Sir, – The comments about same-sex relationships made by Fr Seán Sheehy during Sunday Mass in Listowel are a timely reminder that the State continues to cede control not only of relationships and sexuality education (RSE), but indeed of almost our entire primary education system, to the Catholic Church (“Bishop apologises over controversial remarks by priest at Listowel Mass”, News, November 1st).
The congregation was told that sexual sin is rampant, as Fr Sheehy referred to the “promotion” of sex between two men and two women as a “mortal sin”. Bishop of Kerry Dr Ray Browne has been quick to apologise for these comments, stating that: “The views expressed do not represent the Christian position.”
That’s not quite true though, is it? The rollout of the Catholic Church’s “Flourish” RSE programme in 2021 caused anger with its heteronormative approach to sexuality. Addressed at young children from junior infants to sixth class, this material says that: “The Church’s teaching in relation to marriage between a man and a woman cannot be omitted.” Full of colourful photographs, Flourish does not feature a single picture of a same-sex couple. This is not an oversight.
Meanwhile, a letter sent to parents in April by Catholic-run Lacken national school in Co Wicklow about its approach to RSE stated that: “Teachers do not cover topics such as contraception and same-sex friendships.” This was despite an active and well-publicised campaign by local parents last year urging the school to take a factual and inclusive approach to the subject that was “free from influence of a religious ethos”.
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Delegates at a recent Irish National Teachers’ Organisation congress heard how LGBTQ and atheist teachers live in fear of being themselves in Catholic schools, with surveys showing that less than one in five LGBTQ primary teachers have come out to colleagues, parents or pupils.
Controversial as they may be, Fr Sheehy’s comments are entirely consistent with the teachings of his church and with the message being coercively imparted to generations of Irish children in our schools.
These attitudes have no place in our taxpayer-funded classrooms.
It’s long past time we lifted the burden of religious interference from the curriculum and those entrusted with imparting it.
In a modern republic, our schools should be places of equal respect for all. – Yours, etc,
DAVID GRAHAM,
Communications Officer,
Education Equality,
Malahide,
Co Dublin.