Catholic schools in France

You may think that I'm getting very chummy with the Catholic Church in France because I write about what is happening in its circles and I mention a number of activities our church is involved in which are run by our 3 churches : Evangelical, Reformed and Catholic.

In fact, I read from a number of sources so I am getting info about what's happening.

From my earliest days in France, at Bible College, I was aware of the enormous Catholic Culture that underpins so much of what happens in France. I was also amazed at how much Protestants and Evangelicals were a minority and even considered as religious sects.

However, I have always been convinced that the LORD could and would renew the Catholic Church from the inside and this would bring about REVIVAL and CONVERSIONS. Working through the Catholic Church would have much wider ramifications than through our small evangelical churches. (I'm talking about the Holy Spirit - not me! I'm well and truly committed to Evangelical Churches!)

We are seeing steady growth within the charismatic and pentecostal churches now and they are being targetted by the media searching for scandal in order to sully their reputation.

I came across an article on the Catholic School system which confirms my thoughts on reaching people for God through Catholicism. "Le défi de l'enseignement catho. Oser une parole de foi." (the magazine La Vie, 24th Sept. 2009) "The major challenge that the Catholic Church faces is to survive the breakaway period of the 1970s and 80s and to find ways in which the youth of today can reconnect with their spiritual heritage."

Since 2005 the bishops have been re-working the basic principles of the Catholic School system to re-affirm their foundations in the Christian faith. Measures include explicitly announcing the Gospel in the schools' religious education classes and including a Christian perspective on every day events in the school day, and teaching Christian culture as a living culture (not just as heritage).

Do you know the Biblical passage where Paul writes to the Corinthians assuring them that it's not important who they ally themselves with (Apollos, Cephas, Paul ...). What is vital is that the Gospel of Jesus-Christ is announced. 1 Corinthians 1:11-17 and 1 Corinthians Chapter 3.  There is evidence of that happening in the Catholic Church - on a national and on a local level. Be thankful that our All-powerful God can reach whomever He wants, and let's pray that more and more people want to hear Him !