Aoife Cassidy: School sacraments have no place in modern education 

'The entire spectacle is sustained by a primary education system still structurally organised around religious dominance'

'Why are we still having these ridiculous conversations every year about the cost of Communions with barely a mention of the religious aspect? When are we going to demand the change that is so badly needed in our schools?' File picture

The annual handwringing over Communion costs has begun. I’ve read at least three articles in our national newspapers on the topic so far this “Communion season”.

The really striking thing is that in many cases, the extravagance itself feels almost compensatory, as though the bigger the party, the more effectively it disguises the absence of any real religious significance. The sacrament becomes secondary to the venue, the outfits, the balloon arch, and the social media photos.