Sir, There has been a lot of discussion recently regarding the relationship between Church and State especially with regards to education As a member of the Roman Catholic Church, I too would like to see a greater degree of separation. What follows is a number of practical suggestions concerning education and marriage, and the consequences that might result from them.
First, the education of children is primarily the responsibility of the State and not of any particular grouping within the State. In a secular society, schools should be run by the State and should cater for the pluralism of views within the society. Within such a scenario the religious formation of people in a particular religious tradition would take place outside the State school structure i.e., within a structure organised by the particular religious tradition. By removing religious formation from State schools one is enabling people to make an informed and responsible decision regarding the religious education of their children. This would reduce the pressure many parents feel to have their children initiated into the Roman Catholic Church simply because not to do so would mean their child being the odd one out in the First Holy Communion class etc.
Having religious formation outside of the State school system would have many advantages for the church. For example, those who wish to have their children formed in the Roman Catholic tradition would have the opportunity to make a more conscious and public decision to do so. There would be a greater degree of support and community resulting from an increased involvement in the local church, e.g., the development of something like a Sunday school. No longer would events such as Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation be seen as "rights" due to each child no matter what their parents believe or do. However it must also be admitted that in all likelihood such a move will mean a reduction in the number of people who will be part of the church. But this is not necessarily a bad thing. Ireland is gradually becoming a pluralist society in which an increasing number of people do not have a religious affiliation and both church and State need to recognise this more explicitly.
Second, the celebration of the sacrament of marriage Within the Roman Catholic tradition should be strictly separated from the State ceremony. As in many other European countries couples wishing to marry should be obliged, by the State, to marry in a registry office. Only those wishing for a religious ceremony would celebrate a church wedding. This would reduce the pressure on people to get married in a church simply because it is the "done thing". Again this will have the effect of reducing the number of people who would get married in church. But it is better for all concerned that one is encouraged to freely embrace a religious tradition rather than simply flowing with the tide.
I have no doubt that the life of the church will benefit from a greater degree of separation from the State. While it will involve a perceived loss of power in the secular sphere it will give the church a new freedom to be what it is. The values, practices and aspirations of contemporary Irish society are becoming increasingly incompatible with the fundamental vision of Christianity. This often leads to conflict when the church tries to implement its vision in institutions which are also State institutions, e.g., the employment of teachers in primary schools. A stricter separation will give the church its own space to live and express its vision, a vision which all are invited but not coerced to share in. To be a practising Catholic today is gradually becoming counter cultural, e.g., in the Tallaght area those who attend church services are in the minority and on a national scale the number of those attending church is continually decreasing. As members of the church we need to define ourselves more clearly from the culture to which we belong. We are different and like everyone else we have the right to live that difference and to speak our "piece" in the public forum. We are slowly becoming a minority and paradoxically the church has more often than not flourished in such situations. The remaining close ties between the church and State is an albatross around the neck of the church and it is time to cut it loose and set ourselves free. Yours, etc., Dominican House of Studies, St Mary's Priory, Tallaght, Dublin 24.