Catholic Education in the West: Roots, Reality, and Revival

Catholic education has played a major role in the development of Western nations, yet it is in many places in crisis. To bring about renewal, it is necessary to revisit the subject with an eye to fundamental questions. What is the purpose of education? What is distinctive about Catholic education? What is the right relationship between schools, parents, Church, and society?

Drawing on Church teaching concerning the nature of the person and the purpose of education, the authors examine the history of Catholic schooling and its current status in various national contexts. In this remarkably concise yet thorough treatment, they chart a promising path forward: policy reform that revitalizes parental freedom and responsibility.