AFRICA/SENEGAL - Catholic school pupils of different faiths not separated by school prayers

Monday, 17 October 2005

Dakar (Fides Service)- In Africa and elsewhere in the world, many of the pupils at Catholic schools are non Christians whose families appreciate the schools’ quality of education and the respect for the religious feelings of all the pupils. In this regard a student Joseph Faye Catholic School in Oussouye, Senegal, run by Scolopi Father wrote this testimony in the school bulletin.
“Here at school we always pray in the morning before lessons and at the end of the day. Prayer are always led by Christians but everyone can take part: Christians recite the Our Father and the Hail Mary”- writes the student David-Olivier Diedehou. “We pray not to make students change religion, on the contrary everyone is encouraged to pray in the hearts to God and entrust to him the work we are about to undertake”.
“Of course we are a private Catholic school but no one tries to convert anyone and all are all welcome to join in if they want to but it is not compulsory” the Senegalese student writes. “And so beloved parents do not worry about me and dear companions at school please continue this tradition. Let us pray for each other that God may give us his Grace in fullness that we may succeed in our studies”.
In Senegal the Church runs 108 kindergartens with 7,409 children, 150 primary schools with 46,187 pupils, 47 middle and high schools with 19,252 pupils. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 17/10/2005 righe 25 parole 282)


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