Madam, – Leo O’Reilly (Opinion, December 19th) writes in relation to the control the Catholic Church has over our education system that, “The Catholic philosophy of education maintains that education is for life, and religion is, for many people, an integral aspect of life. Others embrace a philosophy of life which excludes religion. We respect their freedom to do that”.
The Catholic Church controls over 90 per cent of all State primary schools. Religion is not only taught in these schools, but it infuses the whole day and it is next to impossible for the child of non-Catholic parents to avoid indoctrination. Not only that, if a local school is over-subscribed, a Catholic Church-controlled State primary school can give preference to a Catholic child. Quite frankly the notion that the Catholic Church respects people’s freedom in this regard is laughable. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – John Murray (Opinion, December 21st) states correctly that under Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.
He fails to point out that the UN does not oblige any State to fund these schools, they are only obliged to permit religious schools to exist. No State could possibly afford to fund religious schools in every denomination. In most countries that fund religious schools there is a parallel system of non-denominational State schools where the majority of children attend. State schools are obliged under human rights law to operate a system of equality of access and esteem where all religions and none are treated equally without discrimination and those human rights are guaranteed and protected by legislation. – Yours, etc,
