education] lessons. The local Christian churches have been handed a beachhead in a public high school to launch a recruiting campaign. The board includes Baptist, Pentecostal and Assemblies of God Churches some with affiliations to the Hillsong Church. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 08/09/2010)
