100 years of 1918 Education Act celebrated at cathedral service
THE DIOCESE of Argyll and the Isles recently celebrated the centenary of the 1918 Education Act in Scotland which saw Catholic schools funded by the state and open to inspection by Her Majesty’s Inspectors.
Pupils from St Columba’s Primary School, Oban, St Columba’s Primary School, Caol, Lochaber, and others from St Mun’s in Dunoon and St Andrew’s in Rothesay joined school staff, parents, councillors, council representatives and Bishop Brian McGee at the end of last month for a Mass of Thanksgiving in a packed St Columba’s Cathedral, in Oban, to celebrate the centenary of the 1918 Education Act. Parishioners and Scottish Catholic Education Service representatives were also in attendance.
Bishop McGee welcomed everyone and thanked them all for the important role they play in supporting state-funded Catholic schools.
They gathered to celebrate the positive impact this important partnership between church and state has had for the Diocese of Argyll and the Isles and for Scotland.
In his homily, the bishop spoke with the children about the importance of Holy Week and encouraged everyone to gaze upon the recently commissioned Icon of Jesus the Teacher displayed in the cathedral.
The bishop suggested Catholic schools don’t just tell facts about Jesus but actually introduce people to Jesus, helping them to form a relationship with Jesus. He went on to say such faith schools not only develop their pupils academically but help them to bring Christ’s love into the world – and this is why faith schools benefit everyone. Throughout 2018, the Diocese of Argyll and the Isles will rejoice in the academic, cultural, civic and social achievements of pupils who have attended Catholic schools in the last 100 years.