School closure threat by bishop ‘disappointing’
THE Bishop of Portsmouth’s threat to close Guernsey’s three Catholic schools has been described as ‘very disappointing’ by one of the organisations consulted over anti-discrimination legislation due to be debated in the States this week.
Bishop Philip Egan has warned that if the new legislation comes into force, requiring the schools to phase out restricting senior roles to Catholic candidates, the church may not be able to continue its 150-year tradition of providing education on the island.
In response, Richy Thompson, Humanists UK’s director of public affairs and policy, said the threat would ‘cause uncertainty in children’s education’.
‘This ordinance is a major step forward for human rights and equality in Guernsey,’ he said, ‘and should be embraced and celebrated by all.
‘It is unacceptable that those in the teaching profession should continue to be discriminated against, and should accept fewer options for employment and career advancement merely because of their background.
‘We hope that this dispute can be resolved amicably and that the schools will continue to offer the children of Guernsey a quality education.’
A delay has been built into the proposed legislation, so that any non-Catholic staff at the three schools will still be prevented from applying for senior roles for a further five years, if passed.
The bishop travelled to Guernsey with other representatives at the weekend to meet Chief Minister Peter Ferbrache and a selection of invited deputies, after which Deputy Ferbrache described the legislation – proposed by Employment & Social Security – as completely misguided and intolerant.
For ESS, vice-president Deputy Lindsay De Sausmarez said: ‘The core issue here is whether it is justifiable for it to be legal for an employer to, in certain situations, require an employee to be of a particular faith in order for them to have a specific role.
‘As a general principle, we don’t believe people should be discriminated against because of their faith if they are, in every other respect, the best person for the job.
'However, as a committee we recognise that as with any legislation there are times when it is appropriate to have exemptions in place.
‘We considered whether the desire of the Catholic Church for the three schools to be led by staff of that faith merited such an exemption, and decided that it did, for an initial five-year period.
‘The reason for the initial five-year period is so that further consultation can take place, which can help determine whether it is appropriate for that exemption to remain, or fall away.
‘We understand the strength of feeling from representatives of the Catholic Church regarding this issue, which is why our committee met them to discuss it.
‘The amendment [from the Education Committee] is a matter for the Assembly to decide.
‘The committee is of the view that as all teachers at the Catholic schools – the significant majority of whom are not Catholic – successfully help to maintain the schools’ ethos, it would be preferable ultimately if great teachers who have contributed to these schools over many years and who may make excellent school leaders were not barred from that role purely on account of their faith.
‘I fully accept that representatives of the Catholic Church, which owns the relevant school buildings, feel differently.’
