Christian education is being betrayed

Dear Editor, I expressed concern, in a recent letter to The Irish Catholic, in relation to the (former) Catholic ethos of Saint Patrick’s College, Drumcondra. Since then, Professor President Brian Mac Craith of DCU, speaking in Drumcondra on  Friday February 28th 2014, has stated categorically that by 2016 Saint Patrick’s College, Mater Dei Institute, and Church of Ireland College of Education will all be incorporated into secular Dublin City University as a secular institute of education, located on the Drumcondra campus. Professor President Daire Keogh stated that the Manager of Saint Patrick’s College and Patron of Mater Dei, His Grace Dr Diarmuid Martin was aware of what was involved and supportive of the incorporation process.

By what authority did Professor President Mac Craith make that startling announcement? Neither the students, their parents, nor the College community in any of the three colleges have been consulted on the matter of ethos, to my knowledge, much less the staff of DCU proper. Some two years ago Professor President Mac Craith stated that in any ‘enhancement’ of the relationship between Saint Patrick’s Collegeand DCU the ethos and traditions of the College would be protected. The two professor presidents of DCU and Drumcondra regularly proclaim a commitment to ‘diversity’. Their actions belie their words

There is not one single Catholic university on the island of Ireland (if one excludes the narrowly focused Pontifical University at Maynooth which is largely restricted to Theology, Philosophy and Cannon Law). The only Church of Ireland college of education in the Republic of Ireland will be no more by 2016. The Christian ethos of the older universities has been decimated. Denominational colleges of secular universities are being destroyed. Secular homogeneity is the only option tolerated. Diversity indeed! Who bears responsibility for what is undoubtedly the greatest act of treachery against Christian education in Irish history?

Yours, etc.,

Ciarán Ó Coigligh

Saint Patrick's College,

Drumcondra,

Dublin 9.