Catholic education partnership launched [IrishTimes]
- Published: 29 January 2010
THE INAUGURATION of the Catholic Schools Partnership yesterday marked a “historic day in the life of the Irish church”, said Bishop Leo O’Reilly of Kilmore.
The partnership is an umbrella support group for everyone involved in Catholic education. It was set up to take account of the changing role of the religious in education. Its 33-member council includes bishops, parents, teachers and priests.
It was launched by Cardinal Seán Brady, who said the vitality of the Catholic Church was closely linked to the health of Catholic schools.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
Catholic 'control' of schools exaggerated [IrishTimes]
- Published: 28 January 2010
OPINION: THE LAUNCH of Catholic Schools Week 2010 takes place today – in the week of the publication of the latest Irish Times Ipsos/MRBI poll. This survey makes startling reading for all associated with Catholic schools. The finding that a majority of people believes that the Catholic Church should give up its control of the primary school system calls for serious in-depth consideration as we reflect on the role of Catholic schools in society and in the life of the church, writes LEO O'REILLY
The use of the phrase “control of the primary school system” in the Irish Times survey is emotive and misleading. It is emotive because it elicits a sceptical reaction from the respondent, as nobody wishes to be controlled. It is misleading because it ignores the presence of other patrons and suggests that the Catholic Church has a level of control not granted to other patrons/trustees or owners of schools. This is simply not the case. All patrons enjoy the same level of control as Catholic patrons do, and it should be pointed out that this control is quite limited.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
Cabinet briefs and the lack of support for those in need of head shops [IrishTimes]
- Published: 28 January 2010
DÁIL SKETCH: THE DAY got off to an unsettling start for many of us.
It was the duty of the newspapers and morning radio shows to report on the state of the talks in Northern Ireland. But did they have to include all that detail about highly-paid flunkies scouring the nearest Marks and Sparks in search of clean undies for Brown and Cowen? Just before breakfast, a collective groan went up from a queasy public: “Aaargh! Too much information!” Is there no such thing as a prime ministerial overnight bag, ready and available at all times, should the need arise? This is very much in line with international best practice.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
Martina Devlin: We're shirking our duty if we don't ban the burqa [Independent.ie]
- Published: 28 January 2010
Forcing women to hide their hair, and sometimes their bodies and faces, is a form of fanaticism amounting to repression
How many Muslim women cover up voluntarily, without any form of coercion whether explicit or implicit? Just a minute while I do the sums. Okay, I'm ready: the answer is none.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Principals call for boycott [theecho.ie]
- Published: 28 January 2010
THREE PRIMARY school principals in Wexford are among 50 principals who have signed a petition condemning an Irish Independent token-collecting scheme.
The ‘Building for the Future’ scheme requires each student to collect 20 tokens in order to take part. According to the 50 principals who have signed the petition, they “abhor the quota of 20 tokens per pupil from Independent Newspapers required of all schools wishing to submit a project for this sponsored competition.”
Full Story: www.theecho.ie
