Abstract Title
Forming Catholic School Leaders as 'Missionary Disciples': An Irish Perspective
Abstract
a) Pope Francis, in Evangelii gaudium, has promoted the idea of 'missonary discipleship as central idea in his effort to effect ecclesial renewal. It is a rich concept with roots in the renewal promoted by John XXIII in summoning the Second Vatican Council and it is one which can be applied within the context of the Church's mission to educate.
b) and c) This paper will first situate the idea of missionary discipleship, as used by Pope Francis, in the context of recent magisterial teaching and theological responses. It will then look at the challenges to living and exercising that discipleship in the context of the current educational landscape in the Republic of Ireland, noting some significant legislative enactments and ministerial directives. The final section will look at how one project has attempted to address the issue forming school leaders wholistically in an effort to respond to the opportunities and challenges of the moment.
d) A sign of grace is that those who have participated in these leadership programmes have experienced both personal and professional renewal. Many of them have progressed to key roles of leadership within the Catholic School system in Ireland.
Forming Catholic School Leaders as 'Missionary Disciples': An Irish Perspective
a) Pope Francis, in Evangelii gaudium, has promoted the idea of 'missonary discipleship as central idea in his effort to effect ecclesial renewal. It is a rich concept with roots in the renewal promoted by John XXIII in summoning the Second Vatican Council and it is one which can be applied within the context of the Church's mission to educate.
b) and c) This paper will first situate the idea of missionary discipleship, as used by Pope Francis, in the context of recent magisterial teaching and theological responses. It will then look at the challenges to living and exercising that discipleship in the context of the current educational landscape in the Republic of Ireland, noting some significant legislative enactments and ministerial directives. The final section will look at how one project has attempted to address the issue forming school leaders wholistically in an effort to respond to the opportunities and challenges of the moment.
d) A sign of grace is that those who have participated in these leadership programmes have experienced both personal and professional renewal. Many of them have progressed to key roles of leadership within the Catholic School system in Ireland.