Cardinal to claim media biased against Catholic education

Published on Wednesday 30 April 2008 22:20

THE leader of Scotland's Roman Catholics is expected to express "disappointment" at the lack of positive media coverage given to Catholic schools in Scotland.

Speaking at the Catholic Headteachers' Association of Scotland conference today in Crieff, Cardinal Keith O'Brien will praise the dedication and commitment of Catholic teachers.

But he will claim there is a "determined and blatant bias" against Catholic education in the Scottish media.

He will also call on the leaders of Scotland's political parties to follow Alex Salmond's lead by celebrating rather than tolerating Catholic education.

In a strongly-worded call he will say: "I challenge them – quite simply – to tell the truth about Catholic schools in Scotland: to acknowledge their considerable contribution to Scotland's welfare, to recognise their distinctive provision, to praise their achievements and to pledge their support."

He will also say the time for grudging acceptance and outright hostility toward Catholic schools is in the past.