Bishop Denis Nulty has said Catholic education is “critical” and schools which remain under the Church’s patronage must be “unapologetically Catholic”.

A just completed, major survey of parents shows most school communities would remain Catholic, while a minority, clustered mainly around middle-class urban centers, would switch to a non-denominational ethos.

Catholic leaders support the divestment of schools where parents desire it, but want the remaining schools to wholeheartedly embrace their faith-based identity.

Speaking to The Irish Catholic about the primary school survey process, Bishop Nulty said some people “may consider whether they want to continue our patronage after the survey when the results come out and they’re disseminated and looked at and evaluated”.

“But I don’t see huge change. I don’t see demand for huge change at all. I think people are quite happy.”

However, Bishop Nulty said Catholic schools must ensure their identity is genuine and lived in practice. “The important thing is to make sure our schools are Catholic and live the faith and are not just tokens,” he said.

Asked how Catholic ethos can be maintained, he said prayer should be part of daily school life, and that teachers and staff should “feel supported in their faith”.