A Yellow Divestment

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Further to ongoing scaremongering in Catholic schools in north Dublin.

Emer O’Toole, in The Guardian, writes:

Incomprehensibly, the state all but handed over administration of the divestment process to the church.

The result? Catholic schools denied parents any objective information on alternative patrons, then warned them that if they voted for divestment there would be no opportunity to reconsider once they learned details of the proposed replacement.

Who in their right mind would vote for change under those circumstances?

Not only would divestment protect the rights of Ireland’s non-Catholic children, who are currently excluded during religious instruction, and of non-Catholic teachers, who can be discriminated against in the hiring process,

it would also help to complete the separation of church and state. While over 90% of children undergo near mandatory Catholic faith formation in state schools, the church simply has too much power in the Irish Republic.

Why do state schools continue to teach Irish children to respect the moral authority of the Catholic church, when most Irish adults, aware of the lessons of the Ryan report, the Ferns report, the Cloyne report and too many others, know that such respect is dangerous and misplaced?

Why do we continue to show children that it is normal for the church to play a privileged part in public life, when generations have lived the tragic effects of such indoctrination?

If we continue to keep children ignorant of any religious belief but Catholicism, and teach them that children of other faiths are deviations from the norm, will we act surprised when these seeds grow into intolerance and division in our newly diverse Ireland?

And will we continue to ignore the misogyny and homophobia of the Catholic church, and to pretend that this has no effect on the children in its schools?

Ireland’s attempts to secularise its schools have turned to farce (Emer O’Toole, The Guardian)

Previously: Hello Diversity, Goodbye Grandparents

Pic: RTÉ

Thanks Bebe

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9 thoughts on “A Yellow Divestment

  1. postmanpat

    I wonder what rate people still baptize their kids now that they don’t have too, to get into a school? I’m guessing exactly the same as before , because it didn’t effect enrolments in the first place, except for one of two school districts in the whole country and the school enrolment excuse was just something parents said when questioned about baptism into a pervert organization. Parent baptize their kids because they are mindless drones. The new pathetic excuse will be .” I don’t want him/her to be left out” and parents will continue to blame the nebulous government for all their problems instead of taking any personal responsibility. We are sadly a majority pious country. End of Story. I’m bringing my kid (and myself yayyyyyy!!!!!)to Disneyland during her school communion week when the time comes. She how “left out” she feels then.

      1. McVitty

        @realPolithicks Petey sounds like a person who may have appreciation for finer things such as a deep rooted moral code..so it’s great to see a pot trying to call a kettle.

        Social revolutionaries are very good at tearing down things that have stood trial and error – shoot first, ask questions later.

        1. Janet, I ate my avatar

          haha equating the Catholic Church with a deep moral code
          thanks for morning giggle you silly

  2. newsjustin

    “Why do state schools continue to……”

    Which state schools? Catholic schools aren’t state schools.

    The Dept of Education has really abdicated its role in the divestment process. Firstly, it’s for Catholic school communities to decide for themselves if they want to ditch their Catholic ethos. After that, it should be for Government (who are cheerleaders for divestment) to give very clear details of divestment options.

    If a school community wants it, they’ll vote for it. Emer seems to be dumbfounded that Irish people don’t all hate the faith countless generations of their ancestors as much as she does. Perhaps she needs to broaden her horizons and interact with a more diverse group of people.

    1. Janet, I ate my avatar

      every prince his religion?
      we know how that works out,
      I for one would welcome a secular Reformation

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