According to the New York Post, "cancel culture — the phenomenon of promoting the "canceling" of people, brands and even shows and movies due to what some consider to be offensive or problematic remarks or ideologies — isn't all that new." The online Merriam-Webster dictionary defines this growing trend as "the practice or tendency of engaging in mass canceling as a way of expressing disapproval and exerting social pressure."
Because of this practice, all kinds of people, including religious people, have been ostracized. Some see cancel culture as an effective tool to punish offensive behavior, while others consider it toxic. Can Catholic education rise to the occasion to promote a well-rounded citizen in this kind of environment? How can it exert a positive influence on society?
Why Do Parents Choose Catholic Education?
Parents choose Catholic education for their families because they desire that their children will be immersed in an environment in which they are enabled and encouraged to deepen their relationship with God, in which the academic culture in which they are engaged is aimed at the pursuit of objective truth, and in which they can actively grow in virtue.
How Does Catholic Education Impact the World?
Students who engage with a Catholic education centered on the person of Christ become citizens who value the common good and respect the human dignity of every man, woman, and child. They remain anchored in the values of truth and moral excellence. Not only does best Catholic education focus on promoting virtue but also excellence as a worthwhile pursuit. Young people who attend Catholic schools should be encouraged to follow greatness with zeal and relentlessness. They should not settle for mediocrity because real-life demands achievers and hard workers.
One writer in Crisis Magazine argues that the most authentic Catholic educational model needs to pursue “unique exceptionalism,” meaning that schools or colleges that regard themselves as offering Catholic education need to insist on highlighting "goodness, beauty, and truth" in all aspects of their curriculum.
The best Catholic education employs the time-tested classical Christian model of instruction. Also known as the Trivium, classical education classifies learning in three stages, which mirror the natural development of a child: grammar, logic, and rhetoric. According to the Association of Classical Christian Schools (ACCS), this type of education is built on the foundation of the seven Christian virtues: courage, self-control, justice, wisdom, faith, hope, and love.
A study by ACCS found that students with a classical education outperformed their counterparts in other schools. They obtained the highest test scores in many subject areas. As you can see, the world needs classical education for well-rounded citizens. The best Catholic education is well-positioned to save society's culture through Trivium education. Additionally, authentic Catholic education does not cancel culture; rather, it elevates, redeems, and transmits culture to future generations. It seeks out and celebrates truth, beauty, and goodness in all of God’s creation. To learn more, contact Regina Pacis Academy today.
