The Catholic Education Service today (February 2nd) launches Lifelong Learning in the Catholic Tradition: the next steps post-Plater.

The report is being sent to all those who responded to the consultation, all Bishops and key stakeholders involved in lifelong learning, and is also available from this website.

The consultation document was launched on 11th November, and forty-one responses representing both institutions and individuals with an interest in lifelong learning and the Catholic Church. There was no overall consensus, although each of the following three options attracted some support:

• establishing a new alternative ‘Plater Centre’;
• developing the social teaching of the Church; and
• establishing ‘Plater scholarships’.

After a careful analysis of all the responses, the report recommends:

1. On the basis of what they now know from the consultation process, the Trustees should decide whom they wish to involve in further discussions. They should not be confined to those who have responded to the consultation document.
2. It is recommended that the trustees take account of the current provision of Catholic further and higher education in theology, Catholic Social Teaching (CST), and preparation for Christian service as a context for their decision making. The same applies with respect to research expertise in CST.
3. In order to make best use of the resources available and the interest expressed within the Catholic community it is recommended that the principle of collaboration be built into any criteria that might be developed for selecting proposals.
4. This report should be sent to every Bishop to allow further discussion in dioceses. This report, together with a report of subsequent progress, should be presented to the Low Week meeting of the Bishops’ Conference with an indicative plan for the next steps and a timescale.

Archbishop Vincent Nichols said, “I warmly welcome this report and thank all those who have contributed their thoughts and suggestions to this important work to take forward the Plater tradition.  The Archbishop Trustees will reflect carefully on the message of the report and explore ideas for taking forward the Plater tradition further over the comings months.  We will also be seeking the views of our brother Bishops at our Low Week conference.”

For further information, please contact Peter Walsh, pwalsh@cesew.org.uk, 0207 901 4854.