Peace In Our Time…?

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ith hopes for mediation talks between St Patrick’s National School’s Board Of Management and the Parents Teachers Assocation having failed to actually happen after weeks of formal requests from the latter, former principal Eileen Jackson has taken a bold step.

By formally offering to withdraw the resignation letter that sparked a national controversy.

For Ms Jackson, the local Church Of Ireland’s move towards exclusivity and away from inclusivity when it came to the school’s admissions policy – only 2 of this year’s 22 new pupils were non-COE – was the final straw, and the fallout from that July resignation has now made it all the way to the Dáil.

It also resulted in an overwhelming vote of no confidence in both the board and its chairman, Canon David Mungavin – votes that have been met largely with increasingly stern letters of denial from the latter over any wrongdoing.

There was also a little altar furniture moving, with Canon Adrienne Galligan drafted in as temporary board chairman. Ms Galligan – a former neighbour of GG’s on Blackberry Lane, no less – is not at all happy with the Guide continuing to cover this national test case.

We’re not the only media to cover this story, of course, as Ireland continues to address taking God out of the classroom, a move reflected in the Admissions To Schools Act 2018. The national media has taken note too, with the likes of The Irish Times and The Sunday Business Post giving over major column inches to the subject. None of which makes the Church Of Ireland’s moves in Greystones appear particularly Christian.  

As you talk to those trying resolve the current Greystones impasse, you can’t help but notice the presence in leader roles of at least two vehemently lapsed Catholics – both with, it seems, both mother and Father issues. Increasingly, anger is proving to be an energy in this cowardly new world.

Still, a little love, peace and understanding can go a long way in any tribal dispute, and Ms Jackson’s offer to withdraw her resignation letter will hopefully lead to at least an honest and heartfelt sit-down between the warring sides. We’ll say a prayer…