The future of catholic schools — the forum on patronage and pluralism: a culturalmarker and wake-up call

Abstract

Since the publication or the Report from the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism, the Minister for Education, Ruairi Quinn TD, has moved to dampen expectations with regard to the number of pri mary schools that are likely to be divested by religious patrons. The issue of reassigning patronage is proving to be much more problematic than originally envisaged, not only in rural areas but also in towns and cities. Faced with possible handover of their school to a secular patron such as the VEC or Educate Together, many local communities are coming to realize just how important their school's Catholic identity is to them and they are not anxious to let go of it.