Christian Brothers order retreats from frontline education (Ireland)
An epoch in Irish education and society is coming to an end: the Christian Brothers, who over 200 years built the most formidable of reputations, are ending their day-to-day involvement in running schools.
No one disputes that the Brothers have made their mark in education but similarly no one disputes that some of them left marks – physical and psychological – on many of the boys who passed through their hands.
Their reputation for propelling promising pupils into successful careers – they have provided most of Ireland's prime ministers – stands alongside another for thumping, kicking and strapping those in their charge. They are also credited with infusing teenagers with patriotic fervour, turning out nationalist political leaders and rebel figures, from Eamon de Valera to Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness.
Some controversially contend, in fact, that the Brothers' ready resort to violence in schools set many republicans on a violent course later in life. This may be fanciful, but certainly a case can be made that in various ways the Brothers have played a part in shaping modern Ireland.
The Brothers are retreating from frontline education not because of any wave of disapproval of their behaviour but because, like other Catholic orders, their numbers have dwindled as the standing of the Irish church has gone into decline.
Read entire article at http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
No one disputes that the Brothers have made their mark in education but similarly no one disputes that some of them left marks – physical and psychological – on many of the boys who passed through their hands.
Their reputation for propelling promising pupils into successful careers – they have provided most of Ireland's prime ministers – stands alongside another for thumping, kicking and strapping those in their charge. They are also credited with infusing teenagers with patriotic fervour, turning out nationalist political leaders and rebel figures, from Eamon de Valera to Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness.
Some controversially contend, in fact, that the Brothers' ready resort to violence in schools set many republicans on a violent course later in life. This may be fanciful, but certainly a case can be made that in various ways the Brothers have played a part in shaping modern Ireland.
The Brothers are retreating from frontline education not because of any wave of disapproval of their behaviour but because, like other Catholic orders, their numbers have dwindled as the standing of the Irish church has gone into decline.