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Catholic bishop accused of religious 'fundamentalism' for ordering a crucifix in every classroom
Last updated at 01:52am on 13.03.08A Roman Catholic bishop will be forced to explain himself to MPs today over fears that he is imposing religious "fundamentalism" on children.
Patrick O'Donoghue, the Bishop of Lancaster, will be questioned over his ban on what he calls "values-free" sex education in Catholic schools in his diocese and his order to put up crucifixes in every classroom.
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Criticised: Bishop O'Donoghue says safe sex lessons for children are based on a 'deluded theory'
His summons to appear before the House of Commons select committee on children, schools and families follows a 66-page document he produced last year which angered some MPs because of its strict line on sexual morality.
In the document, called Fit for Mission?, Bishop O'Donoghue wrote: "The secular view on sex outside marriage, artificial contraception, sexually transmitted disease, including HIV and Aids, and abortion, may not be presented as neutral information."
He said "so-called" safe sex was based on the "deluded theory that the condom can provide adequate protection against Aids".
And he added: "Schools and colleges must not supuseful-port charities or groups that promote or fund anti-life policies, such as Red Nose Day and Amnesty International, which now advocates abortion."
Although sex education is mandatory in all secondary schools, Bishop O'Donoghue insisted that in every lesson - even science classes - it must be taught solely in the context of "the sacrament of marriage".
The bishop has been criticised by Barry Sheerman, the chairman of the schools select committee.
"A lot of taxpayers' money is going into church schools and I think we should tease out what is happening here," said Mr Sheerman, the Labour MP for Huddersfield.
"A group of bishops appear to be taking a much firmer line and I think it would be to call representatives in front of the committee to find out what is going on.
"It seems to me that faith education works all right as long as people are not that serious about their faith.
"But as soon as there is a more doctrinaire attitude questions have to be asked.
"It does become worrying when you get a new push from more fundamentalist bishops. This is taxpayers' money after all."
The bishop said yesterday that his document had been in response to pressure from parents.
"Many parents go to great lengths to bring up their children properly and they feel that schools are not cooperating with them as well as they should," he added.
He said Whitehall's sex education policies had failed and 30 years of "throwing condoms at children" had simply resulted in increasing levels of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
Bishop O'Donoghue added: "But they (the MPs) see me as a fundamentalist and that is a pejorative word these days with connotations of terrorism, violence and irrationality. I will say I reject these connotations."
As part of their inquiry, the MPs will consider whether faith schools should be publicly funded and whether they should continue to control their own pupil admissions.
Reader views (14)
Bishop O'Donoghue is responsible for the care of the souls in his diocese. That is what his job is. How will he explain himself on Judgement Day if he has not done his job? If only there were more bishops like him who would stand up and be counted as diligently passing on the teachings of the Catholic Faith to those who have been baptised into the Roman Catholic Church. He has my full support.
- Howard Toon, Loughborough, U.K., 12/09/2008 11:55
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I have to ask - Why are people so scared of Catholic schools?
Catholic school are what they say they are, Catholic, so they must adhere to the teachings of the Catholic Church. If you don't agree with Catholic teachings, then don't send your children to them. In like manner, if you are unaware of Catholic teaching then please don't make ignorant comments about it.
- S Miller, Greenock, Scotland, 12/09/2008 10:55
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What's wrong with our society. Sexuality is allowed to be taught in schools anything that would have been considered immoral in school's just a generation ago is being taught on a wide scale. Kids still come down with sexually transmitted diseases and abortions and this courageous Bishop needs to answer to most likely an atheistic MP why he has to put crucifixes in each class room of the school. There is a big problem with the right values in our society! Bravo to the Bishop. Keep up the very good work. You are an example of courage and determination!
God bless!
- John, Canada, 12/09/2008 10:55
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Ave Maria Purissima. God bless Bishop O'Donoghue. At last, Catholic schools to teach the true Catholicism, the only way to walk through the way to reach the truth and get the life - Jesus Christ.
- Maria Dolores R. Orge, Salvador - Bahia - Brasil, 12/09/2008 10:55
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Parents choose church schools as they reflect the moral attitudes of their family. If parents prefer to have sex education taught within the sacrament of marriage that is their decision. That is how we were taught 30 years ago. Today's anything goes teaching puts pressure on children to become sexually active before they are emotionally ready. I am a real atheist but I thoroughly back everything this gentleman is saying.
- Jane, London, UK, 12/09/2008 10:55
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The man should be put on charges for endangering the lives of the children under his delusional care because of his lying. The stupidity of his opposition on condoms is not diminished by his religion, rather the fact that he gets his ideas on modern problems from very old fictional literature should be grounds to get him medicated.
- Pekka Hulukka, Vantaa, Finland, 12/09/2008 10:55
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Public funding of faith schools should cease. Ideally, religion should be kept out of schools altogether unless all beliefs are taught along with humanism and philosophy. Children should not be indoctrinated by any particular religion.
- Adam, London, UK, 12/09/2008 10:55
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Its a Catholic school, so why not? There's a difference between fundamentals and fundamentalism.
- Rogan, DFW Texas, 12/09/2008 10:55
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"Safe sex lessons for children are based on a 'deluded theory'"
Oh the irony! What is Christianity then Bishop? Most educated people would describe that as based on a 'deluded theory'!
This is another example of the church trying to brainwash and control children and another specific example of the Catholic church being involved in child abuse.
- Chris, London, UK, 12/09/2008 10:55
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I am in FULL support of the Bishop. May God bless him and help him to stand strong for his stance. My prayers are with him!
- Neil Baltazor, Harrah, Oklahoma USA, 12/09/2008 10:55
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I gladly support this man's "ridiculous" stance; I for one am grateful for the Church's brave adherence to reason when it comes to human sexuality. It's hard to see the common sense and truth of these bishops' statements when one has been swept away by a deluded culture. But if people could only step back and see the big picture--how the STDs, AIDS, broken families, dysfunctional relationships, objectification of women and children, etc. are exacerbated by a "liberal" approach to sex--they'd perhaps acknowledge that the Church has a point. Maybe someday they'll thank God that someone stood strong, even in the face of persecutors who threaten them with politically damaging name calling (i.e., "fundamentalist" and "homophobic").
- Valerie Striker, Steubenville, US, 12/09/2008 10:55
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I find it difficult to believe there are comments here *supporting* this man's ridiculous stance. I'm a former Catholic who attended Catholic school, was given terrible sex education which at least partly led me to make some very bad decisions at a very young age. Better sex education helps, not harms. Deluded theory that condoms protect against AIDS? What's with this and the homophobic remarks made by the Scottish bishop yesterday, I am beginning to wonder what they're putting in the communion wine.
- Claire, Sheffield, UK, 12/09/2008 10:55
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Good on the bishop. I hope he continues his courageous stand.
- Donald, London, UK, 12/09/2008 10:55
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I am a Catholic taxpayer and father - and I agree with the Bishop.
- Kieron Wood, London, England, 12/09/2008 10:55
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