Bacik calls for debate on relationship between church and state [labour.ie]
- Published: 17 February 2010
Speaking on the Order of Business in the Seanad earlier today, Senator Ivana Bacik expressed her concern at the inconclusive outcome of the talks between the Irish Catholic bishops and the Pope in Rome, she said that:
"We have not seen any adequate response from the Irish Catholic Church or from the Vatican demonstrating that its leaders accept responsibility for the appalling abuse that so many children suffered in religious-run and State-funded institutions over so many decades. Now would be an appropriate time for us to debate the relationship between the Church and the State in modern Ireland. We should debate this relationship in the context of the education system, in particular. Not only does the Catholic Church still control 92% of our primary schools, but yesterday the Minister for Education indicated that he would be recognising two new Catholic primary schools - in the teeth of the clear and growing demand from parents for more multi-denominational school places. We should also debate other aspects of this relationship, for example the prayer at the start of each Seanad sitting; and the continued broadcast of the Angelus by our national broadcaster."
Full Story: www.labour.ie
