Sir, - Garret FitzGerald's otherwise helpful review of recent legal cases concerning religion and schools (Opinion, June 10th) would be more useful if he were better informed on the history and current practice of multi-denominational education in the Republic. His statement that "multi-denominational schools are intended for families who wish their children to be brought up in a Christian, but not denominational, atmosphere" is an astounding misrepresentation of the entire 25-year history of the Educate Together movement. His further assertion that "some of these schools may be unhappy at being expected to cater for children of non-religious parents" is an extraordinary inaccuracy that has no basis in fact and could seriously mislead parents considering a multi-denominational school for their children.
The Educate Together movement from its foundation has refused to allow itself to be characterised as upholding merely a "Christian" definition of multi-denominationalism. This was made clear even before the opening of the first Educate Together school in 1977. At a public meeting held in Dalkey, Michael Johnston - when pressed on this point - stated that the principle required was that "no child is an outsider" and that this definition of multi-denominationalism included all denominations of all faith and belief systems, including those of personal creed and those of no religion. Furthermore, Dr FitzGerald should be aware of the legal basis of the patronage of all Educate Together schools, which obliges the boards of management to enact the following definition in all its policies: "An ethos where every child is equally respected and has equal rights of access to the school regardless of social, cultural or religious background or personal creed, and where all children are educated together in an atmosphere of respect."
It has always been the case that parents and children of all faiths and none are welcome in Educate Together schools. The ethos of the school guarantees respect and support of each child's identity, whatever that may be. This is achieved through the provision of a broad educational programme about religion and faith systems with schools being legally prevented from inculcating any particular belief.
At the same time, the school provides facilities for any group of parents who wish to organise religious instruction outside the main school programme. This is an "opt-in option" which takes place outside school hours and is not the responsibility of the board of management. As a result, pupils are never put in a position where they have to opt out of religious instruction.
It is extraordinary that a respected academic, a former Taoiseach under whose administration a number of Educate Together schools were opened, can use the prominence of a column in your paper to exacerbate the already existing confusion between non-denominational and multi-denominational education in Ireland. In fact, if the research had been done, most of the issues raised by Dr FitzGerald in his article are met in the day-to-day practice of the multi-denominational schools operating under the Educate Together charter. - Yours, etc.,
Paul Rowe, Chairperson, Educate Together, John Player House, South Circular Road, Dublin 8.