Catholic schools welcome all their students as members of the school community.  This is evident in the way that all are valued, treated with respect and encouraged to participate fully in the life of the school.  This includes appropriate participation in both religious observance and religious education as well as in other activities which stem from the faith mission of the school, e.g. fund-raising, service to the community and other charitable activities.  Teachers are expected to bear witness to this attitude of respect for, and appreciation of, all people including those of other Christian denominations, other faiths and stances for living which may be independent of religious belief:

Catholic educators … must have the greatest respect for those students who are not Catholic. They should be open at all times to authentic dialogue, convinced that in these circumstances the best testimony that they can give of their own faith is a warm and sincere appreciation for anyone who is honestly seeking God according to his or her conscience. ^[i]

At all times, however, Catholic teachers should be aware of their vocation to promote the distinctive beliefs, values and practices of their Catholic community.  In this regard, it is important that parents of prospective pupils of other denominations, faiths and stances for living are adequately informed of this expectation prior to enrolment.

Catholic schools must not renounce their own characteristics and Christian-oriented educational programmes when children of another religion are enrolled. Parents wishing to enrol their children should be clearly informed of this. ^[ii]

[i]      LCS,  Para 42

[ii]     The Love of Christ Towards Migrants, Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, 2004, No.  62