Frequently Asked Questions
Below are a few questions that might help you better navigate and connect with Good Samaritan Education.
Good Samaritan Education was established to ensure a structure of governance within the Catholic Church for Good Samaritan schools in Australia that is sustainable in the long-term while also preserving and deepening the Good Samaritan Benedictine charism.
On July 22, 2011 the Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell, in agreement with the Archbishops and Bishops of the dioceses where the ten Good Samaritan schools are located, constituted Good Samaritan Education as a new Church entity.
Good Samaritan Education is a separate entity from the Sisters of the Good Samaritan both in Church law and in civil law. However, the Superior of the Institute has the authority to nominate people for membership of Good Samaritan Education.
On June 1, 2012, Good Samaritan Education assumed the Sisters’ rights and obligations with regard to their schools.
Designed to reflect the different strands that underpin our rich tradition and spirituality, each element tells part of our story:
The Droplet – oil and wine poured into the wounds of the one left abandoned (Luke 10:25-37)
The Olive branch – a sign of new life (new shoots) and God’s saving action (Gen 8:11).
The Scriptures – God’s word, source of nourishment and challenge
“In all things may God be glorified” (1 Peter 4:11) – quoted in chapter 57 of the Rule of Benedict, and retained in the crest of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan for more than 150 years.
Good Samaritan Education has legal status both in Church law and civil law in accordance with its Statutes. It is a public juridic person (PJP), that is, a legal entity within the Church, but also incorporated in civil law under the Roman Catholic Church Communities’ Lands Act 1942.
Good Samaritan Education is currently structured with 15 Members, seven of whom serve on the Governing Council. Each of the ten Good Samaritan schools is established as a public company limited by guarantee with Members of Good Samaritan Education serving as Members of the College companies.
At least 15 Members are admitted in accordance with the Statutes: one nominated by each of the five Bishops of the Dioceses in which the Good Samaritan schools are located; three Good Samaritan Sisters nominated by the Superior; and others nominated by the Superior.
Good Samaritan Education has the responsibility of ensuring that each school acts in accordance with its status as a Catholic school in the Good Samaritan Benedictine tradition. To carry out this responsibility, the Governing Council of Good Samaritan Education has certain powers reserved to it. These are outlined in the Constitution of each school.
There is provision in the Statutes of Good Samaritan Education for it to assume responsibility for other schools or ministries beyond the ten Good Samaritan schools currently operating. Such a decision would rest with the Members.