Addressing participants in a conference in Madrid on the Church’s commitment in education in Spain, Pope Francis, in a message, highlighted the importance for Catholic institutions to ensure that education is accessible to all.
The Holy Father reminded Spanish Catholic educators that the Church is called to promote an inclusive education, where all students are allowed unleash their potential regardless of their background, recalling that this has always been an essential part of its educational mission.
“Education is, above all, an act of hope in those before us (…), in their possibilities to change and contribute to the renewal of society”, the Pontiff said in a message he addressed to participants in a conference organized in Madrid by the Spanish Bishops’ Conference (CEE) on the Church’s commitment in education.
The Saturday session brought to conclusion, a four months’ process started in October 2023, in which bishops, experts and Catholic educators from across Spain have reflected and taken stock of the work done by the Church in Spain in the field of education.
In his message the Pope welcomed the initiative, and highlighted the importance for Catholic institutions to ensure that education is accessible to all: “Everyone has the right to education, no one should be excluded, “ he said.
“I cannot help but remember the many children and young people who do not have access to education in different parts of the world, who suffer oppression, and even war and violence”, he added.
Pope Francis thus invited the participants not to overlook “the new exclusions” produced by the modern “throwaway culture.”
“And never forget,” he added, “that the creation of relationships of justice among peoples, the capacity for solidarity towards the needy, and the care of the common home will pass through the hearts, minds, and hands of those who are being educated today.”
Concluding his message, the Holy Father encouraged participants “to continue reflecting and walking together,” to value their identity and faith, while avoiding self-referentiality, and also to be ”artisans of peace.”
“Education is not possible without betting on freedom, opening the way to social friendship and the culture of encounter,” the Pontiff said, adding that, “Education is a choral work, which always requires collaboration and networking; never remain alone, avoid self-referentiality.”