The bishops' conference of England and Wales issued a stout defence of Catholic education in their guidance to voters ahead of May’s general election.
In a four-page letter released today, they drew attention to the number of children educated in Catholic schools – over 845,000 children in England and Wales. They noted that these schools “are generally more ethnically diverse than many other schools”.
“They make a positive contribution to society as they help pupils to become good citizens with clear moral principles,” they added.
They said schools’ success should not be “narrowly based on league tables but on how the full potential of every child is developed”.
They also voiced concern that Catholic parents must be able to send their children to a Catholic school. “Future government policy should ensure that the poorest have access to high quality education and that Catholic parents have true choice for educating their children in Catholic schools.”
However the bishops urged Catholics not to decide who they will vote for based on one single issue, but on a range of criteria concerned with the value of human life and human flourishing. They highlighted issues such as the family, immigration and healthcare.
They called for a commitment to support the family to be at the heart of social and political life, adding: “Today, families are more diverse and fragile than they were and there are many families of all kinds where love and commitment are found.”
They stressed: “Society needs good and strong families which are dedicated to the well-being of their children.”
Turning to immigration, which bishops said was “a highly emotive issue”, they warned against “blaming immigrants for the ills of society” and said every country needs a policy to control immigration, as well as policies that facilitate the integration of migrants into society.”
“We urge better support for carers and more high quality palliative care and a robust National Health Service on which we can all rely,” they wrote.
Last week the Church of England’s House of Bishops published its first ever pre-election statement, a 52-page pastoral letter, and in it criticised Britain’s “moribund” political culture.
Read the bishops' election guidance here.
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