Thomas More Institute

In many Catholic schools, education has become more difficult to distinguish from secular alternatives – though often of higher academic quality. Even Catholic authorities tend to lay more stress on academic performance and values such as ‘inclusiveness’ than on Catholic formation. The speakers outlined the most important ingredients in a Catholic education and formation. They then discussed a public policy environment which is often hostile in Western countries. Even where Catholic education is state-financed, freedom may be limited. Catholic social teaching, however, radically demands integral involvement of parents in choosing schools. If implemented in public policy, this would enormously increase freedom for parents and schools. Whilst humanists and secularists campaign for policies to end religious schooling, the Catholic Church seeks freedom for all parents.

Dr. Alting von Geusau has degrees Law from Leiden and Heidelberg. He studied Philosophy at Steubenville and has a doctorate from Vienna. He has practised law in Amsterdam and Brussels. Currently he is Chief Development Officer at the International Theological Institute near Vienna. He was founding president of the Phoenix Institute Europe Foundation and has founded also the Schola Thomas Morus, a Gymnasium near Vienna.  He has published on Christian identity and human dignity. Prof. Booth is Editorial and Programme Director, IEA, and Professor of Insurance & Risk Management, Cass Business School, City University, London. Formerly he worked at the Bank of England as a special advisor. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries and of the Royal Statistical Society. He has 20 years experience as a school governor, and has published widely. Together the speakers have written Catholic Education in the West: Roots, Realities and Revival, published by Acton Press in September 2013, copies of which we hope to have on sale on the night for signing by the authors.