Role Statement | Catholic Education Office, Christchurch

Preamble

Before defining and detailing the role of the Catholic Education Office it is important to note the distinction between governance and administration/management.

Governance has a particular meaning in church law. It relates to the formulation of policy and the one who governs is responsible for policy. Administrators/Managers, by contrast, put into operation the policy so determined ³.

Canon 129 of the Code of Canon Law (1983) provides that those who are in sacred orders are capable of the power of governance …

Can. 129 §1. Those who have received sacred orders are qualified, according to the norm of the prescripts of the law, for the power of governance, which exists in the Church by divine institution and is also called the power of jurisdiction.

It is the Bishop who governs the diocese. Canon 391 provides that “it is for the diocesan Bishop to govern the particular church entrusted to him with legislative, executive and judicial power according to the norm of law”.

However, Canon 129 of the Code of Canon Law (1983) also provides that lay members of Christ's faithful can cooperate in the exercise of this same power …

Can. 129 §2. Lay members of the Christian faithful can cooperate in the exercise of this same power according to the norm of law.

Thus it is the Bishop who exercises governance of the Catholic Education Office; and it is in the context of Canon 129 §2 that members of the Catholic Education Office team are called to provide visionary leadership and advocacy, and proactively make recommendations to the Bishop and deliver approved services in the name of the Bishop that will enhance Catholic education throughout the Diocese of Christchurch, and beyond.

A right ordering of such a relationship with, and accountability to, the Bishop is founded on an understanding of the concepts of communio and subsidiarity.

Pope John Paul II, in his apostolic letter Novo Millenio Ineunte, refers to the importance of the spirituality of communion in grounding relationships within church life ⁴…

… the spirituality of communion, by prompting a trust and openness wholly in accord with the dignity of and responsibility of every member of the people of God, supplies institutional reality with a soul (Novo Millenio Ineunte n.45).

Subsidiarity is the concept of a central governing body pemitting its member entities to take decisions on issues best dealt with at a local level; it proposes that higher or more complex entities should only assume functions that can no longer be met by individuals or smaller entities.

Subsidiarity, as it might apply within the church, does not seek to minimise the role of the 'higher' authority. On the contrary, the communion that exists between those who exercise authority and those whom they serve can determine the right level at which initiatives are undertaken and decisions made ³.

In other words, the Catholic Education Office team members exercise their delegated authority i n communion with, and are accountable to, both the governing authority of the Bishop above and those whom they serve.

In this way, in the name of the Bishop, the Catholic Education Office provides “a living institutional witness to Christ and his message”¹ and in this manner contributes to the Church's mission of building the Kingdom of God .

Role of the Catholic Education Office

The Catholic Education Office provides leadership and service to Catholic schools and parishes in the Diocese of Christchurch, thereby enhancing the quality of the education, formation, support and spiritual growth of:

principals, directors of religious studies, teachers, proprietor's appointees and elected members of Boards of Trustees working/governing in our Catholic schools;
teachers enrolled in academic and pastoral adult faith education and formation programmes;
students enrolled in Catholic schools;
students enrolled in parish-based primary and secondary religious education programmes;
parishioners enrolled in academic and pastoral adult faith education and formation programmes;
parishioners involved in education-in-faith programmes
parishioners, young and old, enrolled in parish sacramental programmes, RCIC and RCIA process, etc.

In discharging its mandate from the Bishop, the Catholic Education Office team members, through the Manager, accept the delegated authority and responsibility appropriate for the implementation and management of diocesan policy and priorities.

In so far as the Bishop has given the Manager and the Catholic Education Office team members the authority and responsibility to act on his behalf, the specific function of the CEO includes the following:

¹John Paul II. Ex Corde Ecclesiae – On Catholic Universities. Apostolic Constitution ( 15 August 1990 )

³Moore , M. (1995). Creating Public Value. Massachusetts : Harvard University Press

⁴Lucas, B., Slack, P., d'Apice, W. (2008). Church Administration Handbook. Sydney : St Pauls Publications

1. STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP AND DIRECTION

(a) Preparing for the Bishop of Christchurch (the Bishop) , through the Diocesan Education Council, documentation and policy recommendations relating to:

A Vision and Purpose/Mission for the Catholic Education Office.
A Strategic Development Framework for the Catholic Education Office which provides direction for the best utilisation of personnel and resources.
Other issues determined by the Bishop.

(b) Publication of an Annual Business Plan which details the focus of Catholic Education Office's initiatives for the coming year.

(c) Supporting , encouraging and leading those involved in the ministry of teaching and administration in Catholic schools.

(d) Directing and supporting schools in the development and implementation of an annual self-review for their school community, within the context of the NZCBC's National Catholic Special Character Review and Development document and process.

(e) Implementing and reviewing effective processes of monitoring and accountability for the legal requirements of diocesan schools, within the requirements of the Education Act and the Private Schools Conditional Integration Act (1975), via the annual attestation report from Boards of Trustees.

(f) Ensuring the effective implementation of religious education programmes in all Catholic primary and secondary schools through:

The implementation of the mandated NZ Catholic Bishops Conference's (NZCBC) primary religious education curriculum and secondary religious education curriculum.
The provision of professional development for directors of religious education, principals and teachers.
Using the NZCBC's National Catholic Special Character Review and Development document and process, monitoring, and reporting on, religious education learning outcomes.

(g) Supporting , encouraging and leading those involved in the various ministries of teaching, formation, sacramental preparation and administration in Catholic parish communities.

(h) Ensuring the effective implementation of primary parish religious education (PPRE) programmes and secondary parish religious education (SPRE) programmes in parishes through:

The implementation of the mandated NZ Catholic Bishops Conference's (NZCBC) PPRE curriculum and SPRE curriculum.
The provision of professional development for catechists of PPRE and SPRE.

(i) The provision of quality adult learning and education-in-faith development opportunities for parishioners.

(j) Informing the Bishop (and the Diocesan Education Council and/or the Diocesan Board of Management & Finance, as appropriate), of the implications of significant developments relating to:

New Zealand Catholic Education Office (NZCEO).
National Centre for Religious Studies (NCRS).
New Zealand Council for Proprietors of Catholic Integrated Schools (NZCPCIS).
Catholic Primary Principals' Association and the Catholic Secondary Principals' Association.
Congregational Leaders of Religious Institutes and Congregational secondary schools.
Ministry of Education.
Education Review Office.
New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).
University of Canterbury College of Education.
Wellington Catholic Education Centre.
Good Shepherd College .
Other relevant bodies as shall be determined from time to time.

2. STUDENTS AND THEIR LEARNING

(a) Supporting and challenging schools to improve learning in religious education and to initiate remedial support when they might be struggling in this area.

(b) Supporting and challenging schools to ensure that learning opportunities in all curriculum areas and pastoral care programmes/processes are imbued with a Catholic perspective/dimension.

(c) Reporting (where appropriate) examination benchmarks to indicate student achievement outcomes in the Catholic secondary school system.

(d) Assisting schools in the utilisation of planning and evaluation material to increase student performance/understanding in religious education.

(e) Ensuring the provision of high-quality inservice programmes that enhance the delivery of teaching and religious education learning priorities in Catholic schools.

(f) Using the NZCBC's National Catholic Special Character Review and Development document and process, monitoring, and reporting on, religious education learning outcomes, Catholic community and pastoral care outcomes.

(g) Providing, within the limit of available funds, services that meet the particular learning needs of individual teaching staff .

(h) Supporting parishes to improve learning in PPRE and SPRE programmes and sacramental programmes, and to initiate remedial support when they might be struggling in this area.

(i) Assisting parishes in the utilisation of planning and evaluation material to increase student performance/understanding in PPRE and SPRE programmes.

(j) Monitoring, and reporting on, religious education learning outcomes in parish-based religious education programmes.

(k) Ensuring the provision of high-quality inservice programmes that enhance the delivery of teaching and learning priorities in parish-based religious education and sacramental preparation programmes.

(l) Assisting parishioners in their ongoing learning in, and understanding of, their Catholic faith.

(m) Providing, within the limit of available funds, services that meet the particular learning needs of individual catechists/parish personnel .

3. PERSONNEL

(a) Recruiting, selecting and appointing, in consultation with and on behalf of the Bishop, staff for the Catholic Education Office who will promote love for God and an understanding of the Catholic faith as expressed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which is “a statement of the Church's faith and of Catholic doctrine, attested to or illumined by Sacred Scripture, the Apostolic Tradition, and the Church's Magisterium” ².

(b) Providing access to appropriate professional development opportunities for the Catholic Education Office staff; in order to continue to ensure high-quality service provision from Catholic Education Office personnel.

(c) Refining and implementing effective reporting, monitoring, evaluating and appraisal processes for the Catholic Education Office staff.

(d) Promoting and maintaining an effective system of employment relations within the Catholic Education Office team.

(e) Carrying out, on behalf of the Bishop, referee checks for staff applying for tagged teaching positions in Catholic primary schools.

(f) Providing effective Catholic special character professional development and training for teachers, directors of religious studies and principals in the Catholic primary and secondary schools in the Diocese of Christchurch.

(g) Identifying and developing high-quality personnel for school leadership positions, including those aspiring to leadership positions in Catholic schools, in order to ensure sustainability in the succession of staff to leadership positions.

(h) Providing effective professional development and training for catechists of parish-based religious education and sacramental preparation programmes.

4. SERVICES

(a) Providing and ensuring effective supporting administration and management services on behalf of, and for, the Bishop.

(b) Providing and ensuring effective leadership advice support to schools, school boards of trustees and parishes on behalf of, and for, the Bishop.

(c) Fostering and promoting the partnership of the members of the educational community – principals, teachers, parents, parishioners and priests – in their joint responsibility for the education of students in the schools and parishes of the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch.

5. FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

(a) Ensuring that a proper accounting is made for all monies received and for all payments made within the system.

(b) Providing the diocesan accounts department with appropriate information for the accounting, reporting and auditing of school and Catholic Education Office funds

(c) Preparing for the Diocesan Education Council and the Diocesan Board of Management & Finance an annual budget for Attendance Dues monies, Policy One monies and the Catholic Education Office.

(d) Developing (in consultation with Boards of Trustees) a five-year capital works/maintenance programme for diocesan schools for consideration/approval by the Diocesan Education Council and the Diocesan Board of Management & Finance.

(e) Allocating capital resources to schools according to the budget approved by the Diocesan Education Council and the Diocesan Board of Management & Finance.

(f) Administering the five-year capital works/maintenance programme approved by the Diocesan Education Council and the Diocesan Board of Management & Finance.

(g) Working closely with the diocesan Catholic Development Fund in order to maximise the use of borrowed funds for unforeseen roll growth classrooms in diocesan primary and secondary schools.

6. DEVELOPMENT AND CONSOLIDATION

(a) Advising the Bishop, the Diocesan Education Council and the Diocesan Board of Management & Finance on the proposed development and expansion of existing (and possibly new) schools.

(b) Preparing for the Bishop, the Diocesan Education Council and the Diocesan Board of Management & Finance specific proposals on:

The expansion or contraction of existing schools.
The establishment of new schools.
The closure or amalgamation of existing schools.

7. ACCOUNTABILITY

(a) Preparing an Annual Report that relates Catholic Education Office activities to the strategic direction, priorities and goals articulated in the Catholic Education Office's Strategic Development Framework.

(b) Reporting to the Bishop and the Diocesan Education Council on the implementation of diocesan policy decisions and approved Attendance Dues, Policy One and Catholic Education Office budgets.

8. SERVICE TO THE BISHOP AND THE DIOCESAN EDUCATION COUNCIL

(a) Advising the Bishop and the Diocesan Education Council on matters that they might require, or that the Catholic Education Office considers appropriate.

9. DELEGATIONS

Preamble

The Bishop has established the Catholic Education Office to assist him in his governance and administration of the Diocese of Christchurch.

In performing its work, the Catholic Education Office does so in accordance with Canon 473 §1 …

... Can. 473 §1. A diocesan bishop must take care that all the affairs which belong to the administration of the whole diocese are duly coordinated and are ordered to attain more suitably the good of the portion of the people of God entrusted to him.

In other words, the Catholic Education Office performs its work in “service of the bishop so that, in his ministry of administration, the good of the people of God entrusted to him might be achieved”³.

Thus the Catholic Education Office does not act alone or independently, nor does it replace or compete with the various institutes, or bodies, or particular persons named in the Code of Canon Law as being compulsory elements “of the diocesan curia, i.e.

vicars general;
episcopal vicars;
the moderator of the curia;
the chancellor;
notaries;
archives;
the finance council;
the diocesan financial administrator (sometimes called the 'business manager')
the judicial vicar;
judges and other officials of the diocesan or interdiocesan tribunal.

Also belonging to the internal structure of the diocese but not, in the strict sense, part of the diocesan curia are three other bodies:

the diocesan council of priests (or presbyteral council);
the college of consultors;
the diocesan pastoral council.” ⁴

“In addition to these organs, groups and persons established by the general law of the church, other organs, groups and persons can be established by the bishop as part of the curia through particular law.”⁴ The Catholic Education Office is one such particular, and discretionary, part of the diocesan curia.

It is in the context of Canon 473 §1 that the Bishop, as the one who governs and therefore is responsible for policy, believes it is essential, in the interest of good management and effective administration, to authorise a delegation of certain decision making to the Catholic Education Office.

Such delegation from the Bishop to the Catholic Education Office is an:

“assignment of a duty or power of action … together with the authority to carry out that duty or complete the action assigned with responsibility for the outcome” ⁵.; and
institutional expression of the concepts of communion and subsidiarity.

Such delegation seeks to:

achieve the best use of the talents and abilities of the Catholic Education Office team members;
minimise bureaucratic interference in the work of the Catholic Education Office;
maximise response times to achieving goals and objectives and matters of urgency in the Catholic Education Office's work; and
promote the effective development of Catholic Education Office team members.

It is important to reiterate and/or note that in authorising such delegation:

the Bishop does not lose the function, power or duty by delegation and may exercise this concurrently with the delegate;
the delegate is acting in her/his own name on behalf of the Bishop of Christchurch; and
the Bishop may revoke any such delegation at any time without notice.

A necessary consequence of delegation is the need for clear reporting – such reporting of policy/decision implementation will be in writing (by way of direct reporting to the Bishop and/or the monthly report to the Diocesan Education Council, or other appropriate body/person).

⁵Ashburton District Council. (2004). Delegations Register

Specific Delegations:

(a) NZ Education Act (1989) and the Private Schools Conditional Integration Act (1975)

The Manager of the Catholic Education Office has the delegated authority to monitor compliance with all legal requirements for Catholic School Boards of Trustees under the NZ Education Act (1989) and the Private Schools Conditional Integration Act (1975).