Goa: Archbishop Elias Gonsalves has urged Catholic educators across India to reclaim the spiritual heritage of Catholic education and step away from the confines of a purely secular model. Speaking during the concluding Eucharistic celebration of the 56th National Convention of the All India Association of Catholic Schools (AINACS) at the Park Regis Convention Centre, Arpora, Goa, he emphasized the critical need for faith-driven leadership, unity, and spiritual renewal in Catholic educational institutions.
The convention, held from October 7 to 10 under the theme “Renewing the Heart of Catholic Educationists: Standing United in Christ and Faithful in Mission,” brought together educators, administrators, and clergy committed to strengthening Catholic pedagogy. Archbishop Gonsalves highlighted the pressing threats facing education today, including secularism, consumerism, and the erosion of core values. Drawing inspiration from the prophetic words of Joel, he said, “When faith becomes institutional and mission loses fire, God calls His people to repent, renew, and return.”
Unity, he stressed, is indispensable for the vitality of Catholic schools. Quoting Jesus’ warning that “every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste,” the Archbishop urged educators to place Christ at the center of every institution. “A divided school system or staff cannot stand. The stronger one Christ must reign in every institution,” he remarked, underscoring the need for cohesion and spiritual alignment.
Archbishop Gonsalves also exhorted educators to view Catholic education as a sacred ministry, where classrooms become “altars of transformation.” He emphasized personal witness as a cornerstone of teaching, saying, “The trumpet of Joel calls teachers to become witnesses before they are instructors. Our students must see Christ in us in integrity, compassion, and faith.” He called for simplicity, holiness, and renewed commitment to mission, asserting that education should transform both minds and hearts.
Addressing the challenges of the digital era, particularly in a post-pandemic world, Archbishop Gonsalves cautioned against commodifying learning. “AI and technology must make education accessible to all not exclude the poor from participation,” he advised, encouraging a balanced, ethical, and inclusive approach to technological integration in schools.
Concluding his homily, the Archbishop urged the AINACS assembly to become both a “trumpet of awakening and a promise of hope.” Drawing from Joel and the assurance of Christ, he proclaimed, “Let this convention be a trumpet blast calling us to examine, repent, and rebuild.” He prayed that every Catholic school in India may become “a house not empty but filled with faith, compassion, and the presence of Christ so that we may not only educate minds but renew the very soul of our nation.”
The Archbishop’s address resonated deeply with participants, serving as a clarion call for educators to embrace a mission-driven approach where spiritual formation, moral integrity, and academic excellence coexist, shaping students into not only knowledgeable individuals but also faithful and compassionate citizens.