Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin has called for open, honest debate on the future of the school system and expressed concern that many Irish people are "quietly opting out of integration by sending their children to schools with low levels of diversity".
In a homily delivered at the Festival of Peoples in the Pro Cathedral in Dublin yesterday evening, Archbishop Martin said he was pleased that Catholic schools had a strong record of welcoming children from foreign backgrounds.
"I sometimes feel that some of the pundits who comment on the role of Catholic schools in the process of integration have not seen for themselves the success story of integration that I see in so many parts of this diocese. We need open debate on the future of our educational system, but we need an honest debate," he said.
While pointing to successes in integrating immigrants, Archbishop Martin also identified problems that had to be addressed. "We can all do better. Many, for example, quietly opt out of integration by sending their children to schools with low levels of diversity. A mixture of speculative rent policies and inadequate planning and services can transform the normal wish of immigrants to gather where their peers and friends have found a home, into an unhealthy environment which even the best school will never be able to redress."
"Integration is a task and a challenge for all. All of us in Irish society need to address the challenges. We need open debate, and not just point-scoring."
The Festival of Peoples, initiated by Archbishop Martin in 2005, is a liturgical celebration of Dublin's new cultures. Incorporating different languages and music, participants at yesterday's event included Poles, Filipinos, Nigerians, Romanians and Palestinians.
In his homily, Archbishop Martin said he rejoiced at the creativity immigrants had brought to local communities and to the economy. "Be proud to be in Ireland. Be proud to be Irish, but do not lose the richness of the traditions you bring here to us. Ireland is big enough to embrace you," he said.
On social change in Dublin, Archbishop Martin recalled Pope Benedict's recent warning on the danger of modern society becoming an "aggregation of neighbours" and suggested this rang true in the capital.
"I am struck at the change in Dublin society where we find areas which once affronted the difficulties of life with a true spirit of caring, community and solidarity, now turning into walled citadels where consumerist anonymity prevails.
"How much loneliness exists in our cities? How much fear? But fear - in Dublin or in any other part of the world - will be overcome not by building walls, but by building relationships."
But these relationships could also come up against the forces of intolerance and racism, he said.
