Catholic Education Research Articles

The Interweaving of Love and Truth: Bernard Lonergan, Intellectual Conversion, and the Synodal Process

This article explores the relatively theoretical question of what contribution academic theology is making to the synodal process and how this interaction might deepen in the years to come. It stresses the importance of what it calls foundational theological questions, employing the thought of the Jesuit philosopher and theologian Bernard Lonergan to define this term. It traces how a slow awareness of the importance of such questions, and an explicit attention to the question of theological method that is related to this, began emerging in the Second Vatican Council. It then suggests that such questions have come closer to the center of attention in the synodal process launched by Pope Francis. It proposes that the synodal process in the future will benefit by making further use of the thought of Lonergan. It leaves to a further study the question of how clarifying foundational and methodological questions in theology might have consequences for Catholic education in general.

Faith and Reason: Reinventing Scholasticism in Postmodern Philippine Catholic Education

This paper aims to present the necessity of a new scholastic movement as an intellectual and religious movement and to reinvent it in the context of 21st Century Philippine Catholic Education. This reinvention of Scholasticism aims to design a curriculum for Senior high school students in order to equip them in understanding and defending the Catholic Faith and Teachings. Since the Catholic Church is facing the problems given by postmodernism and atheism, there is a need for another scholastic movement to counter these problems. This paper uses in-depth and comprehensive analysis of texts related to reinvention of scholastic movement in the 21st Century. The researcher used Purposive Sampling technique to carefully select the articles based on their relevance to the reinvention of scholastic movement. This paper uses updated and relevant research papers for analysis. In addition, to argue that there is a need for a new scholastic movement in Philippine Catholic education, the Hegelian dialectic was used, the idea of history repeating itself became the start point of this paper to argue that this is philosophical sound and valid. This paper examines the necessity of the 21st Century Philippine Catholic Education to the reinvented scholastic movement and it also offers a comprehensive curriculum design to reinvent scholasticism in education. Since, it aims to craft a curriculum which is anchored to apologetics and scholasticism, this proposed curriculum can equip the students to be effective Christians who will defend the church and its teachings. With this, the Religious Education for Grade 11 and Grade 12 will be a strong foundation of Catholic Faith in the 21st Century Philippine Education for Catholic schools.

The stagnation of leadership in Catholic religious universities in Indonesia

This study demonstrated the connection between leadership and the underdevelopment of the Catholic Pastoral College (Sekolah Tinggi Pastoral Katolik (STPK)). This qualitative study was conducted in five STPKs located in Malang, Semarang, Pontianak and Medan. It involved leaders of four parties: (a) the Bishop; (b) the Directors of Catholic Education representing the Government; (c) members of the Ministry of Religious Affairs representing the Indonesian Catholic Church; (d) representatives of the management of the Colleges alongside teachers. Data was collected via Google forms, focus group discussions, and in-depth interviews with the Bishop, government, chairperson and foundation of STPK. The research findings revealed that: the elements of leadership are ineffective and lack coordination and cooperation with bishops and the government; the cultural influence of the Catholic hierarchy is strong; an effective pattern of communication relations is not established; and human resources are not yet professional. This report advised that a higher education commission be established to facilitate the formation of a collaborative task force to address critical challenges and ensure that STPK remains adaptable to changing times. Thus, the efforts and aspirations to transform STPK into a high-quality and competitive educational institution take shape.

Catholic teaching on same-sex parenting: a critical analysis

Catholic teaching on same-sex parenting: a critical analysis

The Implementation of LAUDATO SI as the Embodiment of Integral Ecology in Atma Jaya Yogyakarta University

The wrong paradigm towards self and others leads humans to individual pride and collective egoism. Technocratic and mechanical views can obscure human dignity, because humans are considered as objects and usability values only. Anthropocentric, mechanistic and technocratic paradigms make individuals alienated from others, both with each other, as well as with other creatures and entities. This research aims to explore the Encyclical Laudato Si and its implementation in Atma Jaya Yogyakarta University (UAJY). As a university, UAJY plays an important role in creating a catholic education that respects human dignity, the value of interconnectedness and builds an integral ecology. The results of the research are expected to be more effective in realising the encyclic in Atma Jaya Yogyakarta University. This research uses a qualitative method, and the approach used was a mixture of library research and field research. The material object of the research is policy, while the formal object is moral philosophy.

Sabbath, Contemplative Time, and Liturgical Listening

As we explore listening practices in global Catholicism, we have an opportunity to learn from spiritual traditions and their wisdom about stillness, receptivity, rest, and attention. This article focuses on Sabbath in dialogue with Jewish and Christian writings, particularly with regard to the dignity of work, sacred time, and receptive relationship to God and all of creation. Considering Catholic teachings on Sunday and Sabbath, I develop the idea of liturgical listening, arguing that the Eucharistic assembly can be a formative space for cultivating practices of listening together.

Relationship Stability in a Polish Cultural Setting: A Moderated Mediation Model of Acceptance of Transcendence, Sanctification, and Religious Literalism

This cross-sectional study involved 470 Polish, Catholic (90%), married (67%), or unmarried cohabiting (33%) individuals (237 women and 233 men) and is the first to examine whether and how two dimensions of individual religiousness (inclusion vs. exclusion of transcendence (IT) and symbolic vs. literal interpretation (SI)) as assessed by the Post-Critical Beliefs Scale are associated with the participants’ perceived stability of their marriages/intimate unions. As expected, greater affirmation of God’s existence as real (i.e., higher inclusion of transcendence) and greater literal interpretation of religious doctrines (i.e., lower symbolic interpretation) were each associated with greater perceived stability of marital/cohabiting unions. Also as expected, the former pathway was mediated by sanctification for both types of couples. However, the mediation pathway from the IT and from sanctification to relationship stability was markedly stronger for those with more literal views of religious doctrine only for married couples, and this complex moderator effect was not found for cohabiting couples. The findings imply that Polish individuals with a firmer belief that God exists and a more literal belief in Catholic teachings are more likely to view their intimate partnership as sanctified, which, in turn, is associated with a lower risk of union dissolution.

Faith Inside an Immanent Frame

Those who are charged with the responsibility of governing, leading or teaching in Catholic schools at this time are challenged by questions which go to the heart of their school’s mission. How is it possible for the mission of the Catholic school to be realised in a culture that is increasingly secularising? What is the secularising context and how is religious belief still possible today? These are questions of profound significance also for the families who seek a Catholic education for their children. Charles Taylor’s analysis of our secular age provides a foundation for addressing these questions as do findings from the Enhancing Catholic School Identity (ECSI) research. Whilst the secularising context is sometimes painted as the enemy of Catholic education, it is presented here as being the context in which Catholic schools must realise their mission and this cultural context, like any cultural context, has elements which support the mission and elements which impede it. The following key concepts from Taylor’s analysis are reviewed because of their relevance for Catholic schools: the Expressivist Age, the Cross-Pressured context and the Immanent Frame. The Post-Critical Belief Scale from the ECSI research is also reviewed, as a key finding is that Post-Critical Belief is the only viable option for faith in a secularising context.

Peningkatan Hasil Belajar Pendidikan Agama Katolik dan Budi Pekerti dengan Metode Problem Based Learning Fase D Kelas VII SMP Negeri 3 Tukka

This study aims to determine the improvement in student learning outcomes in Catholic Religious Education and Character Education after the implementation of the Problem Based Learning (PBL) method for seventh-grade students in Phase D at SMP Negeri 3 Tukka. The research method used is Classroom Action Research (CAR) conducted in two cycles. Each cycle consists of planning, implementation, observation, and reflection phases. This method was chosen for its ability to develop critical thinking skills, collaboration, and the application of religious values in daily life. The study employs a quantitative approach with pretests and posttests to measure learning outcomes. Data were collected from test results and observations during the learning process. The results indicate a significant improvement in student learning outcomes following the implementation of the PBL method. In the first cycle, the average student score increased from 70.6 to 75.6, while in the second cycle, it rose further to 90.6. Additionally, there was an improvement in critical thinking skills and the ability to work collaboratively among students. Thus, the implementation of the PBL method has proven effective in enhancing learning outcomes in Catholic Religious Education and Character Education for seventh-grade students in Phase D at SMP Negeri 3 Tukka.

Peningkatan Hasil Belajar Pendidikan Agama Katolik dengan Model PBL dalam materi Raja Salomo yang bijaksana Kelas V SDN 21 Hasinggaan

. This research aims to improve students' learning outcomes in the subject of Catholic Religious Education and Character Building by using the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method in the lesson on King Solomon's wisdom for Grade V at SDN 21 Hasinggaan, Phase C. The PBL method was chosen because it encourages students to think critically, creatively, and become more active in the learning process. This Classroom Action Research (CAR) was conducted in two cycles, each consisting of the stages of planning, implementation, observation, and reflection. The data obtained from student learning evaluations showed a significant improvement after the application of the PBL method. Additionally, observations during the learning process indicated an increase in students' active participation and understanding of the material. Therefore, the PBL method has proven to be effective in enhancing students' learning outcomes in the lesson on King Solomon's wisdom in Grade V of elementary school.

Teaching religion in postmodern society: some insights from the German “Carousel of Concepts” for the renewal of Catholic religious education in Poland

ABSTRACT Poland, still considered by some to be a bastion of Catholicism in Europe, is becoming more secularised every year, and its society resembles the postmodern societies of Western Europe. The changes in religiousness, which affect especially the younger Poles, are so strong that they call into question the validity of the current form of religious education, i.e. school catechesis, which is proving incapable of fulfilling its tasks, e.g. in the function of Christian initiation. Given the above context, the present article has a threefold purpose: The first step is to present the social and educational challenges of school catechesis in Polish schools. Based on these premises, the second step will outline the main similarities and differences in religious education between Poland and Germany, and then the German ‘Carousel of Concepts’ (H. Mendl) of the 1960s, which contributed to the emergence of a possible optimal model of religious education for a postmodern society. In the third and final step, ideas for the future will be formulated for the renewal of religious education in Poland, making it possible to characterise it in a guiding way as a dialogical-educational concept.

Meningkatkan Hasil Belajar Melalui PBL bagi Peserta Didik Kelas VII SMPN 3 Pantai Labu

The low student achievment of catholic religious education and character building at lesson I have Abbility grade VII SMPN 3 Pantai labu was the problem background this research. This research aims to reminded student achievement through the problem-based learning model in PAK grade VII SMP Negeri 3 Pantai LabuThis type of research is classroom action research (PTK) which consist of two cycles. The research subject of students in grade VII SMP Negeri 3 Pantai Labu amounted to seven students consisting of five male students and two female students. The data collection technique in this study uses observation, test and documentation. The result of study was that the average score of students in the first cycle was fivety two then increased ninety in the second cycle. The improvement was seen significantly. This can be seen from the fact that number of students has increase quite a bit by fourty-four percent. This means that, if the PBL learning model is implements properly and consistently, it will improve student learning outcomes.

Peningkatan Kemampuan Berpikir Kritis Peserta Didik Melalui Pembelajaran Berbasis Masalah (PBL) dengan Media Audiovisual pada Materi Kemampuan dan Keterbatasanku di SMP Santo Andreas Jakarta Barat

This study aims to enhance the critical thinking skills of students at SMP Santo Andreas in West Jakarta through the implementation of the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) model combined with audiovisual media, specifically in the subject matter “My Abilities and Limitations.” This approach prioritizes active interaction and real-world problem-solving, which is expected to increase student engagement in the learning process. The integration of audiovisual media aims to simplify the understanding of complex concepts, thereby enriching the overall learning experience. The research also identifies that the low critical thinking abilities of students are a result of less effective conventional teaching methods. By exploring the synergy between PBL and audiovisual media, this study makes a significant scientific contribution. The findings indicate that the application of this method positively and significantly impacts the enhancement of students' critical thinking skills. Therefore, this research recommends the use of PBL and audiovisual media as innovative alternatives in the learning process, particularly within the context of Catholic religious education.

Peningkatan Hasil Belajar Fase E Kelas X Materi Bersikap Kritis dan Bertanggung Jawab terhadap Media Massa dengan Bantuan Platform Digital Menggunakan Model Pembelajaran Berbasis Masalah di SMA Negeri 1 Alasa, Kecamatan Alasa, Kabupaten Nias Utara

This study aims to improve student learning outcomes on the material "Being critical and responsible towards mass media" in Catholic Religious Education and Character Education learning in class X Phase E of SMA Negeri 1 Alasa using the Problem Based Learning method. The subjects of the study were six students who had difficulty with the material. This study was conducted in two cycles with four stages, namely: planning, action, observation, and reflection. The results showed an increase in student learning outcomes with an average score increasing from cycle I to cycle II. The implementation of the PBL method has a positive impact on student understanding of the material and active participation in learning. This study suggests the application of the PBL method to improve the quality of learning outcomes in other subjects.

Upaya Meningkatkan Hasil Belajar Peserta Didik PAK dengan Model PBL pada Materi Yesus Mengajarkan Pengampunan Kelas V Fase C SD Negeri 5 Cinta Maju

This study aims to improve learning outcomes in Catholic Religious Education and Budi Pekerti subjects by using the Problem Based Learning (PBL) learning model for class V SD Negeri 5 Cinta Maju in the 2024/2025 school year. This type of research is Classroom Action Research (PTK) which is carried out in two cycles with 1 meeting in each cycle. Each cycle consists of several stages, namely planning, implementation, action, observation and reflection. The first and second cycles discussed the material Jesus Teaches Forgiveness. This study aims to determine whether there is an increase in student learning outcomes with the help of the PBL learning model on the material of Jesus Teaches Forgiveness in class V in the subject of Catholic Religious Education and ethics at SD Negeri 5 Cinta Maju. This PTK also aims to determine how much the increase in learning achievement targets with the help of the PBL method on the material Jesus Teaches Forgiveness in class V in Catholic religious education and character education subjects at SD Negeri 5 Cinta Maju. Based on the results of observations of student learning activities, teacher activities, and student learning outcomes tests that the Problem Based Learning learning model can improve the activities and learning outcomes of Catholic Religious Education and Ethics in class V Phase C students of SD Negeri 5 Cinta Maju, Sitiotio District, Samosir Regency.

Meningkatkan Hasil Belajar PAK Dengan Metode Problem Based Learning Fase C Kelas 6 SDN 13 Nyayum

This study discusses the improvement of learning outcomes of Catholic Religious Education (PAK) and students by using the Problem Based Learning method at SD Negeri 13 Nyayum, Landak Regency. The research subjects were grade VI students with a total of 16 students. The subject matter used was “I am a citizen of the world”. For data collection methods researchers use observation, assessment, and tests. The aspects of learning outcomes in this study are affective, cognitive, and psychomotor. Before the implementation of the study, the percentage of completeness or achievement of PAK learning outcomes was so low, namely 32% with KKTP 75. After research in cycle I, the completeness of learning outcomes increased to 81.25% with proficient criteria for 8 students, proficient for 5 students, and 3 students who were not complete with proficient criteria. Then at the end of cycle II the completeness increased to 100% with 88% proficient criteria (14 learners) and 12% proficient criteria (2 learners). From the data on the results of research in activities, it can be concluded that the Problem Based Learning Method succeeded in improving the learning outcomes of Catholic Religious Education and Grade VI students of SD Negeri 13 Nyayum.

Peran Guru Pendidikan Agama Katolik dalam Pembentukan Karakter Peserta Didik di Sekolah

The development of character education in schools in modern times is a challenge for Catholic Religious Education teachers in forming a generation with noble character. A Catholic Religious Education teacher is bound by the obligation to carry out the role of shepherd within the scope of education. Catholic Religious Education Teachers play the role of mentors in their duties, namely educating, so they have duties as journalists and educators. As a preacher, a Catholic religious education teacher takes on the task of proclaiming the news of salvation. Meanwhile, as educators, the task of Catholic Religious Education teachers is to guide students towards maturity, both physically and spiritually mature. Students who are spiritually mature will have noble character. To achieve this noble character requires character education which cannot be separated from the role of a Catholic Religious Education Teacher. It is hoped that character education will be able to form a generation whose existence will provide the widest possible benefits in daily life both at home, at school and in society. A literature review approach is used to write articles in order to develop an in-depth understanding to improve the role of Catholic religious education teachers in shaping the character of students in schools. The results of the research in this article conclude that Catholic Religious Education Teachers have an important role in shaping the character of students at school.

Meningkatkan Minat Belajar Siswa pada Pelajaran Agama Katolik dan Budi Pekerti dengan Model PjBL Fase D Kelas VII SMPK Santo Yusup Banyuwangi

This Classroom Action Research aims to increase the learning interest of 7th-grade students at SMPK Santo Yusup Banyuwangi in the subject of Catholic Religious Education and Character through the Project Based Learning (PjBL) phase D model. The main issue faced by 7th-grade students at SMPK Santo Yusup is their low interest in learning, which has negatively affected their academic performance and decreased their motivation to participate in learning activities. This study uses the classroom action research method with two cycles, each consisting of the stages of planning, action, observation, and reflection. Data were collected through direct observations, student interest questionnaires, performance evaluations, and tests. The results of the research show that PjBL phase D can significantly improve students' interest in learning. In the first cycle, student interest increased, although many challenges were encountered in implementing the method. In the second cycle, after addressing the issues and challenges, student interest increased significantly without further problems. The conclusion of this research is that the use of the PjBL phase D model is effective in improving students' interest in the subject of Catholic Religious Education and Character. Therefore, this model can be considered an alternative teaching method to address the issue of low student interest.

Meningkatkan Keaktifan Siswa Dalam Pembelajaran Pak Melalui Model Pbl Kelas V Fase C SD Negeri 16 Sadaniang

From the initial observation of the learning process of Catholic Religious Education and Character Education at SD Negeri 16 Sadaniang, it showed a lack of student activity which affected the level of understanding and learning outcomes. This study aims to improve student activity in the learning process and student learning outcomes by using the Problem Based Learning model on the material Involved in Environmental Conservation at SD Negeri 16 Sadaniang, grade V (five) Phase C. By using the Classroom Action Research (CAR) design through four (4) stages, namely; planning, implementation, evaluation and reflection, it is expected to be able to overcome the problems that occur. The subjects of this study were grade V (five) students with a total of 5 students consisting of 3 boys and 2 girls. To obtain research data, Data Collection Techniques were carried out with several aspects, namely; conducting observations with the Pancasila Student Profile indicator; the dimension of mutual cooperation with sub-elements, namely positive interdependence, through cognitive learning outcome tests with the expectation of being proficient, competent, feasible and newly developing.

Meningkatkan Hasil Belajar PAK Melalui Metode PBL Berbantu Media Audio Visual Kelas VII-A SMPN 3 Pancur Batu

The issue of low learning outcomes in Catholic Religion for seventh-grade students is attributed to the educators' tendency to use conservative teaching methods, specifically lectures. This is evidenced by the learning results of students in Catholic Religious Education at SMP Negeri 3 Pancur Batu, where only 2 out of 7 students achieved the minimum passing criteria (KKM) set by the school, which is 75. To improve learning outcomes, the researcher implemented a Problem-Based Learning (PBL) model supported by audiovisual media. The study was conducted at SMPN 3 Pancur Batu. The findings indicate that the use of the PBL model can enhance students' learning outcomes. This is demonstrated by the improvement in learning results from Cycle 1 to Cycle 2, with qualitative data showing that 14.3% of students were categorized as Developing as expected and 85.7% as Very Developing. In terms of cognitive aspects, 85.7% were classified as Proficient and 57.1% as Skilled. The conclusion of the study is that the implementation of the PBL model with audiovisual media in teaching can improve the learning outcomes of seventh-grade Catholic Religion education.