The main points contained in the pastoral letter from Catholic Bishops.
• While they share characteristics with other schools . . . Catholic schools seek to reflect a distinctive vision of life and a corresponding philosophy of education;
• Catholic education values tolerance and inclusiveness. It is open to other traditions, and those of other faiths and none, while remaining true to its own distinctive ethos. Catholic schools are open to children of all denominations. The presence of children from other denominations is seen as an enrichment of the educational experience offered by the school . . . ;
• In a climate of growing secularism, Catholic schools are distinguished by faith in the transcendent mystery of God as the source of all that exists and as the meaning of human existence;
• This faith is not simply the subject matter of particular lessons but forms the foundation of all that we do and the horizon of all that takes place in the school;
• Specifically, religious education, designed to confirm and deepen an understanding of the faith, forms an essential part of the curriculum in Catholic schools and functions at its core. This means, for example, that Catholic schools commit resources and time to religious education as a matter of priority;
• In the Catholic school there is a strong commitment to pupils for whom the traditional methods of education are a challenge, e.g. the educationally-disadvantaged or those with special needs;
• Catholic schools continue to meet the challenge of seeking educational excellence while resisting the pressures of merely pragmatic, utilitarian approaches which tend to subordinate the good of the person to lesser ends;
• We believe that a too-narrow preoccupation with examinations . . . is inimical to true education.
Source: Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference;Vision 08 - A Vision for Catholic Education in Ireland