Statement by the Catholic Education Partnership on the death of Pope Francis

22 Apr 2025

It was with profound sadness that the Board of Catholic Education Partnership (CEP) learnt of the death of Pope Francis.  Our prayers are joined with that of our brothers and sisters in faith throughout the world that Jesus Christ may grant Pope Francis rest in the House of the Father. 
 
Dr Marie Griffin, chairperson of CEP, said, “Catholic educators remember Pope Francis with gratitude and fondness for his leadership and inspiration.  In the Global Compact on Education he gave us a pathway to compassionate care and respect for all, especially the marginalised.  In it, he drew our attention to the twin ecological challenges of our age: the ecological crisis of our common home and that of the ecology of the human person.  In it, he placed families and the human person at the centre of concern for educators, emphasising the need to listen to the voices of the young and to find new ways of understanding economics, politics, growth and progress. In time, I am confident that this will be seen as a key aspect of the rich legacy of his pontificate.”
 
The Chief Executive of CEP, Alan Hynes, noted “that the last message on social media posted by Pope Francis reminded us that the resurrection of Christ captures ‘the entire meaning of our existence, for we were not made for death, but for life’.  This is the Golden Thread running through Catholic education – that human life has a meaning, purpose, and destiny, far beyond the limitations of this mortal life.
 
“Time and time again, Pope Francis drew attention to the significance of human dignity, made as we are in the image of God.  In Fratelli Tutti he remind us that ‘as a community, we have an obligation to ensure that every person lives with dignity and has sufficient opportunities for his or her integral development.’  These words serve as a mission statement for Catholic education, words that we will seek to honour as we continue on with our work in the light of Pope Francis’s profound legacy to the Church and to the world.”
 
ENDS

  • The Catholic Education Partnership, (CEP), was established in the of 2020 and replaced the Catholic Schools Partnership.  CEP is a registered company and charity, with a mandate for primary, post-primary, third level and adult education issues.  Mr Alan Hynes is Chief Executive Officer of the CEP.