Latest news with #non-Catholic
Associated Press
16-06-2025
- General
- Associated Press
Do You Have to Be Catholic to Go to a Catholic School in Australia?
06/16/2025, New York City, New York // KISS PR Brand Story PressWire // As a parent, you always want to provide the best for your kids, especially when it comes to their education. You're likely looking for a school that not only prioritises academic excellence but also encourages students to make a positive impact in the community. The good news is that such values can be found in Page and Kaleen Primary School, affiliated with the Catholic Church. Given that the institution is rooted in the Catholic faith, many parents who are non-Catholic question whether their kids will get accepted to the school. This blog will cover all the relevant information that will answer your question. Do you need to be Catholic to attend a Catholic school? Catholic schools welcome all students who wish to benefit from their strong educational programs. While students of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply, those of the Catholic faith are given priority in the enrolment process. Being Catholic isn't a requirement. What truly matters is your willingness to embrace and support the values that guide the school's approach to education, values rooted in Catholic principles. The school welcomes enthusiastic learners and sees families as active partners in the educational journey. For both Catholic and non-Catholic families, the school is an ideal place to navigate academic challenges, contribute to the community, and be part of an educational culture that values kindness and respect. What benefits will the kids gain from studying in a Catholic school? The teaching doesn't revolve only around sacramental ceremonies, but it is also about guiding children to grow into Christ-like individuals. Therefore, the essential traits of Christ are incorporated into the teaching, such as love, kindness, accountability, and discipline. If you're Catholic, this school offers a nurturing environment where your child can grow both academically and spiritually. Through regular Mass with their peers and daily prayer sessions, they'll have opportunities to deepen their understanding of the faith. Catholic schools are recognised for their strong focus on academic excellence and educational freedom. Unlike public schools, which follow a standardised national curriculum, Catholic institutions offer greater flexibility in how subjects are taught. Students receive a solid foundation in core areas such as literature, social studies, and foreign languages, while also having the opportunity to explore and deepen their interests in subjects they're truly passionate about. Enrolling your kid in a Catholic school increases the chances of them attending a top university because they develop strong study habits and discipline. As a result, the chance of admission to a prestigious institution is higher. The teachers constantly encourage students to improve essential abilities such as innovation, analytical thinking, and problem-solving. These will be a strong foundation for achieving their goal in the future. Catholic schools are known for encouraging community involvement and have integrated programs into the curriculum that teach the value of volunteerism and helping others. This approach helps students to become more compassionate, more aware of those around them, and more likely to take part in meaningful social initiatives. The involvement of parents in their children's school life plays a vital role in their overall development and academic success. When parents take an active interest, students tend to feel more supported and motivated. Research shows that children whose parents are engaged in their education often perform better in class, show improved behaviour, and develop stronger study habits. This partnership between home and school creates a positive learning environment that encourages students to reach their full potential. Nurturing faith through education Religious education is a core part of the Catholic school curriculum. It supports students in developing their spirituality by guiding them in prayer, understanding the sacraments, participating in liturgy, and exploring scripture. Students are also encouraged to reflect on moral and ethical issues through the lens of Catholic teachings, helping them apply faith-based values to real-world situations. A well-rounded Catholic education focuses on shaping character, nurturing a sense of compassion, and encouraging students to demonstrate values that reflect the example of Christ. Will the students struggle at school if they are not Catholic? Although the institution is rooted in the Catholic faith, it places an exceptional value on respect and consideration for others, resulting in a disciplined atmosphere that promotes effective learning. Not only does it create an excellent academic system, but it also fosters a secure, friendly, and supportive community. If they face difficulties during learning or with their peers, they will be strongly advised to communicate this to the professional counsellor at school. The Catholic school creates a strong network of support, bringing together the pastoral care team and teaching staff to ensure that sensitive issues are addressed with care, respect, and understanding. Conclusion Kaleen and Page Primary School rooted in Catholic faith, offers many advantages to children and parents. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the school's administration team. They will guide you through what the school offers and how it can support your child's growth. Original Source of the original story >> Do You Have to Be Catholic to Go to a Catholic School in Australia?
The Wire
12-06-2025
- Politics
- The Wire
Joachim and Violet Alva: A Parliamentarian Couple Who Made History
This article is part of a series by The Wire titled 'The Early Parliamentarians', exploring the lives and work of post-independence MPs who have largely been forgotten. The series looks at the institutions they helped create, the enduring ideas they left behind and the contributions they made to nation building. Joachim Ignatius Sebastian Alva and Violet Hari Alva were the first Parliamentarian couple in history. Violet and Joachim were elected to the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha respectively in 1952. Together, the Alvas fought for independence, played a key role as lawyers, edited journals and proved themselves to be great parliamentarians. Joachim, born in Udupi in the then South Canara district of the erstwhile Madras Presidency on January 21, 1907, was a lawyer, journalist and politician from Mangalore. He was a prominent Mangalorean Catholic figure involved in the Indian independence movement. Illustration: Pariplab Chakraborty. Violet was born in Ahmedabad on April 24, 1908. The two met at Bombay's Government Law College and married on November 20, 1932. Their partnership ended only in 1969, when Violet passed away. After independence, Joachim was appointed the sheriff of Bombay in 1949. In 1950, he entered the Provisional Parliament of India. He was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1952, 1957 and 1962 from North Canara. He was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 1968 and retired in 1974. Joachim belonged to the Alva-Bhat, a Mangalorean Catholic clan from Belle in Udupi district. He was educated at the Jesuit St. Aloysius College, Mangalore, Elphinstone College, Government Law College, Mumbai and the Jesuit St. Xavier's College, Mumbai. In 1928, Joachim became the first Christian to be elected as secretary of the fifty-year-old Bombay Students' Brotherhood. Along with Khurshed Nariman, H.D. Raja, Yusuf Meherally and Soli Batliwala, he was a pioneer of the Bombay Youth League. In 1930, Joachim founded the Nationalist Christian Party with the goal of drawing the Christian community into the freedom struggle. He borrowed and earned money to pay his way through college, but was later expelled for moving a resolution at the Catholic Students Union, urging it to throw open its doors to non-Catholic students. In 1937, Joachim presided over a large meeting of Christians in Bombay addressed by Jawaharlal Nehru. As a young intellectual, he was the other brilliant orator in that meeting. Joachim after all was the best speaker in St Xavier's College in the year year 1927. He also won the gold medal at All-India Inter-Collegiate Oratorical Competitions, Banaras University, 1934. Joachim was actively involved in organising the 'No-Tax' campaign at the Bardoli Satyagraha, the boycotting of the Simon Commission and appointed President of the Bombay Congress 'War Council'. Imprisoned twice by British Indian authorities on charges of sedition for a total of three years, Joachim Alva was jail companion to Vallabhbhai Patel, Jayaprakash Narayan, Morarji Desai and J. C. Kumarappa. In 1934, Mahatma Gandhi wrote a letter to Joachim to inform him that he had missed him at Yerwada Jail because of his early release. He played an important role in the freedom struggle In 1941, in Nasik prison, Joachim wrote two books: Men and Supermen of Hindustan and Indian Christians and Nationalism. Although the manuscripts of both were confiscated by prison authorities, Men and Supermen of Hindustan was subsequently re-drafted and published in 1943. An early advocate of planning, the public sector, nationalised banking and state control over major industries, he condemned France's napalm bombing of Indo-China and staunchly supported the Vietnamese cause. In 1962, Joachim led India's attempts for closer ties with China, meeting Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai in passed away on June 28, 1979 at the age of 72. In 1937, Joachim Alva married Violet, a Gujarati Protestant from Ahmedabad and professor of English at St. Xavier's Indian Women's University College. Violet would also go on to become active in national politics. In 1943, she was arrested by British Indian authorities. She carried her five-month-old baby son, Chittaranjan, into Arthur Road Jail where she was imprisoned. Violet was born Violet Hari on April 24, 1908 in Ahmedabad. She was the eighth of nine children. Violet's father, Reverend Laxman Hari, was an Indian pastor of the Church of England. She graduated from St. Xavier's College, Bombay and Government Law College. For a while thereafter, she was a professor of English at the Indian Women's University, Bombay. Illustration: Pariplab Chakraborty On August 9, 1943, the first anniversary of Quit India Day, Joachim and Violet founded and debuted Forum , a weekly news magazine which became known for championing the cause of independence. The magazine became a platform for patriotic Indians to write without fear and put across the Indian point of view in times of British rule. Forum blazed a trail in Indian journalism, marking the beginning of a trend of political weekly news magazines. Joachim's office was often raided for seditious material. In spite of the sweeping powers of the British Raj, he penned a historic editorial, 'Halt This March To the Gallows'. In 1944, Violet also started a women's magazine, The Begum , later renamed Indian Women . From 1945 to 1953 she was the secretary of the Agripara Rehawasi Sevamandal in Mumbai. In 1946–47 she was the deputy chairperson of the Bombay Municipal Corporation. In 1944, she was the first woman advocate in India to argue a case before a full high court. In 1947, Alva served as an honorary magistrate in Mumbai; and from 1948 to 1954, she served as the president of the juvenile court. She was actively involved with numerous social organisations such as the Young Women's Christian Association, the Business and Professional Women's Association and the International Federation of Women Lawyers. She was also the first woman to be elected to the Standing Committee of the All India Newspaper Editors Conference in 1952. In 1952, Violet was elected to the Rajya Sabha, where she made significant contributions to family planning, rights of animals subjected to research and defence strategy, especially the naval sector. She cautioned the government to be careful when dealing with foreign capital and supported linguistic states. She was Union deputy minister for home affairs from 1957 to 1962 when Jawaharlal Nehru was prime minister. In 1962, Violet became the deputy chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, thereby becoming the first female to preside over the Rajya Sabha in its history. She served two consecutive terms in Rajya Sabha as deputy chairperson. Her first term commenced on April 19, 1962 and continued until April 2, 1966. Her second term began with her election to the office of deputy chairperson on April 7, 1966 and she held the position until November 16, 1969. In 1969, Violet resigned after Indira Gandhi declined to back her as vice-president of India. Five days after she resigned as the deputy chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, on November 20, 1969, she died from cerebral haemorrhage at her residence in New Delhi. Following Violet's death, both Houses of the Parliament were adjourned for a short interval that day as a mark of respect to her. The couple were close associates of Khin Kyi, Burma's ambassador to India from 1960, widow of Burmese nationalist General Aung San. A portrait of Joachim and Violet Alva the first parliamentarian couple was unveiled in Parliament in 2007. A commemorative stamp of late Joachim and Violet Alva was released by President Pratibha Patil in New Delhi in November 2008, coinciding with the birth centenary year of Violet Alva. Joachim and Violet Alva had two sons, Niranjan and Chittaranjan, and a daughter, Maya. Niranjan is married to Margaret Alva, née Margaret Nazareth, former general secretary of the All India Congress Committee, former Union minister and governor of Uttarakhand and Rajasthan. Qurban Ali is a trilingual journalist who has covered some of modern India's major political, social and economic developments. He has a keen interest in India's freedom struggle and is now documenting the history of the socialist movement in the country. The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
NDTV
10-06-2025
- Business
- NDTV
UK Accountant Sacked For Being Non-Catholic By Church
An accountant in the UK has successfully won a lawsuit against the Catholic diocese after she was sacked from her job for being non-Catholic. Janet Parker, 55, had a falling out with her boss after she requested leave to take care of her newly adopted daughter. The Bristol church did not approve her request and later fired her from her Rs 69 lakh-a-year role (approximately £60,000). As per Ms Parker, after rejecting her request, the Clifton Diocese subjected her to a 'witch hunt' investigation by the managers for alleged professional negligence, which ultimately led to the sacking. She added that the diocese's approach to her flexible working request was 'tainted by negative views of adoption, emanating from the religious beliefs of its staff'. "This behaviour is not in accordance with the professed beliefs of the Catholic Church," said Ms Parker, according to The Telegraph. "I know that the Catholic Church does not have a blemish-free history when it comes to adopted children or children in care, but I hoped that this kind of prejudice had been eradicated long ago. Maybe I am wrong." Church found guilty Details of the disciplinary hearing conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAEW) showed that the church was guilty of discrimination and harassment and ruled that it had unfairly sacked Ms Parker in 2021 because she was not religious. The tribunal described Ms Parker, a Cambridge University alumnus, as a "very intelligent, articulate and able woman", who had been a chartered accountant since 1998 and worked with Deloitte and Credit Suisse before moving to the charity sector in 2009. After being fired, Ms Parker sent an expletive-ridden message to her boss, Lyn Murray, which read: 'There is one thing I always wanted to say to you. Now I can. F*** OFF YOU B*TCH', and 'Your god might forgive you but I never will. B*tch.' Despite this, the employment tribunal judge backed Ms Parker's claims. Compensation for Ms Parker has yet to be set, and it is understood that the diocese is to appeal the ruling. Speaking after the ruling, Ms Parker said she had experienced "four years of hell", adding that she hates the Catholic church and that thet "cannot be trusted".
Herald Malaysia
05-06-2025
- General
- Herald Malaysia
Pope Leo's aim for basilica at Eucharistic miracle site in Peru impeded by legal dispute
As bishop of Chiclayo in Peru, Pope Leo XIV sought to build a basilica at the site of a Eucharistic miracle, currently a chapel. Jun 05, 2025 Chapel built on the remains of the old church where, in 1649, the apparition of the Child Jesus took place in a consecrated host in Eten, Peru. Currently, it is not under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Chiclayo but is administered by the so-called Multisectoral Committee of Eten City. | Credit: Diego López Marina/EWTN News By Diego López Colín As bishop of Chiclayo in Peru, Pope Leo XIV sought to build a basilica at the site of a Eucharistic miracle, currently a chapel. However, that goal has been impeded by a dispute over who owns the land and marred by the fact that non-Catholic liturgies have been held there. The Peruvian government recently declared the site to be 'of national Interest,' introducing another factor into the matter. Jesús León Ángeles, coordinator of the group 1649 Eucharistic Miracle in Peru, explained the situation to ACI Prensa, CNA's Spanish-language news partner. 'In 2021, Pope Leo XIV — then bishop of Chiclayo — began a crusade for the construction of the Eucharistic Shrine of Peru on an 11-hectare [27-acre] plot of land he obtained in the Ciudad Eten district [of the Lambayeque region of Chiclayo province], where the country's only Eucharistic miracle occurred in 1649,' León said. León, who worked with then-Bishop Robert Prevost on the project, said that 'Pope Leo XIV's heart is full of love for our country,' which is why he dedicated part of his pastoral mission to promote the development of the shrine. However, she explained that there are multiple obstacles to the construction of the Eten shrine. Just as the story of the Eten miracle 'traces back to a sacrilege in Quito,' she said, today it also 'has sacrilege and the desecration of the sacred place as stumbling blocks.' The miracle of 1649: When the Divine Child appeared in the host On Jan. 20, 1649, ciboria and consecrated hosts were stolen from the St. Clare Convent in Quito. When the sad news reached northern Peru, Masses of reparation were offered. Then on June 2, 1649, the eve of Corpus Christi, residents of Ciudad Eten claimed to see the Divine Child Jesus in a consecrated host. A month later, on the feast of St. Mary Magdalene, four Franciscan priests claimed to have witnessed the same apparition. Later, the image of the Child on the host disappeared, and in its place were three hearts, a symbol of the Holy Trinity. 'In 1649, people wept, the bells rang, and that grief spread throughout Peru. We are in the northern region, and the Franciscan priests were here at that time,' León explained. This event, which is recorded in the Vatican Library in Rome, in the General Archive of the Indies in Seville, Spain, and in the library of St. Francis Convent Convent in Lima, was also celebrated by Blessed Carlo Acutis, who included it in his famous compilation of Eucharistic miracles. In 2019, Prevost, as bishop of Chiclayo, initiated a process with the Vatican for the recognition of the Eucharistic miracle. The prelate told ACI Prensa that the miracle is well documented by 'the history, the data, the continuous devotion over these 370 years' in the city of Eten and that in that sense 'the miracle is approved.' Multisectoral Committee opposes Church authority One of the main obstacles to the construction of the long-awaited Eten shrine has been the opposition of the so-called 'Multisectoral Committee of Eten City,' a group of residents who claim to have owned the land for more than 50 years. 'Multisectoral' means 'representing a broad section of society.' 'Unfortunately — and I say this with shame — there is a group of fellow countrymen, my fellow countrymen from here in Eten, called the Multisectoral Committee, who have taken over the chapel and are bringing in false priests,' lamented Christian Pulcan, a member of the Catholic group 1649 Eucharistic Miracle in Peru. Italo Chafloc, president of the committee, defended their position: 'We just want them to respect our ownership of the land we have occupied for more than 50 years,' he said. 'We have never closed the gates; we have always been open to dialogue.' Chafloc further indicated that 'there is a legal issue that has been in process for some time.' However, he maintained that 'the role of the justice system takes a long time and is a process that is dragging on.' However, the problems go beyond a legal dispute between the diocese and the committee. Non-Catholic ceremonies and fake priests In July 2018, Bishop Prevost was prevented from entering the chapel after learning that a supposed Mass was being celebrated without permission. Police intervened and found four men dressed as priests who later identified themselves as Anglicans. However, upon consulting with the official Anglican Church, that institution denied that they were members. 'I am a servant appointed by Pope Francis, the bishop of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Chiclayo. I came to this chapel and they closed the gates on me,' Prevost declared at the time, making a statement to the authorities. According to Pulcan, Prevost was celebrating Mass at the St. Mary Magdalene Parish in Eten. 'After Mass, he was informed that there was another liturgical celebration taking place here in this chapel. The [future] pope was celebrating alongside the parish priest of Eten, and therefore, there could not be another simultaneous celebration without his authorization,' he explained. Upon learning of this, the then-bishop of Chiclayo went to the Eten chapel. 'Unfortunately, the group closed the iron gates and did not allow them to enter,' Pulcan added. Similar situations have also taken place recently, including some witnessed by the team from the Spanish-language edition of EWTN News when they visited the site. On May 11, a man named Fernando Hoyos Ortega presided over a ceremony in which he distributed Communion without being a priest. He claimed to be an Episcopalian and said he had been invited by the Multisectoral Committee. 'Those who invited me to celebrate Mass were the people of Eten, not the diocese. That's why you don't need a special permit for that,' Hoyos stated. In 2019, the diocese had specifically addressed Hoyos' situation with a statement signed by then-Bishop Prevost, saying: 'Fernando Hoyos is not a priest, nor does he have any type of authorization from the Diocese of Chiclayo to celebrate any liturgical act.' Despite that statement, the president of the Multisectoral Committee recently stated that he was unaware that Hoyos was not Catholic: 'Of course, now that you've just... let's say, practically clarified it for me, well, yes,' Chafló said when asked by EWTN News. According to Pulcan, another man named Héctor Urteaga has also gone to the chapel to celebrate non-Catholic ceremonies, supposedly as a bishop. 'David Peña also came, who claimed to be a bishop. And currently, Mr. Fernando Hoyos, president of the Chiclayo Autism Association, is coming,' he added. 'It's important for people to know all of this, because many are unaware of it. Valid liturgical celebrations in Eten take place at St. Mary Magdalene Parish. All celebrations must take place there,' the layman noted. Pope Leo XIV's objective: A basilica and a hospital Despite the obstacles, in 2022 the Diocese of Chiclayo succeeded in obtaining a land lease from the regional government for use of an 11-hectare plot of land that includes the site of the miracle. Prevost's original plan included a basilica, a pilgrim guesthouse, a hospital, and an artisan park for crafts, food, and performances. However, the project's progress has been curtailed by legal disputes. The diocese's lawyer, Ulises Damián, explained that there are currently two legal proceedings to determine ownership of the land. The occupants of the site claim continuous possession for more than a decade, while the Church maintains that it is a cultural heritage site, meaning the state can only grant temporary use, not ownership. 'Legally, over time, they have attempted to access the property... however, that area has been declared a cultural heritage site,' Damián said. 'When the Ministry of Culture prepared a report, it was determined that there are not just old but pre-Hispanic vestiges.' For this reason, according to the lawyer, usage rights of the land are claimed not only by the diocese but also the Lambayeque regional government itself, the current legal owner of the property. Damián also referred to the Multisectoral Committee that currently occupies the site, indicating that, although it has been formalized as an organization, it does not have the authority to administer churches or religious assets. 'Initially, they helped the priest during the feast of the Child of the Miracle, but over time, this became distorted. At one point, they even brought in people outside the Catholic Church who pretended to be priests,' he lamented. Despite the conflict, the lawyer reiterated the diocese's willingness to engage in dialogue with the occupiers. However, he insisted that communion with the Church requires respect for its authority. 'The Church does not impose; the Church is a mother and teacher. But whoever wants to be within it must respect its hierarchy and doctrine,' he emphasized. Both national and pending Vatican recognition On May 17, the Peruvian government declared Ciudad Eten a 'Eucharistic City of National Interest' and announced on May 21 that it would be part of the country's 'Paths of Pope Leo XIV' tourism route. Nonetheless, while the legal status of the land remains unresolved and the sacrileges continue, construction of the basilica shrine cannot move forward. When he was prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, then-Cardinal Robert Prevost sought Vatican recognition for the Eucharistic miracle. In 2019, he presented Pope Francis with a document detailing the history of the devotion, which compiles 20,000 testimonies of faith. Since then, the Holy See has retained the documentation. Today, with Prevost having become Pope Leo XIV, official recognition of the miracle is in his hands.--CNA
Irish Independent
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Campaign group hold meeting to push for non-religious secondary school in Dublin 8
A public meeting is scheduled for next Tuesday, May 27, to update residents on efforts to tackle the severe shortage of school places and to gather community feedback. 'We've been fighting for a new multi-denominational secondary school in Dublin 8 for a couple of years now,' said Louise Fitzpatrick, spokesperson for local campaign group, Educate D8. 'Nearly half the children living here have to leave the area to attend secondary school, and this has been an ongoing issue. 'Our main focus has been securing meetings with politicians – especially the Minister for Education and the Department of Education. We've had several meetings where we felt listened to, but the frustration remains,' she added. According to Louise, the Department of Education is unwilling to build new schools in the area for three main reasons. Firstly, the Department's projections suggest the youth population will decline after 2031, so they are reportedly focusing only on expanding or upgrading existing schools. Secondly, when planning new schools, the Department does not consider religious demographics. Thirdly, the Department argues there is enough school capacity within Dublin 8 and nearby areas combined. However, Educate D8 disputes this claim, saying the definition of 'surrounding area' is vague, and the actual local capacity does not meet the community's needs. 'They do not look at demographics in the area; religion is not something they consider at all,' Ms Fitzpatrick said. 'In an area like Dublin 8, where 62pc of the population is not Catholic, that seems quite unreasonable.' ADVERTISEMENT Educate D8 also points out that the Department discounts the presence of private or fee-paying schools in other areas when calculating capacity, which Louise says entrenches inequality. 'If you live in an area with lots of private schools, like Blackrock, you're more likely to have public schools built for you,' she said. 'But if you live in an area like Dublin 8, where the majority population is non-Catholic, the Department doesn't consider that when looking at provision. That's just not fair.' A further claim from the Department is that adequate secondary school capacity exists within a three-kilometre radius of most Dublin 8 students — including schools outside the immediate neighbourhood. But Ms Fitzpatrick highlighted a number of practical issues with this approach. 'Three kilometres in a busy urban setting can be an hour on a bus, or a dangerous cycling route across busy, traffic-heavy roads. It's not as easy as just saying there are schools nearby,' she said. The public meeting next week is designed to present an update on the Department's position and the campaign's response, as well as to explore future options with the community. The event will also feature local politicians and principals from nearby schools, giving them a chance to share their views and hear directly from parents and residents. Representatives from Gaelcholáiste 2468, another action group fighting for choice in secondary education who have faced similar struggles, will attend to offer insights and advice based on their experience. Ms Fitzpatrick said the campaign's focus remains largely on long-term planning. 'There are some short-term wins, like Harold's Cross opening enrolment to Dublin 8 students, and the Mercy School in Inchicore, while a new religious school is under construction to increase capacity and give students more options,' she said. 'In Dublin 8, we have five multi-denominational primary schools but no corresponding secondary school, which is the opposite of many other parts of the country.' The Department of Education has been contacted for comment.
