Observations and interviews of 20 parishioners in Catholic rural parishes led by female lay pastors in the absence of priests elicited themes about informal and incidental learning: learning content included understanding the Eucharist, the Church, and pastoral leadership; and barriers to learning included priest intervention, history of parish…

Responds to a pro-religious article by de Ruyter on Christian schools in a pluralistic society, suggesting that de Ruyter is unrealistic in many of his recommendations and conclusions and noting that while de Ruyter appears to be building a rather generous defense for the infusion of Christian schools in a democracy, the defense incorporates…

This monograph is a critique of various aspects of the Mackay Report which investigates religious education in the public schools of Ontario and examines questions of moral development. The author centers his comments upon a fundamental general assumption of the Mackay report, that commonly accepted characteristics of moral reasoning can be…

Canadian public education has become secularized. Although the Charter's language on freedom of conscience and religion prohibits religious indoctrination in schools, it does not proscribe education about religion. Generally, Canadian courts have followed and accepted American developments in this regard but have avoided byzantine judgments on…

Reports on research focusing on informal teaching strategies (modeling, coaching, networking, and continuous dialogue) that female pastors used in four rural Canadian Roman Catholic parishes where they led. Addresses factors that affected the pastors when choosing a teaching strategy. Considers the implications that surfaced for adult religious…

Ontario requirements for religious exercises in publicly funded elementary and secondary schools are more like those of England and Scotland than like those of most other Canadian provinces. Ontario regulations insist on religious exercises at the opening of the school day, the exercises to consist of "the reading of the Scriptures or other…

Analyzes and contrasts a number of Roman Catholic documents, published in the United States and foreign countries, emphasizing theological themes which are presented as central to adult religious education. Focuses on the tension between church authority and adult education principles. Concludes that the optimism of the documents is diminished by…

Henry Marshall Tory's role in influencing the establishment of provincial universities in Western Canada is traced. The following periods are discussed: Tory and McGill University in the 1890's, the University of Toronto Act in 1906, Tory and University of Alberta from 1906, and Tory in Ottawa in 1928 and 1938. In following the development of…

On the instruction of the Council of Ontario Universities, the Advisory Committee on Academic Planning has conducted a planning assessment for religious studies on the graduate level. The consultants' report on graduate studies in religion emphasizes the nature of the study of religion; the present situation of religious studies in the relevant…

Denominational instruction within public schools is inadequate for parents whose religious convictions are not satisfied by secular education. Fears of division in society, narrow curriculum, shortage of pupils, and shortage of funding have created legal and practical limits for establishing alternatives. (Author/JAZ)

Reviews variations in Canadian provincial policies related to the role of the church in publicly funded schools. Outlines major court decisions with respect to religion and schools that were based on the 1982 Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which greatly expanded parents' rights and potential influence in schools. (SV)

Discusses developments in religious education in Ontario, Canada public schools over the past 20 years. Reports that public funding of Roman Catholic Schools resulted in 2 public school systems. Reviews the 1989 governmental inquiry into religious education in public schooling and the options for the relationship between government and religion.…

Discusses the standards described in the U.S. book "National Standards for World History." Summarizes the book's content and gives examples of specific topics for different grade levels. Believes that world history teachers in Canada should read this book even though it excludes information on the South Pacific, Australia, and Canada.…

Students deserve an education that offers basic building blocks for responsible citizenship. If teaching about religion is suppressed, students will be left with an incomplete understanding of both Canadian history and contemporary Canadian society. The Multifaith Coalition has developed five values-based principles for responsible citizenship,…

Relates current attempts in the province of Quebec (Canada) to eliminate religious school boards in favor of linguistically-based boards. Claims that the processes employed by the Quebec government to do so subvert the Canadian constitution. Argues for retaining the old religious boards and rejecting linguistic- or ethnic-based educational…