Respect for all made in the image and likeness of God is a key characteristic of any Catholic school, according to the Bishop of Meath, Tom Deenihan.

Speaking at the launch of Catholic schools week, he paid tribute to the teachers working in schools, mentioning in particular Ashling Murphy who was tragically killed two weeks ago.

Speaking in Mullingar, the Meath prelate said a Catholic school must be about people as they are in the here and now with all students treated equally, “and if it were to be biased at all, would be biased in favour of the weak”.

“That is why Catholic schools are inclusive.  Inclusion is not just about religious denomination. Inclusion must also take nationality, ethnicity, socio-economic background and ability into consideration.  When these five criteria are taken into consideration, I would challenge anyone to tell me that Catholic schools are not as inclusive as any other type of school.”

“A good education, a Catholic education, is not a preparation for capitalism or a narrow narcissistic and selfish view of life but rather one of compassion, service, respect and using ones talents and opportunities.”, he said.