Religious Education in Schools:
Present Situation (2000-2008)

The place of religion in schools has been profoundly affected by the passing of Bill 118 on June 14, 2000. Here is a summary of the changes:

• Confessional schools would no longer exist.
• The time allocated for Catholic Religious and Moral Instruction would be considerably reduced at the elementary level.
• There would be no more Catholic Religious and Moral Instruction in secondary 3 and 5.
• A course in Ethics and Religious Culture would now be offered in secondary 4.
• A service of Spiritual Animation and Community Involvement, available to everyone, would replace the service of Pastoral Animation.

Parents could participate in making decisions concerning the implementation of these changes through involvement in the Governing Board of their child’s school.

Source: Proposing Jesus Christ a way to freedom and responsibility, pamphlet published in 2002 by the Assembly of Québec Catholic Bishops in collaboration with l'Assemblée des directeurs et directrices diocésains d'éducation.