ABSTRACT
English Catholic schools resembled American Catholic schools, but the notable exceptions were government funding and mandatory government policies. The symbolic highlight of Liverpool is Hope Street with the massive Anglican cathedral as anchor on one end and the modern Catholic cathedral on the other. Attending Catholic schools, being active within parish life and intentionally choosing to work within the Catholic system were common themes. Catholic school leaders struggle to seek a balance between the positive and negative external influences on their schools. The individual efforts within a stalwart character make English Catholic school leaders on a paradoxical personal mission as evangelizers and educators. In England, the government schools have religious education requirements that have come under scrutiny as the country transforms from a predominately Christian country to one with an influential Muslim population and other minority religions.
