Madam, - Sr Stanislaus Kennedy is correct when she urges the Catholic Church to begin withdrawing from the management of schools in favour of concentrating on its primary responsibility (The Irish Times, September 19th).
When this State came into being the people had neither the experience of running national organisations nor the finances to support the full range of civil services required in a democracy. In many ways it was to the credit of the churches (both Protestant and Catholic) that they undertook the responsibility of providing health and educational services to the people.
Of course they also had their own interests at heart, but that doesn't take away from the service they provided when no one else could or would.
But we must read the signs of the times and dismantle structures that no longer contribute positively to society. The State now has the means, both financially and organisationally, to provide these services. It also has the responsibility to do so.
As things stand, schools are being hampered by having to take factors other than the best teaching standards into consideration when appointing teachers and the churches are not best served by removing the responsibility for catechesis from the parents because such a pedagogical exercise requires parents to reflect on their faith and come to truly own their beliefs. - Yours, etc,
DOMHNALL O'NEILL,
Bray,
Co Wicklow.
Madam, - Sr Stanislaus Kennedy says that "it is the State's responsibility to provide education".
I would respectfully direct her to the Constitution of Ireland which states, in article 42: "The State acknowledges that the primary and natural educator of the child is the Family and guarantees to respect the inalienable right and duty of parents to provide, according to their means, for the religious and moral, intellectual, physical and social education of their children."
This same article adds: "The State shall not oblige parents in violation of their conscience and lawful preference to send their children to schools established by the State, or to any particular type of school designated by the State."
Sr Kennedy's sentiments, however well-meaning, are misguided and unhelpful. If she believes the Catholic Church should no longer manage schools, let the church hand these schools over to local communities so that their ethos might be protected. Having a narrowly-focused "one size fits all" State system is neither desirable nor practical. As Ireland becomes increasingly pluralist, pluralism is exactly what we need in education. - Yours, etc,
MICHAEL KELLY,
South Circular Road,
Dublin 8.