Churches fear for schools’ identity

Churches have serious concerns about the religious identity of their schools as a result of moves to make them more inclusive, a Catholic schools leader said.

Fr Michael Drumm, chairman of the Catholic Schools Partnership, welcomed the further consultation announced by Education Minister Ruairi Quinn on measures proposed to ensure all schools cater for increasing diversity among their pupils. But, he said, there had been a very negative response to the recommendations of Mr Quinn’s expert group on patronage relating to the estimated 1,700 “standalone” schools where divesting to another patron is not an option.

Earlier, forum advisory group chairman John Coolahan moved to clarify misrepresentations he said some commentators have made of the forum’s report in April.