Holy Communion preparation to end in Limerick schools to be divested

A PILOT process has commenced on the northside of Limerick city to divest school(s) from their Catholic patronage to a multi-denominational ethos.

The Limerick Leader understands that representatives from nine schools – JFK, Parteen, Salesian Girls, Christ the King, Our Lady Queen of Ireland, Thomond, Gaelscoil Sairseal, St Mary’s, Corpus Christi – were invited to a meeting before Christmas. Limerick is one of a number of pilot areas around the country. Preparations for Holy Communion and Confirmation would have to take place outside school hours in the divested schools.

Minister for Education Norma Foley announced in March 2022 arrangements were being put in place in a number of towns and areas of cities that have no multi-denominational primary schools to identify potential schools and to engage with school authorities, school staff and school communities with a view to agreeing on a transfer of patronage and change of ethos, where there is sufficient demand.

As part of this pilot, the department has made available a number of independent facilitators to work with the school patron and relevant school authorities at a local level to progress the reconfiguration pilot initiative.

A spokesperson for the Department of Education said: “The voice of the parent and school community is important in the context of a decision to change to a multi-denominational ethos.”

In Pictures: Limerick students follow the yellow brick road for first musical since Covid

It is thought that the purpose of the project on Limerick’s northside is to have one or two schools divested from its Catholic trusteeship.

One parent, who didn’t wish to be named, said the “entire reconfiguration process appears to be very cloak and dagger”.

“Parents are unaware of the selection process and cannot understand why these nine schools were directed to participate in this process. It seems that one or two schools will be divested of their patronage once a tiny bit of interest is shown by staff or parents.

“My children’s school is dynamic, progressive and extremely inclusive. It has a proud Catholic culture while also embracing children from other cultures and traditions,” said the parent.

The adjoining church is very involved in supporting all of our families, they said.

“The church actively fundraises for the school to deliver therapeutic interventions such as play therapy, speech and language therapy and occupational therapy directly to the children in the community. No one can tell us if we would lose all these supports if we are to change patronage. Our church is so interlinked and intertwined with the school and the community. Parent and child classes take place in the church, music groups take place in the church along with being used by our children, teachers, parents and the entire community as a safe space.

“There is no appetite in the community where I live for a change of patronage so why are we being targeted and dictated to about attending meetings about a process which we have had no input into and no prior information? The uncertainty and secrecy of the whole process is very worrying,” said the parent.

Another parent  Ailís Ní Chofaigh, who was contacted by the Leader, said many religions hold Sunday schools which would facilitate learning about the practices of the religion outside of school hours.

“Currently in some schools in Ireland, like Educate Together, Holy Communion preparation classes take place immediately after school and on school grounds with the local priest. In order to provide inclusive education we should have secular or multi-denominational education.

“By continuing single denominational public schools we continue a system of exclusion whereby we are segregating children as young as four years of age based on religion. The department has committed to divesting schools and is behind on delivery of this. No one loses out here,” said Ms Ní Chofaigh.

The mum, who lives in the county, said the Catholic Church can still provide religious instruction and education within their own facilities.

“Holy Communion prep can take place in the community, either after school on school grounds, in the church or a community centre. Religious education still takes place in school but from a multi-denominational approach, which is in fact more educational and inclusive. It's a logical approach to provide inclusive education that teaches religion from multiple perspectives, including discussions of non-belief.

“It makes sense to hold specific religious services / practices, such as Holy Communion, within the church itself and outside of school hours. It doesn't make sense to segregate children based on religion,” said Ms Ní Chofaigh.

Limerick Literary Festival celebrates 39th anniversary

Local councillor, Conor Sheehan said this was something he would broadly welcome but it must be done in consultation with parents and the wider school community.

"I believe that this will strengthen the link between those who want to take part in these ceremonies and the church. Religion is currently taught in primary schools for over two hours a week with much longer time spent on the subject in second and sixth class on hymns and prayers to prepare children for the sacraments of Communion and Confirmation.

"From a purely practical point of view, moving this outside of school time will allow this valuable time to be diverted to key skills such as literacy and numeracy which is especially relevant given the amount of valuable classroom time lost due to Covid," said Cllr Sheehan.

The Labour councillor said he understands that the sacraments of Communion and Confirmation are important to people and those who want their children to take part will still be able to do so.  

“We need to accommodate those of many faiths and none within our education system and our society and school communities are increasingly diverse which is something we must reflect upon.  

“I believe the broader issue of separating church and state within the education system must be looked at by a Citizens Assembly as we need a national conversation about how we achieve a modern, secular and equality-based education system fit for the future," said Cllr Sheehan.

A Limerick Diocese spokesperson said: "As part of a series of nationwide pilot programmes sought by government to explore the demand for divestment of Catholic primary schools to other or non denominations, the Department of Education has engaged an independent facilitator to conduct such a pilot with schools on the north side of Limerick city.

"This is currently underway through meetings with teachers and parents and is expected to conclude in early March. The Diocese of Limerick is fully supportive of this very important and informative listening process."