The State is completely failing non-Catholic families
Who could begrudge these kids their day in the sun? Haven't they spent months preparing for their big day? Haven't their parents also dressed up for the occasion, and aren't they beaming with pride? Isn't First Holy Communion just an Irish tradition?
Freedom of religion is a human right but herein lies a peculiar irony. Many parents getting ready for their child's communion give little thought to the Eucharist. They see the day merely as a cultural milestone. But by having their child take part they are, in effect, practising religion – even if they are only dimly conscious of doing so.
It is precisely those families who avoid this rite altogether that are unable to overlook its religious significance. Under Article 44.2.4 of the Constitution, every child in Ireland has a clearly enshrined right not to attend religious instruction. Attempting to exercise this right comes at a cost, however.
Non-religious and minority faith families are confronted with daily reminders that they fall outside the norm.
Approximately 95% of Ireland's primary schools are patronised by religious bodies. Over 88% are run by the Catholic Church. It is a strange way to run an education system. Most schools treat faith formation and sacramental preparation as an intrinsic part of the daily curriculum, often paying scant regard to the wishes and lawful preferences of those holding different beliefs.
'Opting out' can be an alienating and upsetting experience for many children, who invariably find themselves treated differently from their classmates. It is also completely ineffective as they absorb the lessons and prayers regardless. Religion is woven so closely into the school day that parents often choose to keep their children at home, particularly as sacramental preparation ramps up.
If you apply for a job, you will not be asked about your beliefs at interview. If you get married, you can choose the ceremony you prefer, whether religious or non-religious. If you have children, you can freely decide whether you want to baptise them.
A few years later, however, you will leave these freedoms at the school gate. The protections that we otherwise take for granted are systematically denied us when our children start school.
Our education system is increasingly disconnected from Irish society. Catholicism has fallen as a percentage of the population in every census since the 1960s. The last 40 years have seen the legalisation of contraception, divorce, same-sex marriage and abortion.
Over 40% of babies are now born outside wedlock. Just 31% of marriages were celebrated in a Catholic church in 2024, while 40% were non-religious.
It's an odd situation, and teachers are finally beginning to make their voices heard. Following a motion passed at Congress in 2024, the INTO undertook a representative national survey of teachers on school patronage, the teaching of religion, and sacramental preparation.
The results, which have just been released, were unsurprising: Most teachers do not believe that faith formation should take place in primary schools, most do not teach religion willingly, and most believe that our schools should have secular patrons.
When it comes to communions and confirmations, the INTO's taskforce findings were particularly stark. 77% of teachers believe that responsibility for sacramental preparation should rest with the family or the parish, 18% believe that responsibility should rest with the family, parish, and school, and only 4% believe that responsibility should rest with schools alone.
The INTO is now explicitly calling for the repeal of Section 37.1 of the Employment Equality Act, which legalises discrimination against teachers on religious grounds and allows schools to insist on staff holding a Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies to secure a permanent contract.
Formed in 2015, Education Equality is a voluntary human rights advocacy group that campaigns for equality for all children in our schools, regardless of their religion or belief background. In 2016, we met former minister for education Richard Bruton.
In 2018, the Education (Admission to Schools) Act largely outlawed the use of religion as an admissions criterion. In October 2024, we met the previous minister for education, Norma Foley. Our new Education Equality Ireland Instagram account has gained huge traction.
Slow pace of reform
Yet even as our movement grows, so does the litany of Government failures to respond meaningfully to this issue.
The school divestment process has made negligible progress since it emerged from the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector in 2012. Government commitments to a target of reaching 400 multidenominational schools by 2030 were quietly dropped from the programme for government in January.
In 2020, the previous government announced plans to hold a citizens' assembly on the future of education. Predictably, it never took place and now appears to have been abandoned.
In September 2023, the Department of Education announced its intention to undertake a national parental survey on school patronage. As reported by RTÉ at the time, Secretary General Bernie McNally said that parents would complete the survey "in the privacy of their own homes", adding that they would have access to "accurate" information in advance.
David Graham: 'Non-religious and minority faith families are confronted with daily reminders that they fall outside the norm.'
Subsequent commitments indicated that the survey would take place during the 2024-2025 academic year. Parents are still waiting.
Even recent, modest legislative provisions have proven ineffective. Section 62(7)(n) of the 2018 admissions legislation includes a specific requirement that school enrolment policies must include details of the school's arrangements for any students who do not wish to attend religious instruction.
Most schools ignore this legislation, instead directing parents to arrange a meeting with the principal.
The new minister for education Helen McEntee has now announced that she would establish a national convention on education "to hear and to understand people's thoughts, hopes and aspiration for the education system of the future". The convention is unlikely to happen for some time, and its terms of reference remain unclear.
Opt in rather than opt out?
So, what should be done? Education Equality believes that we need to move religious instruction outside the school day. Instead of making families opt out, we should ask them if they want to opt in.
It's a simple, cost-effective solution that would make faith formation more meaningful for those attending, while upholding the rights of those who do not share these beliefs.
So no, this is not about begrudgery or denying Irish schoolchildren their day in the sun. It's about equality, inclusion and respect for human rights.
And it's about removing systemic discrimination from our education system for children and teachers alike.
Ireland has changed. Our schools must too.
David Graham is Communications Officer with Education Equality
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Twenty-one farms to open their gates for free one-day sustainable farming showcase
Nature-friendly farms across the country plan to open their gates as part of a sustainable farming showcase. On August 31, a total of 21 farms across Ireland will be open to the public for a one-day event organised by Farming For Nature, a non-profit initiative that works with farmers to promote sustainable agricultural practices. Farming For Nature was set up in 2018 as a non-profit project established under the Burrenbeo Trust. Last year, the group launched the Farming For Nature Handbook, a practical guide to protecting and restoring nature. The handbook featured contributions from more than 50 Irish farmers, who shared their experiences of how working with nature can help reduce their overheads and boost incomes. The 'Inside The Gate' event is designed to boost public understanding of the importance of nature-friendly farming, including practices that support healthy soils, clean water, diverse habitats and sustainable food production. The 21 farms spread across Tipperary, Wexford, Mayo, Roscommon, Clare, Cork, Kildare, Kilkenny, Galway, Kerry, Laois, and Limerick will take part in Inside The Gate, showcasing their land and the progressive measures they have introduced to enhance biodiversity, reduce waste, and stem their greenhouse gas emissions. Mimi Crawford and Owen Crawford from Crawfords Farm in Tipperary which is opening its gates to the public as part of the nationwide Inside The Gate event on August 31. Tickets and more information on each location are available on a first-come, first-served basis on the Farming For Nature website. Events are free to attend, but capacity at the individual farms will be limited. Inside the Gate is supported by RTÉ Ear to the Ground presenter Ella McSweeney, who is encouraging as many people as possible to sign up for a visit on August 31, adding that the day is a 'really valuable opportunity for young and old, from all backgrounds across Ireland, to spend time on some of the most nature-rich farms in the country.' Co-founder of Farming For Nature, Brigid Barry, said: 'Hosted on 21 farms in 12 counties across Ireland, the 26 different events will give our participating farmers the opportunity to showcase the importance of farms which produce food with nature in mind.' 'In the past, many people in Ireland would have grown up with access to a farm through their extended family. "With the dwindling number of small-hold farms and farmers, that's not really the case anymore, so this is an opportunity to give urban and indeed rural people access to not just a working farm, but one that approaches food production in a sustainable and nature-friendly way.' Bruce Thompson of Camcloon Dairy Farm in Laois, which is opening its gates to the public as part of the event. RTÉ presenter and Inside The Gate patron, Ella McSweeney, said: 'Like so many people in Ireland, I grew up in an urban area with no direct connection to farming. "Over the years, through my work, I've been lucky enough to visit farms all across the country, and it's given me a huge understanding of how food is produced and how farmers can drive positive change on their land, to the benefit of all of us. 'The fact is that for most Irish people, unless you know a farmer personally, it's not at all easy to get onto a working farm. So I'm really thrilled that Farming for Nature farmers will be throwing their gates open to the public on 31st August. "It's an unmissable opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds to spend time on a farm, meet the farmers and see up close how they produce food while looking after nature. Farming for Nature farmers have created some of the most nature-rich farms in the country.'
Irish Independent
3 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Worshippers to descend on Cavan Cathedral to remember pioneering cleric on brink of sainthood
Liam Cosgrove Today at 10:11 A special mass will be held in Cavan tomorrow in memory of a world renowned religious leader with strong ties to the Breffni county. American born priest, Fr Michael McGivney (1852-1890) became a central figure in the growth of Catholicism in the United States through his formation of the Knights of Columbus.
RTÉ News
3 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Warning issued over use of inflatable toys at sea
Water Safety Ireland has launched a fresh appeal warning members of the public to leave inflatable toys at home when visiting the coast. It comes after a teenager was airlifted to safety on Saturday by the Coast Guard after reports were received of a child adrift on an inflatable around 200 metres offshore from Newcastle in Co Wicklow. Speaking on RTÉ's News at One, Divisional Controller of the Marine Rescue Coordination Centre in Dublin Ivan Longmore said that incidents like these were becoming a frequent occurrence. "We probably get steady reports of these incidents, particularly when there's a settled spell of weather," he said. "I wouldn't say it's increased dramatically, but it's certainly an incident that we do get frequent callers for," he added. Mr Longmore recommended that people do not bring inflatables to the sea or other coastal areas. "Don't do it, particularly if there's offshore winds and they can develop at any time, and particularly where there's tidal currents, which there is on all Irish waters," he said. Water Safety Ireland also reported that 51 people have died in Irish waters to date this year. CEO of Water Safety Ireland Joanne Walsh said that lives lost at sea so far this year were the highest they had been in recent times. "To put that into context, at a similar time in 2024, 47 lives were lost. In 2023, 50 lives were lost," she said. "We're highlighting this, speaking to children, to adults, to teenagers. So far this year, in an eight-week period, we lost seven children," she added. Ms Walsh encouraged young people who may take to the water during the spell of good weather to be responsible and to watch out for one another. "Please try and swim at a lifeguarded waterway. If you're at a lifeguarded waterway, look for the yellow and red flags. That's the area known to be safe. That's where the lifeguard has risk-assessed," she said. "If it says don't swim or dangerous swimming, please heed it. Please be responsible. Please look out for each other," she added.
