AFTER more than two centuries in Catholic education the Christian Brothers will hand over the running of their schools to lay partners as they answer a renewed call to look at life once more through the eyes of the poor.
But they have left in place a charter to keep the tradition and charism of Christian Brothers founder Edmund Rice at the forefront of Australian schools owned and operated by the brothers into the 21st century.
The charter, drawn up by the national Planning Committee for Schools Governance Christian Brothers Australia, has been approved by Australia’s four province leadership teams.
It was launched in St Francis Xavier Province, which covers Queensland and Northern Territory, at Nudgee Junior College Hall, Indooroopilly on June 10.
Three brothers from the congregational leadership team in Rome – congregational leader Br Philip Pinto from India, Br Mark McDonnell from Ireland and Br Jack Mostyn from the United States – attended the launch in Brisbane.
Br Philip Pinto said the brothers were asking lay partners in education to carry the charism into a time when there are no brothers.
