The Catholic Converter: Envisioning an Inclusive Irish Education

If you ask most people living outside Ireland to describe the country, you’ll no doubt hear about its rich historical significance, Celtic heritage, strong sense of identity, language and literature, and religious influence. With a history that dates back thousands of years, Irish traditions can be seen in our music, dance, and storytelling. We also have a reputation for taking great pride in our heritage, despite that it’s probably undeserved. For example, while we defend the heritage of the Irish language, very few of us actually speak it. Additionally, it could be argued (and often is), the Catholic religion has played a significant role in shaping what it means to be Irish, despite the fact that fewer than 30% of Irish people attend Mass regularly. As part of all this, let’s talk about Catholic schools. Much like the Irish language and Mass attendance, it seems most people hold Catholic schools as a testament to…

However, as Ireland finds itself amidst a rapidly changing society, where fewer than 70% of people now identify as Catholic, our education system, deeply entrenched in Catholicism, needs evolution.

One thing most people agree on is that we have too many Catholic schools — 90% in all. In fact, we have too many religious-controlled schools (95%) in Ireland. Since 2011, there has been an effort, albeit a half-hearted one in my view, to divest religious-run schools to multi-denominational models. Despite the Catholic Church initially agreeing to a divestment of at least half of their schools, the government set an incredibly unambitious target of 400 such schools by 2030, which would reduce the number of Catholic schools to around 82%. By 2023, fewer than 50 schools have changed their ethos to an equality-based one. I’m being very generous in the figure 50. It’s really closer to half that.

The government are now in their third attempt to escalate the snail-paced movement but they are simply trying the same thing each time with a different name. From the Pluralism and Patronage Forum to the Divestment Strategy to the Reconfiguration Pilot, all three are trying to do the same thing in almost the same way. It is eagerly being welcomed by those with a vested interest in keeping things the same. However, this article isn’t about what they should do because, if they were bothered, it wouldn’t take very much effort. Essentially, the State could give the church bodies a couple of years to reconfigure to a different ethos before pulling their capital funding. Much like the smoking ban, the plastic bag levy and the sugar tax, they just did it and everyone adapted.

This article is about a job that I would create when schools moved from being Catholic schools to multidenoninational schools. The job will be called “The Catholic Converter.”

The seed for this idea was sown in an unexpected place — a Catholic-education podcast. It’s published by Dublin City University (DCU) which focuses on Catholic education in primary schools. Before you ask, yes, DCU is supposed to be a secular university, and no, before you ask, they haven’t made any podcasts aimed at education at multidenominational level. However, I’m listening to it “religiously” because I have a theory about Catholic education and Catholic ethos and Catholic schools, and the more and more I listen to it, the more and more I am convinced that my theory is right.

I don’t think Catholic schools understand why people like me give out about them being exclusive because I don’t think they understand what inclusion means and that merely having good intentions is enough. I think the presenter summed it up really well when he defined inclusion as inviting everyone in. For me, I think that’s a really good definition, but here’s where the trouble is. A school shouldn’t need to invite people in — there shouldn’t be invitations needed. No matter who you are or where you come from or most importantly in this case, whatever you believe, you shouldn’t need an invitation. The whole of you should be welcome without an invitation. I think the first episode of the podcast is a fascinating insight to the world of Catholic education and how it tackles issues like other faith groups, the non-believers, women in the clergy, gay people, and so on. I am not interested in slagging it off in any way but it did nothing to convince me that Catholic schools are inclusive to any of those groups unless these groups wished to become part of a Catholic community. In fact, in one soundbite, that was inferred strongly. Essentially to paraphrase: “We will include you and welcome you to join our Catholic Community.” The examples given were to sit at the back of the church for the sacraments or to join in the non-religious bits of lessons. As Groucho Marx says — “I Don’t Want to Belong to Any Club That Will Accept Me as a Member.”

So let’s just say the magic wand converted every school in Ireland from Catholic to multidenmoinational, let’s look at a few points where there might be issues! First up, what do we call a school if we can’t call it St. Mary and Joseph of the Immaculate Conception National School?

Naming Schools: A Shift Towards Geographical Identity

Imagine a school on Athy Road. Instead of a religious moniker, it’s “christened” Athy Road NS. Some might argue that this could lead to geographical confusions, but let’s be honest — names like ‘St. Patrick’s NS’ hardly offer locational clarity. A geographical name fosters a sense of community, detached from religious undertones.

Redefining Curriculum: From Religious to Ethical

Central to this transformative vision is a paradigm shift from religious instruction to ethical education. The ‘Grow in Love Programme’ could gracefully evolve into the ERBE curriculum, a secular and long-overdue alternative. Such a shift ensures an unbiased, universally relevant ethical foundation for every child.

Inclusion: The Essence of True Learning

It’s a misconception held by many Catholic institutions that their doors are open to all, and thus they are inclusive. True inclusivity isn’t just about open doors but ensuring that once inside, every individual feels an innate sense of belonging. It’s about every child, irrespective of their religious or cultural background, feeling seen, valued, and understood. It simply can’t happen when everything centres around a religion’s view of the world.

Finding Common Ground: Ethics and Religion

Many might argue that detaching religious teachings would strip the curriculum of moral values. However, ethical lessons and religious stories often tread the same ground. The tale of ‘The Good Samaritan’ or Aesop’s ‘The Boy Who Cried Wolf’ both teach integrity and compassion. We’re not reinventing the wheel, just making it open to everyone.

Practical Overhauls: Symbolism, Rituals, and More

Traditions like prayers and sacraments, deeply rooted in the Catholic school ethos, demand careful consideration. The repetitive morning prayers could transform into reflective mindfulness sessions. Sacramental preparations, already viewed as cumbersome even by teaching staff, can be omitted. As for the symbols, while larger religious statues might find a new home in churches, smaller symbols can serve as historical references, enabling a study of Christianity in its cultural context.

Redefining School Management

Moving away from religious patrons, Education Centres, with their efficiency and vast resources, can emerge as the new guardians of education. By ensuring a consistent, unbiased educational approach, they can shape the future of Irish education, marrying tradition with modernity. Note I say Education Centres and not the ETB. I think there’s an entire article on that that needs to be written.

Challenges and the Path Forward

The envisioned transformation isn’t without its hurdles. System such as the school bus logistics to insurance frameworks, are all ingrained in religious context require an overhaul. Teacher panels would need to be changed, ensuring they’re equipped to navigate this new educational paradigm.

Yet, these challenges aren’t insurmountable. In fact they’re pretty easy to achieve. They offer a good opportunity to redefine, restructure, and revitalise the Irish education system as we move through the 21st century. The goal isn’t to erase history or tradition but to build upon it, crafting an inclusive, progressive system that resonates with the Ireland of today and tomorrow.

While the ‘Catholic Converter’ remains a conceptual dream, it’s a job Id love! Imagine an Ireland where education isn’t bound by religious dogma but is fuelled by universal ethics and values. In fact, I see it as an education system that’s inclusive, progressive, and truly Irish.