Courtney McGrailDear Editor, Having had the experience and privilege of teaching in a faith-based Christian Brothers school with a rich tradition of catering for students from a variety of social background and some from the Jewish faith, the recent education conference on faith-based schools was timely.
It is inevitable that pressure for a more secular and multicultural education system will continue in attempting to diminish the role of the faith schools with a Catholic ethos which are also catering for students from multicultural backgrounds.
This calls for a fine balancing act identified by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, not to marginalise our Catholic traditions in our schools, fearing our heritage be deemed offensive to non-Christians. History records that the better informed we are in our faith the greater will be our respect for the beliefs and traditions of other faiths.
Our faith based Catholic schools have stood the test of time and are much sought after both here and in the UK as Ruth Kelly and Francis Campbell gave testimony to at the Education Conference.
Just prior to the Conference in October, a most significant innovation took place in Cork and caught the imagination of the media including TV3 News. The event was a Careers Exhibition in Cork that included a Stand for Vocations manned by Bishop John Buckley, Bishop of Cork and Ross.
Perhaps career guidance Teachers in schools might take a lead from Bishop Buckley’s courageous example and include religious vocations as a career option amongst the many options that are part of the market place.
This is one area where faith-based schools can take a lead from Bishop Buckley’s leadership. Great credit to all concerned in bringing together such a distinguished panel of speakers at the Conference.
Yours etc.,
Frank Burke,
Terenure, Dublin 6w.