The Canadian Forum on Theology and Education

Formerly High School Forum (1979-2007)

The University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Thursday May 27th 2010 to Saturday May 29th 2010

Education for Discipleship

"No anthropology can yet be written because humanity is not yet human.”
~ Walter Wink.

Education for Discipleship
with John Dear SJ and Roy Bourgeois MM

Roy Bourgeois: 2010 Nobel Peace Prize nominee: Nominated by The American Friends Service Committee
John Dear: 2009 Nobel Peace Prize nominee: Nominated by Bishop Desmond Tutu

Two Catholic priests: Two Nobel Peace Prize nominees: Together at Forum 2010.

John and Roy will invite us to look at one of the foundational teachings of Jesus, his invitation to live a life characterized by non-violence to each other and to our earth.

Since Vatican II and the re-discovery or re-energizing of the Church’s teachings on social justice, individuals, parish and other communities, schools, and families have worked to help our sisters and brothers in need both locally and around the world.

This has led to involvement in such activities as food banks, cooperative housing initiatives, work trips to Haiti, El Salvador, Jamaica in addition to the traditional Catholic collections for St. Vincent de Paul and hampers for families at Christmas.

What has often got lost is Jesus’ foundational teaching, his insistence on non-violence. Perhaps this is because we see it as the purview of modern day saints and prophets like Dorothy Day Gandhi, Franz Jagerstatter, Martin Luther King Jr, the Berrigans, Liz McAllister, Thomas Merton, Oscar Romero and other witnesses to peace.

Both Canada and the USA are involved in conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Part of the 401, has been renamed “The Highway of Heroes”. In such a political climate it seems patriotic to pray for victory and offer military coop placements in Catholic secondary schools. But where do Jesus’ words of non-violence fit into the picture. John and Roy will offer insight into that lost teaching of Jesus and will help us teach our students how to be peacemakers and show us ways to make our schools and Catholic education an experience of discipleship.

If you would like further information, please contact John Quinn at johnquinn@cfotae.ca or 905-934-9115