by Murray White moral and spiritual education by THE new emphasis by 'the the present Government, the school inspectors' body, bishop said that the two
OFSTED, on moral and spiritual elements must be kept distinct. education, raises new "otherwise the whole spiritual opportunities for Church dimension will be pushed out".
participation in schools' Religious Education and inspection. a Catholic bishop spiritual development are declared this week. "inseparable", the bishop Bishop Vincent Nichols. warned. Although he said there Auxiliary in Westminster, was nothing in OFSTED's addressing a Catholic education "secular" definitions of moral conference in Hertfordshire, said development that would cause that the moral and spiritual concern in Catholic schools.
development of pupils offers "a The first step towards a bridge between the public and development of spirituality the diocesan inspection of among youngsters must be to schools" that should be fostered. make them aware of themselves, But the bishop issued a to give them time for reflection warning to the conference of that there is "more than the headteachers and governors at material".
London Colney yesterday. "In this respect spiritual saying that the teaching of development is inseparable from spirituality must not be reduced religious education in which we to a search for moral conformity. try to introduce to the pupils the Giving the proviso that person of Jesus Christ and relate discipline in schools is essential, his teaching to their experience."
Bishop Nichols asked: "I wonder said Bishop Nichols.
if the task of maintaining good He added that a well thought order and discipline in a school out, consi stent policy to has in fact worked against the discipline and punishment in opportunities for true 'spiritual schools, developed jointly by development'?" both staff and pupils, is a crucial In a comprehensive reflection part of the formation of pupils' on the stress being placed on moral development.