The Catholic Weekly 1 August 2021

catholicweekly.com.au 2 NEWS 1, August, 2021 AN IMMEDIATE pause of the draft new curriculum for re- ligious education in the Dio- cese of Parramatta has been met with reactions including surprise, gratitude and some frustration. On 20 July Parramatta Bish- op Vincent Long OFM Conv wrote to parish priests and school principals informing them that he had asked the Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta executive direc- tor Greg Whitby to pause the engagement and implemen- tation of the draft new curric- ulum. The rollout of the new cur- riculum Living Life to the Full was paused following “signif- icant interest and feedback, including from the Church, community and experts in religious education, Scripture and theology” Bishop Long wrote. “I anticipate many of you will be surprised and disap- pointed with this news. “I am deeply thankful for the time and effort of so many committed and faith-filled people in bringing this impor- tant work to life. “We will now take the time needed to consider all the feedback we have received before determining the next steps. “This is all about sharing our Catholic faith with the next generation. “Forming the young in the way of Jesus is at the heart of our endeavour.” In a letter to families and staff Mr Whitby said that Year 11 and 12 students would not be disadvantaged by the deci- sion. “I understand that this BishopVincent LongOFMConv suspends controversial curriculum ¾ Marilyn Rodrigues Parramatta RE course paused news comes at a time when all of us are fully focused on meeting students during this period of remote learning as a result of the COVID-19 re- strictions. “Please be assured that this is being carefully considered in our support of schools.” A number of education professionals working in Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta who did not wish Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv acknowledged his suspension of the curriculum would both surprise and disappoint. to be named expressed con- cerns to The Catholic Weekly about the draft curriculum and the sudden pause. “I think there’s a lot of con- fusion at the moment and there are teachers who feel that maybe there’s been a lack of transparency about the ra- tionale for pausing the curric- ulum and the rationale for the curriculum itself,” one said. “For a lot of people there was a sense that something was ‘off’ about it and over the last couple of years there’s clearly been some pushback from parents and the clergy about it. “There is also a sense that parents sending their chil- dren to a Catholic school send them because they want them to be catechised, and I think those producing the curricu- lum lost sight a bit of that.” Another teacher told The Catholic Weekly she felt some of the units including on rela- tionships and other religions would have been a challenge to navigate “from a proper Catholic teaching perspec- tive”, while a parent in the Dio- cese welcomed Bishop Long’s responsiveness to concerns about the course. I n this edition Our story begins in 1839 with the Australasian Chronicle, continuing with the Freeman’s Journal in 1850. Level 13, Polding Centre, 133 Liverpool Street, Sydney, NSW 2000. Phone (02) 9390 5400 | Vol 73, No 5195. The Catholic Weekly is published by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney ABN 60 471 267 587 and is printed by ACM Australian Community Media, 159 Bells Line of Road, North Richmond NSW, 2754. News Movies, books Archbishop’s homily Editorial & Letters 1-13 10-11 21 24-25 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Michael Kenny (02) 9390 5348 EDITOR Peter Rosengren (02) 9390 5400 REPORTERS Marilyn Rodrigues (02) 9390 5410 Debbie Cramsie (02) 9390 5396 SUBSCRIPTIONS Rita Ng (02) 9390 5411 ADVERTISING AND MARKETING Steve Richards (02) 9390 5404 Katie Clarke (02) 9390 5402 DESIGNERS Renate Cassis Mathew De Sousa Faith in the trajectory of life catch it now at: thiscatholiclife.com.au LEAVE A GIFT Archdiocese of Sydney Catholic CHARITIES Order your FREE Wills and Bequests Guide today 1800 753 959 or [email protected] myWill SUPPORTINGTHE MINISTRIES OF THE CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY Leaving a gift in a I am deeply thankful for the time and ef- fort of so many committed and faith-filled people in bringing this important work to life. We will now take the time needed to consider all the feedback ...” Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv DIAMONDWOMEN provides options counselling, support and assistance for women and their families facing an unplanned pregnancy. For over 15 years Diamond Women has provided consistent care and support for women facing an unplanned pregnancy free of charge. Contact them now if you or someone you know needs help. Contact 1300 851 592 www.diamondwomen.com.au Worried? Alone? Pregnant? COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT CENTRES LOCATED IN BAULKHAM HILLS, GOSFORD, SYDNEY, MACQUARIE FIELDS, PENRITH AND SOUTH SYDNEY