Teaching Religion Between Bridges and Walls: The Evolution of the Teaching of the Catholic Religion in Italy

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Published: Dec 6, 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12681/gjre.39562
Keywords:
Religious Education reform Teaching catholic religion Interreligious and intercultural dialogue Pluralism Hospitality Pedagogy of dialogue
Andrea Porcarelli
University of Padova
Abstract

The paper is part of the debate on RE, with a focus on the teaching of the Catholic religion. It's a denominational teaching that has evolved from a catechetical approach to a full-fledged school discipline. Through an analysis of the literature, we propose to deepen the pedagogical identity of this discipline. We will consider the international debate on the teachings about religions and beliefs. We can therefore speak of dialogical teaching and try to outline its pedagogical profile by linking it to the theology of hospitality. We propose a confessional religious teaching, but with an attitude of dialogue and hospitality.

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Author Biography
Andrea Porcarelli, University of Padova

Andrea Porcarelli, a Associated Professor in General and Social Pedagogy at the University of Padua, Coordinator of the doctoral school in Pedagogical Sciences, Education, and Training, member of the International Joint PhD in "Religion, Culture, and Public Life". National Coordinator of the SIPED Research Group on "Religiosity and Religious Formation"; Member of the National Board of CIRPED (Centro Italiano di Ricerca Pedagogica). Member of the Directive Council of CIRFIM (Interdepartmental Research Centre for Medieval Philosophy) and of the Research Group ReSTI (Religions, Spiritualities, Traditions, Inquiries), University of Padua. Co-director of the editorial series "L'esperienza religiosa. Incontri multidisciplinari," publisher FrancoAngeli (Milano). Member of the Scientific Committee of the magazine “Dirigenti Scuola.” Winner of the Italian Pedagogy Award, issued by SIPED, in 2016 and 2022. Winner of the Accademia AsPeI Award (Italian Pedagogical Association) in 2015 and 2022. He has participated, as invited speaker or as presenter of a contribution, in over one hundred scientific conferences. He usually carries out training activities for teachers and school managers. Research fields: 1) identity of social pedagogy and of citizenship education; 2) foundations of general pedagogy; 3) pedagogy of school and services to the person; 4) education of religiosity and religious dimension of the education.

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