Catholic schools 'not creating divisions'

The report examines the role of Catholic schools

Northern Ireland's Catholic bishops have denied that Catholic schools are obstacles to the peace process.

In an internal report examining Catholic schools' contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process, the bishops have said the perception that the schools are promoting division in society is "superficial, misleading and unjust".

In the report, Building Peace - Shaping the Future, the bishops argued that schools could not be blamed for the polarisation in Northern Ireland, and that schools cannot solve the problems.

The senior churchmen have said the problems stem from generations of what they described as "totally unacceptable inherited apartheid" between Catholics and Protestants.

Tradition

The document defended the record of Catholic schools in promoting peace and reconciliation.

It is being seen as a response to those who say integrated education is a better way to heal divisions between the communities in the province.

The clerics admitted that many Catholics had not developed what they called "an emotional patriotism" towards Northern Ireland.

They said traditional divisions would be difficult to break down and that it would not be easy to get general acceptance of the province's new political institutions.

The bishops have also encouraged Catholic schools to attract more pupils who are not Catholic.

They said the schools should be welcoming and fair to pupils and staff from other religious traditions.