Sunday, August 26, 2007

Catholic leaders to veto 'nonsensical' closures

CHURCH leaders have threatened to veto the closure of two Catholic schools in Edinburgh and force Scottish ministers to take the final decision.

Monsignor Tony Duffy, chaplain at St Cuthbert's Roman Catholic primary school in Slateford described the plans as "nonsense".

St Cuthbert's and St Catherine's in Gracemount are among 22 Edinburgh schools earmarked to be shut by the city council.

But closing Catholic schools requires the approval of the church or must be backed by Executive ministers.

Monsignor Duffy said: "At this stage we are totally opposed to it. Our arguments are not specifically related to the Catholic issue but if we have to use it we will. It is just a nonsense to talk about closing the school.

"I spent the first few days of last week in the school - I have been a priest for over 30 years and I have never seen so much hurt and pain. Teachers and parents and kids were in tears over what was being suggested."

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