Hoping for faith-filled action

Published: 1 August 2010

QUESTIONING the validity of some teachers to teach religion in our schools when they are not leading lives in accordance with the faith they espouse - re Fr Kevin Ryan's column (CL, 6/6/10) - gives credence to concern for the low attendance of school leavers at Sunday Mass.

However the problem goes much deeper than the one he refers to.

The levels of belief and practice among students after 12 years of Catholic education has been unacceptably low.
They have been declining steadily over the past three decades with no sign of any levelling off.

It is estimated that less than five per cent of school leavers attend Sunday Mass.

There are now two successive generations of school leavers lost to the faith - the first are the parents and the second are the current generation.

If the younger generations are not taught the faith, how can they be expected to know it, practise it, love it or provide the platform for vocations?

It is hoped that bishops will take action to address this situation because time is running out.

DR L. E. GEORGESON
President