Religion taught in schools may introduce students to other faiths, apart from Catholic teachings, according to a policy document to be discussed by the Church next month.

"Without renouncing to the centrality of the Catholic faith, the document proposes to introduce students to the beauty found in other faith traditions. Such understanding is considered to be central for social conviviality," explained Adrian Gellel, who is responsible for religious education within the Archdiocese of Malta's Schools Secretariat for Catechesis.

The president of the Universal Society of Hinduism, Rajan Zed, yesterday called on the Maltese authorities to replace the subject of religion with comparative religion where students are taught about major world religions, including the viewpoint of non-believers.

When contacted, Dr Gellel explained that, according to the proposed policy document, religious education in schools would not constitute comparative religion as proposed by Mr Zed.

While comparative religion was about teaching students about other faiths, the policy worked towards helping students learn from other religions while keeping the Catholic faith as the core.

Dr Gellel elaborated that in Malta this form of Catholic religious education was enshrined in the Constitution, the Education Act and was in line with the agreement between the Holy See and the government. This guaranteed the teaching of the Catholic faith in state and Church schools. Most private schools opted to follow the same syllabus that is being revised by the secretariat.

"The law only reflects the cultural identity and the beliefs of the majority of students and their parents... However, this should in no way be understood as hindering or as being against inter-disciplinary or inter-religious dialogue," said Dr Gellel, a University lecturer in religious education.

"Students need to be strengthened in their identity, which is prevalently Catholic and, at the same time, equipped with knowledge, skills and attitudes that foster respect and dialogue.

"Students should be gradually open to other faith traditions, to the new religious movements and to the secularist and atheistic philosophies that form part of the present-day worldview," he said.

He explained that last year the secretariat launched the report entitled Religious Education In Schools, which formed the basis for the policy document.

This document is meant to define the role, aims and objectives of Catholic religious education in the broader context of today's society and culture.

"It is hoped religious education will be better equipped to educate students holistically by helping them to construct their personal identity and assisting them to live in a community in respect of others by being morally and ethically responsible," Dr Gellel said.

The policy document will be discussed by the Diocesan Assembly of the Maltese Archdiocese on October 10 before it is presented to the Maltese Episcopal Conference for approval.

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