A reception to honour the Catholic Church’s contribution to education in England and Wales took place in the Houses of Parliament on 10 February.
More than 30 MPs and Peers from across the political spectrum attended the event, including Bridget Phillipson MP, Secretary of State for Education; former Conservative Education Secretaries Damian Hinds MP and Sir Gavin Williamson MP; Munira Wilson, Liberal Democrat MP for Twickenham, and Education, Children and Families Spokesperson; as well as directors of education and episcopal vicars from dioceses, together representing 10% of the state-funded schools sector.
MPs and Members of the House of Lords from a range of faiths and beliefs were present, along with leaders of Catholic multi-academy trusts and representatives from St Mary’s and Liverpool Hope, two of England’s Catholic universities.
The celebration was hosted by Mike Kane, Labour MP for Wythenshawe and Sale East, and organised by the Catholic Education Service (CES). Mr Kane said it was good to see so many advocates in Parliament for Catholic education, and that families valued the importance of the emphasis on dignity and respect taught in Catholic schools.
The keynote address was given by the Rt Rev Marcus Stock, Bishop of Leeds, Apostolic Administrator for the Diocese of Middlesbrough, and Chairman of the CES. He spoke of the long-standing partnership between the Catholic education sector and Parliamentarians of all parties and faith backgrounds.
Bishop Marcus said: “We share a concern for the flourishing of children and young people, for social mobility, and for the strengthening of local communities.
“Catholic education is, at its best, a quiet but steady presence, which is rooted in service, attentive to the needs of the most vulnerable, and committed to forming young people not only for employment, but for responsible citizenship and shared life in our society.”
There are 2,135 Catholic schools and colleges in England and Wales, educating more than 800,000 students, making the Catholic Church the largest single provider of secondary education and second largest of primary education in the country. There are also four Catholic universities in England.
Photographs by Mazur-CBCEW
