De Omnibus Dubitandum Est.

This is far from "news" at this point, but my mind has been else where the last few days so I have not had the presence of mind to post it here. That being said I think it is great news, encouraging and very positive, and so worth sharing with my readers. A press release from Lancaster Diocese announces that, following hard on the heels of a second church ( English Martyrs ) in Preston being given over to the care of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest , the Diocese of Lancaster and the Institute announce that the Sisters Adorers of the Royal Heart of Jesus Christ Sovereign Priest , the female branch of the Institute, have accepted Bishop Michael Campbell’s invitation to establish a House in Preston in the Diocese of Lancaster! The arrival date for the contemplative (but not enclosed) Sisters has yet to be determined, but it is hoped that the Sisters will arrive as soon as possible to set up their first UK foundation at St Augustine’s Presbytery, Avenh...

I was asked to draft a letter on behalf of the governors of our school to our local MP regarding the proposed re-definition of marriage. I took my inspiration from the letter Bishop Philip Egan wrote to David Cameron and the letter our priests wrote to the Telegraph , as well as the educational consequences spelt out by, among others Fr. Tim Finigan . Here is the text: David Amess MP House of Commons London SW1A 0AA Dear Mr. Amess We have decided that it is necessary and essential that we contact you as a governing body in order to express our deep concern and disquiet regarding the proposed re-definition of marriage by your party. It is our opinion that the proposals constitute a further erosion of the value and sanctity of the institution of marriage which will necessarily have repercussions for society. These repercussions do not seem to have been taken into consideration by the coalition government, neither do the legal ramifications. Whilst we understand t...

I have reflected before on what makes a school Catholic . Education based on the premise that there is such a thing as truth, and that truth can be accessed and understood. Fundamentally, knowing the truth and living in accordance with it will make you better equipt for life and facilitate a confident, happy, family based society which values every member. The essential element that will facilitate delivery of this ideal must be educators who know, love, and live Catholic lives. Truly Catholic teachers are our schools greatest asset. Here are some clarifications regarding the legitimate expectations of Catholic schools regarding their teaching staff based on the CES contract and Canon Law. The CES contract of employment for teachers in Catholic schools, in its general terms and conditions (section 4) states: 4.1 You are to exercise the ministry and professional duties and maintain the professional standards of a Teacher in the School under the directions of the Go...

St. Thomas More—Ora pro nobis. Contrary to the modern misconception that faith is somehow in adversity to knowledge and reason, historically, the truth has, in fact, demonstrated exactly the opposite. Schools are actually a Catholic legacy. The Church has always had a mission to educate, making it a duty to offer this, especially, to the poorest in society. Following Catholic emancipation in the 19th Century, the Catholic bishops of England and Wales prioritised the building of schools before the building of churches. The Church's commitment to education remains just as strong today. There does appear to be a malaise at the heart of the contemporary Catholic educational system however. This was referred to by the head teacher of Ampleforth College in an address he gave to the Catholic Grant Maintained Schools Conference in 1996. He criticised, in particular, the reaction of some Catholic religious educators in the face of 'steeply rising rates of divorce, the abandonme...