Catholic Special Character
The nature of Catholic Character
In a Catholic school the special character is also known as the Catholic Character. This is not something that is simply added on to what would otherwise be a secular state school. Nor does it merely refer to religious education, ceremonies and observances. The Catholic Character is the framework within which the whole school curriculum is delivered; it is, in fact, integral to everything that takes place in the school, or on behalf of the school and its community. Properly observed and practised, it also provides a climate of hope, inspiration and service for all members of the school community.
In 2014 the NZ Catholic Bishops Conference addressed The Catholic Education of School-Age Children to parents, trustees, school principals and staff, priests and chaplains, and diocesan education staff. This is the Bishops’ most recent guide on the work of Catholic education in New Zealand. It includes the following quotes:
Catholic education is above all a question of communicating Christ, of helping to form Christ in the lives of others. Pope John Paul II, from his 1979 address to Catholic educators in the US
First and foremost, every Catholic educational institution is a place to encounter the living God who in Jesus Christ reveals his transforming love and truth. Pope Benedict XVI in 2008
The following examples illustrate how the scope and influence of Catholic Character permeate every aspect of school life.
Evangelisation
As part of its role in the teaching mission of the Church, the Catholic school is an integral agent in the evangelising mission of the Catholic Church. This means that it proclaims the Gospel as a means of bringing people to Christ.
It is important not to confuse evangelisation with proselytisation. The first teaches people about Jesus Christ in the hope that they will accept him, follow his teachings and grow in relationship with him. Whether they do or not is left to their free will and conscience, guided by the working of the Holy Spirit. The second, which attempts to convert someone from one faith or Church to another, has no place in a Catholic school.
Schools are required to have a planned approach to evangelisation that allows for people to be invited into the Church, and a sacramental programme for students that involves parents and families. Evangelisation can occur quite informally, through the example set by people living Christian lives; during formal school lessons; or through organised courses made available through or by the school, outside of normal school hours, to anyone who is interested.
Spiritual guidance
The Catholic school recognises that every person has a spiritual dimension. Just as our physical, intellectual and other dimensions need guidance and nurturing, so does our spiritual aspect. Catholic schools provide this through such group activities as liturgies (Mass, etc.), communal prayer (which is an important part of the daily life of a Catholic school), retreats, or through individual support in the form of counselling, youth or peer ministry, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and so on. This guidance, nurturing and support may be provided by appropriate staff members, school chaplains or peers.
Pastoral care
This term applies to the spiritual aspects of the curriculum. As in other state schools, however, it also means catering for the material, physical or emotional wellbeing of people, both within and outside the school community. Pastoral care encompasses guidance counselling as well as service to others through activities such as peer ministry, fundraising for overseas aid programmes and mission fields, and helping and ‘reaching out’ to groups within the local community (such as the elderly).
These service activities develop practical skills in the givers and have practical benefits for the receivers. Also, and most importantly, they are a valuable means of character training for students – a major function of Catholic education.
Social justice
In keeping with the teachings and the example of Jesus Christ, the Catholic Church places great emphasis on meeting human needs caused by poverty, oppression, exploitation, injustice and other denials of human rights. Social justice teaching is an essential part of religious education. It is also applied in practice through the school’s and students’ involvement in such organisations as Caritas (the Church’s agency for justice, peace and development). As well as human rights, environmental and sustainability issues have a strong social justice component.
Particular Catholic Character or charism
The Catholic Character of every school includes the particular religious values or charism that were identified when the school was established. These may link the school to a particular religious institute or saint. The charism may be defined in the Integration Agreement. Whether it is so defined or not, in every case the school works to maintain and develop its particular charism, which is the lens through which Catholic Character may be viewed in the school.
Church festivals and feast days
Catholic schools recognise and celebrate certain feasts and seasons of the liturgical year (such as Christmas and Easter) and the periods leading up to them (such as the four weeks of Advent and the six weeks of Lent). Other important days in the Church calendar are also celebrated, including the feast day of the saint or person after whom the school is named.
Supporting documents
Catholic Character is supported by the Code of Ethics for Catholic Schools, and The Declaration which has been made available to all schools. (See Resources section for these documents on the NZCEO website).
The Catholic Special Character Review and Development Document describes the expected outcomes from the above activities.
The Catholic Education of school aged children is also a useful resource and found on the Resources section of the NZCEO Handbook website at nzceohandbook.org.nz.