Why the Bible is so important in Religious Education

Keynote speaker Brenden Thompson invited Catholic schools to join his vision for a “biblical renaissance” in the Catholic Church in England

The importance of the Bible in RE was underlined at the fifth National Association of the Teachers of Catholic RE (ATCRE) conference at Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic School, Birmingham, on Saturday 1 March.

Keynote speaker Brenden Thompson invited Catholic schools to join his vision for a “biblical renaissance” in the Catholic Church in England. Thompson, the programme director of Word on Fire UK, who recently organised an evangelisation and culture conference on the Bible featuring popular American Bishop Robert Barron, emphasised that Catholic schools will play a key role in this renaissance, particularly with the increased focus on scripture in the new Religious Education Directory.

Thompson also reminded approximately 120 teachers in attendance that Catholic schools are the Church’s “largest mission field, and greatest potential for transformation”.

Following Thompson’s talk, seminars were offered by speakers from a variety of organisations, including Lat Blaylock (RE Today), Andy Lewis (St Bonaventure’s), Stuart Ford (Bible Society), Dr Katie Woolstenhulme (Durham University), Theresa Kehoe (Aid to the Church in Need), Matthew Dell (St Mary’s), Greg Finn (Mark 10 Mission), Susan Docherty (Newman University) and Peter Privett and Dr Sue Price (Godly Play UK).

Commenting on “a really, really great day”, Greg Finn, founder of primary school evangelisation mission Mark 10 Mission, told The Tablet that the conference came at a time when “there’s something happening in education which is very exciting”.

“We’ve got a new religious education directory and also a new prayer and liturgy directory. Both have Scripture at the heart of what they’re doing,” Finn said.

“(it’s) really encouraging the way that both of those documents have been structured to promote the importance and the primacy of Scripture.”

Greg Finn led a seminar entitled “Life Changing Encounters with Jesus”. Finn explained the role of the Bible as he tries to “help children contemplate the Gospel and continue their prayerful response to Jesus”.

“Our ministry is really structured around sharing scripture in a way that young people know that they can hear the Word of God, and God speak,” he said.

“We don’t necessarily have to share scripture expecting children and young people to understand every word. But we can share it confidently with them.

“We can allow them to hear it, to ponder it, to contemplate, and to treasure it in their heart and planting seeds that may only come to fruition as they get older.”

The final keynote speaker, Professor Bob Bowie, emphasised that placing Scripture at the heart of Catholic education is about “meaning, not just interpretation”.

The aim of ATCRE is to serve RE teachers in Catholic schools by providing high quality professional development and opportunities for networking and collaboration.

Hollie Marriott, assistant head of RE at All Hallows Catholic School, Farnham and ATCRE vice-chair, lead organiser for the conference, said: “Scripture at the Heart was our theme. Saturday saw the heart of the Catholic RE community come together, celebrate and share all that is beautiful, valuable and rich in our vocation.”

The day was well received by the teachers in attendance. One said: “It reignited my passion for RE and reminded me what drew me to the subject in the first place.” Another attendee highlighted the event’s practical impact, saying: “The balance between inspiration and practical applications has given me great confidence in implementing what I have taken away into my teaching.”

• Find out more about ATCRE: www.atcre.co.uk

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