Catholic education offers vision, Bishop of Shrewsbury tells pupils

The Rt Rev Mark Davies said that, by contrast, a Catholic education offered pupils a vision of lives full of purpose, with a a role, or vocation, for each person in harmony with God's created order.

Bishop Davies made his comments in a special Mass held at St Nicholas's Catholic High School in Hartford, Cheshire.

Ten schools were represented, including the Blessed Robert Johnson Catholic College in Wellington, Telford.

"Many young people are being told that we are here in this world by accident, living a life without any ultimate meaning," Bishop Davies said.

"It is an empty and debilitating vision of life. But our Christian faith declares that we are here with a purpose. We have each been called into existence, every one of us created by God out of love."

He told the students from across the Diocese that each of them had a vocation.

Bishop Davies said: "Seeing all your uniforms representing so many schools across the Diocese I want to remind you what it means to be part of the venture of Catholic education – Catholic education which long pre-dates the interest of the State in education.

"It is the vision that created the idea of a university, which inspired artistic achievement and scientific progress based on our conviction that the world makes sense and life has a purpose."

He added: "We are not an accident, but we come from the mind and purpose of the Creator.

"A growing number of voices want no faith in education, the State alone determining what vision of life is to be shared in the classroom.

"However, even if we see our schools one day outlawed, this mission of Catholic education will still go on and continue until the end of time because we cannot live this life, or make sense of the world around us – and, Pope Francis would add, our own place in it – unless we know what on earth we are here for."

The Mass was the main event of a day of activities entitled "Called by Name, Called to Prayer, Called to Action", all based on around the theme of the diocesan Year for Vocations.

Pat Barker, diocesan assistant director of schools (secondary and religious dimension), said the children enjoyed having the opportunity to meet others from different schools.

She said: "I think the schools appreciated the opportunity to gather together throughout the year and especially to gather together at this annual event."