Pope on Education and Dialogue

Philippa Hitchen reports on Benedict XVI's visit to St Mary's University College, Twickenham on Friday morning : Education has been at the heart of the Church’s mission here in England for centuries. The great medieval universities still stand as an eloquent witness to that and, in those days there were also many small, informal schools held in parishes, churches, cathedrals and monasteries around the country, offering basic reading skills, alongside knowledge of the Psalms, the Ten Commandments and the daily liturgies.

Since the restoration of the Catholic hierarchy here in 1850, education has also been one of the main focuses of the Church’s action, as it’s struggled to rebuild a vibrant community following the devastation and destruction of the Reformation period.

St Mary’s College, where the Pope met with thousands of children from Catholic schools all over England and Wales on Friday, dates back to that same period in the mid 19th century when education of children was deemed more essential for that task than even the building of new churches or cathedrals. The College moved to its current location in the 1920’s, focused back then on training teachers for Catholic schools. More recently it has been raised to university status and also boasts some of the finest sports training facilities in the country. No surprise then that Pope Benedict chose this occasion to inaugurate a new sports foundation dedicated to the memory of his sporting predecessor Pope John Paul II.

"In view of London’s forthcoming Olympic Games, it has been a pleasure to inaugurate this Sports Foundation, named in honour of Pope John Paul II, and I pray that all who come here will give glory to God through their sporting activities, as well as bringing enjoyment to themselves and to others”.

It was a relaxed and joyful encounter of the Pope with the excited kids and their teachers, gathered in their smart school uniforms alongside with a bunch of TV stars and Olympic athletes. And the Pope himself seemed relaxed and at home with these children of many different nationalities and religious backgrounds, talking to them in a down to earth way about the search for happiness and fulfilment in their lives.

"We live in a celebrity culture, and young people are often encouraged to model themselves on figures from the world of sport or entertainment. My question for you is this: what are the qualities you see in others that you would most like to have yourselves? What kind of person would you really like to be?"

True happiness, the Pope said, can only be found when we become friends with God, allowing him into our lives to guide us in everything we do. While the world needs great scientists and economists, historians and philosophers, he said, the most important thing a school can provide is a rounded education that helps children understand the bigger picture of their place in God’s great creation. Respect and friendship for members of other religious faiths is also an essential value that must be taught in Catholic schools, the Pope said, echoing the theme he developed later that morning with leaders of the many other faith groups with a sizeable presence in this country today.

"As followers of different religious traditions working together for the good of the community at large, we attach great importance to this “side by side” dimension of our cooperation, which complements the “face to face” aspect of our continuing dialogue".

The Pope also had words of encouragement for the many religious men and women, past and present, who’ve pioneered the teaching ministry in these lands and around the world. Recalling his own childhood, when he was taught by sisters of the order founded by the venerable Mary Ward, Pope Benedict urged all involved in this vital work to follow above all else, the “faithful loving witness of Christ, the Supreme Teacher”. Listen: