The Big Ben of the World Catholic Teaching Struck

The Big Ben of the World Catholic Teaching Struck

Ethics And Virtues In The Personal And Professional Lives Of Teachers was the theme of the 2016 World Union of Catholic Teachers’ encounter that took place in London between 18 and 20 November, in the select surroundings of St. Mary’s University, Twickenham, London. The chairman of the meeting was the Most Reverend auxiliary bishop of Strasbourg Vincent Dollmann.

Founded in Rome in 1951, the World Union of Catholic Teachers, WUCT, is an association with a long lasting tradition. It wishes to offer support to Catholic teachers all over the world and to promote Catholic education. WUCT has a special situation as it is in direct contact to the Vatican, where has its seat and acts as a means of communication between relevant Dicasteries and its members. WUCT (UMEC) has consultative status with UNESCO. It is the only global organisation representing Catholic teachers, and acts as necessary, on behalf of its members to make representations when issues affecting Catholic teachers are concerned.

At this meeting that took place by the quays of Thames participated the principal of the Greek Catholic School in Oradea, Fr. Ph.D.c. Alexandru Dragoș and Fr. Adrian Podar, Ph.D. They received a formal invitation from the president of the Association Professor Guy Bourdeaud’hui, Ph.D., who opened the sessions in a room that reminded of the old Lords, with the perfume of roses and poppy, by a fireplace too proper to tell unforgettable stories...

The activities commenced on Friday afternoon with a presentation by Mrs. Maria Rimmer, President of CATSC, who was followed by Dr. John Lyndon KCHS, WUCT Treasurer, and culminated with an exquisite conference delivered by  Professor Gerald Grace, director of the Centre for research and Development in Catholic Education at St. Mary’s University. The presentation entitled Professions, Sacred and Profane: Reflections on the Changing Nature of Professionalism caught all delegates’ attention. It studied the chronological evolution of the concept of professionalism along the ages until today. Dr. Belen Tangco from the Philippines moderated this special moment.

During that same evening, Scottish, Philippine, British, Italian and Romanian delegates were invited to speak. The Romanian guests gave a speech on the history of the Greek-Catholic School in Oradea, underlining the growth of this institution from 1784, the year of its inauguration, until present times, stressing the major role played by all local bishops who inspired ethical values and virtues to teachers and students.

On Saturday, the 19th of November, there was a Mass celebration in the university Crypt, an intimate place so suitable to meet God. The celebrant of the Holy Eucharist was the Most Reverent Vincent Dollmann, Bishop of Strasbourg and UMEC-WUCTs’ Ecclesial Assistant.  The series of sittings went on in the Waldegrave Drawing Room and the decisions were put to vote by all those present. Professor Giovanni Perrone, Ph.D., the WUCT secretary general, spoke about previous year’s achievements. The second part of the day was dedicated to a visit in the majestic British capital.

Visiting some of the hidden treasures of London was a new opportunity for participants to have exchanges and to get to know themselves eve more. In the evening, the official dinner was held. This was a meal where, similarly to that in Emmaus, the dining companions had the chance to recognise Jesus, the One who offers himself on and on to everybody.

The last day began with the Holy Mass in English, French and Latin. The whole event ended with a debate upon the statute of the WUCT that would continue to be revised by the delegates and propose improvements. The farewell meal was shared in the university refectory.

Of the fruits this meeting bore for the Romanian representatives was that The Greek-Catholic School and our city may be hosting the following 2017 WUCT congress. Thus, this institution has the chance to bring together under its roof people who can greatly influence for the better the life of the Catholic teachers.

The first attitude of a teacher is love. By nature, a teacher is open towards the future, as there are always new generations of youngsters to whom they can convey the richness of their own knowledge and values. Teaching is not a job, said Pope Francis in 14 March 2015, it is a relation in which each teacher has to be personally involved. One cannot teach without passion. Teachers are witnesses of life and hope; any Catholic teacher is the witness of Christ.

 

Adrian Podar