Sir, – I have great respect for Dean Robert MacCarthy and for his opinions (September 23rd), but I feel the issue of Protestant fee-paying schools is more complex than it may appear at first sight.
Given that much of the Irish educational establishment is denominationally controlled, I am sure a spot check of the theological bent of the pupils in any one of such institutions, irrespective of denomination, would find divil a few practising Christians of any persuasion, especially in the cities.
There will, of course, be a percentage of the progeny of those who are assiduous in the various practices of their respective faiths. Nonetheless, such schools have an overarching philosophy based on a value system that can (mostly) be a positive force in creating a society in which fairness and justice are valued and promoted.
In a day and age where darkening the door of church, chapel or meeting-house is becoming rarer and rarer, such schools remain something to be cherished. – Yours, etc,
MIKE LAWLOR,
Admiralty Way,
Teddington,
Middlesex,
England.