A case study of parent perspectives on interreligious learning and teaching in a diverse Catholic school context: 'Building a civilisation of love'

In the pluralised contexts of many contemporary Australian Catholic schools, cultural and religious diversity is a reality that could be ignored or potentially utilised to enhance learning. This case study probes the perceptions of parents regarding their children's engagement in Religious Education in a Catholic school and in particular, engagement in interreligious learning and teaching. The small qualitative study utilised interviews with parents that were analysed and coded to reveal themes that are then discussed in light of the literature reviewed. Four key themes emerged: engagement, diversity, voice and agency, and identity revealing potential for enhancing partnerships with parents and families in the educative project of growing young Australians into their humanity and working towards the creation of a civilisation of love. The study points to a potential for the 'wider Church' to engage families in dialogue through articulating the why and how of Religious Education in Catholic schools (including interreligious learning and teaching) and enhancing parental engagement in such learning and teaching to resource the spiritual/religious identity of all as they grow into the fulness of life. Australian Catholic schools, like many schools across the globe, are populated by learners from a large variety of cultural, religious, and non-religious backgrounds. The teaching of Religion can choose to ignore this reality or to embrace it. This case study explores the insights of parents into their children's participation in Religious Education in a Catholic School and in particular interreligious learning and teaching. The small quantitative study used interviews with parents that were analysed and revealed themes that are discussed in relation to approaches to Religious Education, parent engagement in schools and the framing of religious identity. Four key themes emerged from the data: engagement, diversity, voice and agency, and identity and revealed potential for the enhancement of partnerships with parents. These partnerships potentially working towards growing young learners into being the best people they can be and the creation of a 'civilisation of love'. The study points to the potential for the 'wider Church' to participate in dialogue with families and to enhance the learning of parents and their children potentially resourcing their spirituality/religious identity as they continue to grow into the fullness of life.