Rome, Italy, Jan 23, 2009 / 21:08 pm
Cardinal Agostino Vallini, Vicar for the Diocese of Rome, has sent a letter to Catholic teachers encouraging them to educate children and young people in hope, giving clear testimony to the Gospel of Christ and striving to always make an important contribution to contemporary culture.
In his letter entitled, “Educating with Hope,” the cardinal pointed out that for the important mission of education it is necessary to keep in mind the role of families. “We cannot forget that the first educators are and will always be the parents, therefore dialogue with the mothers and fathers of your students.”
The cardinal also encouraged teachers to be witnesses to Christ and professionals in their field. “While moral rectitude cannot be substituted by professional competencies, it does promote and cultivate them.”
Cardinal Vallini expanded his call to teachers to include being “witnesses of the truth of the love of God. Children and young people are fervently seeking credible role models: solid, trustworthy teachers capable of offering a word of affectionate closeness at the right time, perceived by both as a gesture of love.”