Monday, April 15, 2024

Dublin school to be divested from Catholic diocese

St Mary's Primary School on Dorset Street is to be divested from the Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin from Monday.

It follows a pilot consultation process regarding the patronage of primary schools in March 2022.

Twenty-nine schools in Dublin Diocese participated in the consultation process by independent facilitators appointed by Minister for Education Norma Foley.

The school in Berkeley Road Parish was one of those involved.

Archbishop of Dublin Dermot Farrell said that following the consultation process, he accepted the recommendation that St Mary’s School be divested to Minister Foley as and from 15 April 2024.

He thanked the parents, principal, teachers, staff and Board of Management of St Mary’s School for participating in the process.

"Ms Eadaoin Kelly, Principal, and the teachers and staff of St Mary’s School are very dedicated to the education and pastoral care of the pupils. I wish them blessings as they begin a new chapter in their service of the pupils, the parents and guardians of the school," he said.

Archbishop Farrell also took the opportunity to acknowledge the service of the Christian Brothers and Religious Sisters of Charity in educating generations of pupils.

He added that Minister Foley, the officials of the Department of Education and the independent facilitator had been very supportive of the school community and the parish in the process.