Review the Catholic Church's role in schools, says BRIAN MOONEY

THE RECENT address by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin raised important issues on the role and function of Catholic schools as places of evangelization or faith formation for young people. He said many people send their children to a Catholic school - not primarily because it is a Catholic school - but because it was well regarded.

He said the true level of parental interest in a Catholic education could only be measurable when they have real choice. Continuing on this theme, he said the Catholic Church was deluding itself if it believed that that most schools were actively engaged in religious education and faith formation.

There were clear indications, he said, that religious education is being shifted to the margins of school life in many Catholic schools. This was because of other curriculum pressures and extracurricular activities.

Dr Martin acknowledged the strong commitment of many teachers to Catholic education. But there were also many teachers in Catholic schools who no longer share the Catholic faith.

Referring to the role Catholic schools have played in educating the tens of thousands of new Irish children from a multiplicity of faith backgrounds, he acknowledged Catholic schools have contributed greatly to integration in Irish society.

But how can a Catholic school be truly Catholic when only a fraction of its staff and pupils are actively practising members of its own faith community? How can a nationally based Catholic school system which provides for all children establish a real Catholic ethos? How can it do this without undermining the rights of those with other faiths for no faith?

Dr Martin said he was not critical of Catholic teachers and Catholic schools who do tremendous work. What's needed, he said, is renewal of the vision of parish, because many of our parishes offer little in terms of outreach to young people.

In my view, the greatest weakness of the Catholic Church in Ireland today is its continuing belief that control of schools helps to nurture and safeguard the faith.

Let's be frank: most parents opt for schools for reasons which have often very little to do with the Catholic ethos on offer. They choose schools which are well regarded where their children can achieve their academic and social potential.

It's time for the Catholic Church to accept the reality that its continuing control of most Irish schools is doing little to help its own growth and development.

If the Catholic Church really wants to renew itself within Irish society, it should transfer the faith formation process away from the school system.

Instead, it should give the key role to individual parishes. Religious education would be available for those who want it - and it would be taught by parishioners with a deep commitment to the faith.

Under this system, children would be confirmed and receive Communion within their local parishes and not through the school system. This is the method by which religious faith is nourished and transmitted in most other countries. It is also the way forward for an embattled church.

The Catholic Church should stop being so protective about its control of schools. It should have the courage to accept the reality as outlined by Dr Martin's challenging address.

Brian Mooney teaches at Oatlands College, Stillorgan , Dublin