Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Bishop Walsh pays tribute to primary schools

Bishop Willie Walsh of Killaloe this week paid tribute to primary schools, whom he claimed were one of the most important places in society.

Paying tribute to the Mercy Primary school in Nenagh in County Tipperary on its 100th anniversary, Dr Walsh said that sometimes, when he visited primary schools, he tried to get from children what they would regard as the most sacred places in our society.

He had no doubt that the answer he would give to that question if asked would always be the same namely, “The home, the primary school and the church exactly in that order.”

“The home is an extraordinary sacred place where we are given the gift of life. The primary school then provides the first experience of relationships and friendships outside of the immediate family, some of which last a whole lifetime. It is where children's minds are opened up to the wonders of the world and there is something very sacred about that.”

“It is where the whole possibility of trusting others, fellow pupils and adults began and is built up.”

He added that a huge ripple effect emerged from all that and over the past 100 years the effect has been enormous.

It was only therefore right, he said, that a school should gather to celebrate this achievement after 100 years.

SIC: CIN