Religious education and the public: The contribution of "The Challenge of Peace"
Abstract
This study proceeds from an interdisciplinary analysis of contemporary American culture which presents themes of fragmentation and individualism as problematic. The response of organized religion to these phenomena has often been either accommodation to or extreme reaction against them. A more responsible alternative called the "public church," composed of congregations both faithful to their particular traditions and willing to work with others for the sake of a renewed public life, is then outlined. A major concern of the public church must be identifying and teaching ethical values true to the traditions of its various members, yet viable in dialogue with others in striving to realize the common good. Thus its two primary educational tasks are defined as: (1) education of "disciple-citizens" within a public church: a grounding in the ethical dimensions of Christian tradition, accomplished primarily within the faith community to prepare its members for public involvement; and (2) education of the public: the cooperative effort of disciple-citizens with others to engage in dialogue and action toward a new public consensus. As an illustration of the two tasks and their moral underpinnings, the study focuses on the 1983 pastoral letter of the American Catholic Bishops, The Challenge of Peace: God's Promise and Our Response. After some background examination of the historical circumstances of Catholicism in the United States, an analysis of the letter draws out the ways it is attentive to the two overlapping but distinct audiences it addresses--the Catholic faithful and all people of good will--and thus to the two educational tasks. Finally, the insights gained from this investigation are applied to practical issues of teaching and implementation of the letter, through examination of selected curricular programs based directly or indirectly on The Challenge of Peace, the experience of teachers, and efforts at public implementation.
Recommended Citation
Maureen R O'Brien,
"Religious education and the public: The contribution of "The Challenge of Peace""
(January 1, 1990).
Boston College Dissertations and Theses.
Paper AAI9101679.
http://escholarship.bc.edu/dissertations/AAI9101679
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