Madam, - Sr Stanislaus Kennedy's suggestion that the Catholic Church should "plan to withdraw from running schools" (The Irish Times, September 19th) makes good evangelical sense. After all, its core business is to carry out its founder's mandate to bring the good news to all people.
Such a sacred mandate is highly demanding, involving the adaptation of the gospel message to each generation in every cultural context.
Since the Constantine era the Christian Church, once recognised as the official religion of the state, became enmeshed in activities, however praiseworthy, outside its essential role in society. Once this original vision was lost the church became a powerful institution, often abusing its power.
Primary and secondary education was always seen as a means of evangelising of young people, but administration and ownership of schools has often displaced the original objectives of the schools' founders.
Now as we enter a new phase in our history with Catholic religious vocations radically declining and a new Ireland of many religions and none emerging, there is an opportunity for church and State to redefine their roles.
The churches need to relinquish not only their administration of schools, but more importantly their ownership. This will liberate them from a burden that should now be the responsibility of the Irish State.
The Christian religion is led by the spirit of God and Catholic parents should not be afraid to face a future where religious education remains primarily their responsibility. - Yours, etc,
BRENDAN BUTLER,
The Moorings,
Malahide,
Co Dublin.