A pluralistic society at a religious level

From September 2008, all primary and secondary schools in Quebec, private as well as public ones, will introduce the course of Ethics and religious culture in their programmes. This course, that seems to be well designed, will respond to the needs of a society which has become pluralistic, even secularist, at a religious and confessional level. On the other hand, the course doesnt aim at giving the young people the bases of the Catholic religious teaching and catechesis. The establishment of this obligatory course is a serious challenge for the leaders of our private schools, who are anxious to keep the confessional character of our institutions.

How could we manage to reserve a space for the religious teaching and catechesis? Is there a real desire on the part of our young people and their parents? Should we gather our efforts on school ministry and pastoral activities specifically?

On September 6th, some representatives of our two schools will meet Brothers Yvon Bédard and Bernard Beaudin, a member of the Provincial Council. In autumn, an important meeting will be held by the Academic councils of various private schools and the Provincial Councils of some Institutes to discuss these questions.