Madam - YOUR EDITORIAL "Faith in our schools" (March 31st) refers to Ireland's educational system as having been run on "a model that delegated control of most schools to the churches".
The word "delegated" is remarkable, given that Article 42 of Bunreacht na hÉireann identifies the family as the "primary and natural educator" of children, and recognizes the primacy of parents' rights in education.
Since you appear to take it that the State "delegated" school-control to others, I have to assume that you consider the right to educate children to belong ultimately to the State.
If so, that amounts to rejecting the substance of Article 42, and adopting a position that radically abrogates a fundamental liberty.
It is ironic, too, that increased cultural and religious diversity should be viewed as grounds for more State control and uniformity.
Suspicion directed at religious authorities seeking to ensure the competence of religion teachers is reminiscent of the Westminster MP who recently stated that he had no objection to religious education in schools, provided no religion was taught as "true".
"Oh brave new world that has such people in it."
The widespread undermining of family and parental rights must greatly increase State power, at the expense of freedom.
There is such a thing as "soft totalitarianism", and the attack on family and religion from various quarters feeds it. - Yours, etc
Fr SÉAMUS MURPHY SJ, Senior lecturer in philosophy, Milltown Institute, Dublin 6.