The document describes the distinguishing characteristic of a Catholic school in this way; "The Catholic school pursues cultural goals and the natural development of youth to the same degree as any other school. What makes the Catholic school distinctive is its attempt to generate a community climate in the school that is permeated by the Gospel spirit of freedom and love.
It tries to guide the adolescents in such a way that personality development goes hand in hand with the development of the "new creature" that each one has become through baptism. It tries to relate all of human culture to the good news of salvation so that the light of faith will illumine everything that the students will gradually come to learn about the world, about life, and about the human person". The Council, therefore, declared that what makes the Catholic school distinctive is its religious dimension, and that this is to be found in a the educational climate, b the personal development of each student, c the relationship established between culture and the Gospel, d the illumination of all knowledge with the light of faith.
More than twenty years have passed since this declaration of the Council. In response to suggestions received from many parts of the world, the Congregation for Catholic Education warmly invites local ordinaries and the superiors of Religious Congregations dedicated to the education of young people to examine whether or not the words of the Council have become a reality.
The Second Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops of said that this opportunity should not be missed! The reflection should lead to concrete decisions about what can and should be done to make Catholic schools more effective in meeting the expectations of the Church, expectations shared by many families and students. In order to be of assistance in implementing the Council's declaration, the Congregation for Catholic Education has already published sevetal papers dealing with questions of concern to Catholic schools.
The Catholic School 2 develops a basic outline of the speciflc identity and mission of the school in today's world. Lay Catholics in Schools: Witnesses to the Faith 3 emphasizes the contributions of lay people, who complement the valuable service offered in the past and still offered today by so many Religious Congregations of men and women.
