““I prayed, and understanding
was given to me; I entreated, and the spirit of Wisdom came to me” (Wisdom
7:7).
“Teach and instruct each other with all wisdom” (Colossians 3:16)
7.1
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We have put the focus on our commitment to the poor and the marginalized, in true
Christian tradition, so that, through a relevant and ‘quality education’,
they will regain their legitimate place, rights and privileges and become full members
of our society. Here, we remember the luminous insight of the Synod of Bishops and
the resulting document, ‘Justice in the World’ (1971) which says: “Action
on behalf of justice and participation in the transformation of the world fully
appear to us as a constitutive dimension of the preaching of the Gospel and of the
Church’s mission for the liberation of the peoples from every oppressive situation”
(# 6).
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7.2
|
This policy has highlighted the hope and the strategies to make the Catholic community
participate in the second freedom struggle that is now taking place and make a substantial
contribution to fashion a new seamless Indian society, as envisioned by the Constitution
of India, across the many present borders. Hence, we have urged the shift of focus
from ‘maintenance mode’ to ‘mission mode’ in order to contribute
to the India that is in the process of re-making. There is great enthusiasm in India
to get on to the world stage. Our fidelity to the mission of Catholic Education
will contribute to the making of that New India, as a Regenerated Nation. Gandhiji
had assured us: “A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable
fire in their mission, can alter the course of history.” He demonstrated it
by engaging in the first freedom struggle.
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7.3
|
In the context of values and principles becoming more and more of a casualty, we
have urged the nurture of a culture of faith in the young Catholics
and other members of the student body.
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7.4
|
We realize the key leadership role that the Church, along with all progressive forces,
must courageously assume, rather than continue our focus on good administration
alone. The effective implementation of this policy will make happen the many miracles
of multiplication of our present levels of outcomes.
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7.5
|
“Building a New India, where every child is educated, where the marginalized
are empowered, where the educational system seeks to transform society, is our dream.
We are confident that with the help of God, with the dedicated service of our priests
and religious and lay faithful, and the collaboration of all, this dream will become
a reality” (CBCI 2006, 10).
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7.6
|
“There are moments in history when a new direction has to be given to an age-old
process. That moment is today” (The National Policy on Education,
1986, 1.1). |
“In its ecclesial dimension another characteristic of the Catholic school
has its root: it is a school for all, with special attention to those who are weakest”
(The Catholic School on the Threshold of the Third Millennium, 1997, 15).
“Every school and every place of non-formal education can become a centre
of a greater network which, from the smallest village to the most complex metropolis,
wraps the world in hope. It is in education, in fact, that the promise of a more
human future and a more harmonious society lies” (Consecrated Persons and
their Mission in Schools, 2002, 84).