CHURCH leaders have been criticised for their stance on integrated education and urged to follow the lead of "courageous parents" in working towards a shared future in classrooms.
Baroness May Blood, the campaign chair of the Integrated Education Fund, hit out at the north's church leaders in an open letter following recent comments at Stormont's Education Committee by Bishop of Derry, Donal McKeown, that Catholic schools were being blamed for preventing progress on integration.
Shankill-born peer Baroness Blood also referred to claims made - at last month's service to mark in Armagh marking the centenary of Northern Ireland - by religious leaders including the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, David Bruce.
Catholic primate, Archbishop Eamon Martin had spoken of the "difficult truth that perhaps we in the churches could have done more to deepen our understanding of each other and to bring healing and peace to our divided and wounded communities".
Baroness Blood said they were "all fine words, well spoken", but said churches had "significant influence" over education.
"So I ask - what better way to encourage deeper understanding and build relationships with those we differ than to educate our children our children together in the same schools?" she wrote.
Speaking of the claims made at the Education Committee, she continued: "The message delivered last week from the churches was one of how our schools are already integrated, diverse and inclusive. In short, they feel precious little needs to change.
"Yet according to the Department of Education, Protestant children make up less than two per cent of pupils in Catholic schools and Catholic children account for less than eight per cent of pupils attending controlled schools. And when it comes to teachers, unlike the rest of employees who can rely on legislation to protect them from discrimination on the grounds of their faith, that same protection is denied."
She said: "The continued absence of support from churches and the lip service... means the drive for integration in our schools will still be left to courageous parents, schools and local communities. And together they are bringing about positive change."
