Religious Education of the Catholic Schools: Definitions, Objectives, and Methods

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to investigate the nature of the religious education in which is performed in the Catholic schools in Korea. To accomplish this purpose, this study examined three concepts such as definitions, objectives, and methodological principles of the religious education employed by the Catholic school. This research provides the in-depth review of literature relevant to the subject based upon a vast volume of the Catholic Church s documents and previous studies.The religious education of the Catholic schools can be defined as the education for teaching or learning the Catholic truth, which includes not only traditions of the Catholic Church, but also the precious spirits of people such as love, peace, and justice that have been inherited from age to age. The objective of the religious education is to help students reach the self-development and self-fulfillment so as to be like another Christ. Finally, six general recommendations for better practice of religious education in the Catholic schools were suggested as following: (1) Clarify the objective of religious education, (2) Analyze students needs, (3) Recognize students environments, (4) Do sympathetic teachings, (5) Establish supporting systems for religious education, and (6) promote excellent educational system for teachers of religious education.