The chairman of the Irish Bishops' Commission for Education, Bishop Leo O'Reilly, has said the time has come to pro-actively reassert the Catholic agenda in Irish education.
"Historically, the agenda for Catholic education has been characterised by strong commitment to Christian values, efficiency and quality service.
"Its achievements are evident. However, current social circumstances are radically different and give rise to new educational needs," he said.
He continued that "the time has come in the light of current circumstances to once again pro-actively reassert that agenda and to develop a quality service appropriate to our time."
He was speaking in Maynooth yesterday at a meeting of the bishops and leaders of religious congregations in their roles as trustees of Catholic schools.
Jointly organised by the education offices of the Irish Episcopal Conference and the Conference of Religious of Ireland it was also attended by Archbishop Michael Miller of the Vatican's Congregation for Catholic Education and Rev Henry Lemoncelli of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and for Societies of Apostolic Life.
The purpose of the meeting was to consider current circumstances "so that we can plan and develop policies guaranteeing the future of our Catholic schools", Bishop Reilly said.
"We must adapt to the changing circumstances of modern Ireland. For this to work the full involvement of the laity is vital," he said.
Sister Mary Reynolds, of the Mercy congregation central leadership, emphasised that religious "are not in the mindset of 'closing down' but rather of passing on something that they have pioneered and developed".