[Opinion] Let’s remember the core mission, values for establishing mission schools

The saga of our Muslim brethren sueing the People called Methodist, specifically, Wesley Girls School reminds me of the aftermath of the demise of my late Dad when one of my aunts raised a question if by way of sharing my oldman’s estate, she could be given a half plot of the land on which stood my elder brother’s Church!.

My illiterate mom’s response answers this issue perfectly well when she threw a question to my aunt, if she has ever seen a Protestant Pastor building and living on the Church compound of a Catholic Church on which stood the Church building before?!

In-as-much as mission appreciates dearly Ecumenism and religious tolerance does not guarantee a politically or other religiously-motivated action that runs counter to the core values, principles and motives for which such missionary schools where established. The truth about the matter is, government schools and later on policies came to meet the mission schools.

Even though, is an undisputable fact that, every human person has the right to go to the court and seek justice, but let’s not forget that, in spite of the directives of the Ministry of Education and the memorandum of understanding, the Church in her religious matters is self-sufficient and autonomous and the administration of her schools doesn’t depend mainly on the secular powers.It only respect and coordinate out of mutual respect between the State and the Church.

Following the argument,in spite of the Computerized Placement System, no parent is forced to attend one school or the other. Once the parents accepts the admission letter from the school, makes deposit of the fees and report on the day of opening having given orientation and the Code of Conduct of the school, the parents, be it biological or surrogate, has given his or her consent, taking cognisance of the kind of school it is(be it mission or private or) government), the discipline, the itinerary of programme to follow and the core purpose for its very establishment.

So, once a new student enters the school, he is obliged to follow religiously the rules and not impose his or her.

As you and I may know, the establishment of the mission schools is an extension of the Church’s work of evangelisation and so, every mission school is much particular about the mission’s clear identity, principles, teachings and beliefs.

So, the authority allowing a Church building in a Muslim school would be contradictory in principle, fundamentals and core mission. Likewise Muslim students doing same in a mission school. Normally, after attending the Church’s Sunday or weekday Church Services, an appropriate place or classroom is allotted to them to pray as believers from different religious sects, which a clear appreciation of religious tolerance and fraternal respect faith-wise!.

If one would want to push it further, did the Christian parents not know that, Ahmadiyah School is for Muslims?
So if he was not ready to follow the Islamic rules, why gaining admission there in the first place?
By the Church law, Catholic schools in the strictest sense are not for non-Catholics per say but Catholics since the Church’s law obliges Catholic parents to enroll their children in Catholic schools. And the motive for this law is to ensure the ongoing Catholic or Christian formation in a holistic manner by forming both the mind and hearts as Catholic principles dictate.

We acknowledge the fact that, in spite of the different religious backgrounds, we are all brethren and some if not all the mission schools are government assisted and there is a memorandum of understanding between the Church and the State in the running of the mission schools, let us adhere to the core values and principles for which they were established and know the limit of each party knowing very well that, where one man’s ends, another man’s freedom begins says Jean Jaque Rousseau, the French Philosopher.
Thank you very much.

By: Rev.Fr Albert K.Danso
Chaplain of Ghanaian Catholic Community Church, Italy and
Student of Church or Canon Law.