Roman Catholic Schools
SIR,—Your paragraph on " Roman Catholic Schools " calls for comment. You omit to mention that the Catholic claim is primarily based upon parental right, a right antecedent to that of the State, and in no sense a privilege accorded by the State, to see that children receive a religious education. You also omit to mention the enormous increase of costs since the 1944 Act, and the need under that Act to construct new schools besides repairing the old.
For many years religious schools of various denominations have been saving the State large sums of money, often through heroic efforts. Those who supported them, and most of these have been poor, have been paying more than double for the religious education of their children in taxes and in voluntary contributions, while those who wished for no religious education, or were content with the severely limited opportunities for denominational instruction given in controlled schools, have been privileged. Catholics are claiming no right which they would pot share with their fellow Christians, and to ensure that one's children should be taught by Christian teachers is a parental right, not a privilege. We should not accuse of claiming privilege those whom we suffer to be penalised.
But were it only a matter of making heavier financial sacrifices for the sake of conscience and Christian education, the situation, however unjust, would be tolerable. The trouble is that the increase of costs goes beyond all possible sacrifices. However, you say that the presumption is against the validity of the Catholic claims, since the three political parties have rejected them. The Catholics are " interested." Who would not be when they believe the good of their children involved ? But the political parties " are disinterested." Oh brave new world ! There is no need for Christian education to make it any better. The political parties on the eve of an election, faced with a demand for minority rights, have proved themselves disinterested.
The election atmosphere will pass away. The children and their spiritual needs will remain. So will the memory of those who are ready to face unpopularity by putting their Christianity before their politics. It has not been easy to do. Perhaps one day, Sir, you will again be writing about the call for co-operation among Christians, and even about the need for Christian education to save our civilisation. Christian co-operation and education are what we are asking for now, when the asking is no lip service. And one day we shall all remember bow angry Christ was against those who kept little children from him, and his threats to any who scandalise " little ones."—Yours faithfully,
[The whole question turns on the alleged " right " to denominational education at the expense of the State.—Ed. Spectator.]
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