The Bishop of Cork and Ross has written to a Cork school saying he would not permit enrolment of pupils next September unless every teacher agreed to an amalgamation with another school.
The staff and parents of pupils of 100-year-old school, St Finbarr's College, Farranferris, have vehemently opposed a proposed amalgamation with a larger school in the city since it was first suggested 18 months ago. The teachers and parents have issued a plea to the bishop to refrain from closing their school.
The proposed merger led to arguments earlier this month when Bishop John Buckley informed teachers that unless he had a written agreement from each teacher in support of the amalgamation with North Monastery by October 24th he would not permit any enrolment of pupils in St Finbarr's next September, effectively closing the school.
According to the patron and sole trustee of the school, the proposed amalgamation is in response to falling numbers at St Finbarr's, and offers a state-of-the-art educational facility and better opportunities for career development.
In his letter dated October 7th, Bishop Buckley imposed a deadline of today by which teachers and parents must indicate their position.
According to those opposed to the merger, the original decision to amalgamate was taken by the bishop without any consultation with them. Yesterday they issued a plea to Bishop Buckley to meet with them to consider other options for the school, which they say has a strong traditional ethos.
A spokeswoman for the parents and teachers said they were "very upset and angry" at the stark choice presented to them and that they were adamant the merger with a 500-plus pupil school is not in their students' best interests.
"We are amazed that the bishop is seeking to determine the fate of a school founded in 1887 on the basis of a letter which effectively states, 'Agree with me or I close the school'."In a statement yesterday, the parents and teachers called on the bishop to suspend his "deadline".