IICS Lecture
The Director of Mater Dei Centre for Catholic Education, Dr. Gareth Byrne visited the Irish Institute for Catholic Studies (IICS), Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick, on Wed evening 3rd April 2019.
Dr. Byrne’s lecture, the most recent in a series of public lectures provided for by the IICS, was on the topic: ‘Rediscovering the mission of Catholic schools in a plural society’. Dr. Byrne’s input was very much welcomed and created quite a conversation on the night. Local school principals and teachers joined with lecturers in education, religious education, theology, philosophy and medicine, reflected together on the issues, along with doctoral students and other interested parties.
The lively debate focused on how we can envisage the role of the Catholic school in contemporary society, and the particular contribution it can make both to the flourishing of young people and the betterment of society. Dr. Byrne was able to provide new statistical information from his forthcoming book, edited with Leslie J. Francis, Religion and education: The voice of young people in Ireland.
Many thanks to Dr. Patricia Kieran, IICS Director, for the invitation and warm welcome.