Church leaders have adopted new measures to ensure that those teaching religion in Catholic schools will have a good grounding in Catholic theology and belief.

The hierarchy decided at a recent meeting in Maynooth that “any graduate seeking employment as a religion teacher in a Catholic secondary school from 2023 must have a qualification” based on a thorough understanding of magisterial teaching.

It comes after the State body which regulates the teaching profession lowered the level of understanding of Catholicism necessary to be employed to teach religious studies at second level.

According to a document seen by The Irish Catholic and circulated to Catholic school leaders the Bishops are now insisting on new minimum requirements.

These are meant to ensure that an authentically Catholic Faith is taught in the schools and that candidates for employment in such roles will have a solid grounding in the Faith.

Church moves to protect quality of Catholic teaching in schools