Archbishop urges against prayer ban

BETHANY HIATT EDUCATION EDITOR, The West Australian Updated August 9, 2011, 2:25 am

The West Australian © Archbishop urges against prayer ban

Perth Catholic Archbishop Barry Hickey believes children should be allowed to recite the Lord's Prayer in State schools because it is a part of Australian culture.

Edgewater Primary School last week suspended recital of the Lord's Prayer at assemblies after some parents said it contravened the Education Act. The Act says schools should not promote one religious belief over others.

"I see no reason why State schools should ban it," Archbishop Hickey said. "I think that if the majority of the children affirm some sort of Christian affiliation, then it's perfectly legitimate to have that prayer said in government schools."

Archbishop Hickey said Australia had a long Christian tradition.

"Most of the people still subscribe to Christian faith and if that's the situation, then it's part of the culture and I don't think that schools should ignore that part of the culture," he said.

Students with no belief could remain silent during the prayer.

Edgewater principal Julie Tombs said yesterday a group of parents had protested at the school's 25-year prayer tradition.

"The concerns of parents who objected to the practice centre on the children's rights to a secular education which is devoid of religious prayer," she said.

"The people who are objecting have no religious belief. They believe they have a right to send their child to a public school which is truly secular." The school had sought clarification from the Education Department and hoped to resolve the issue before the next assembly in two weeks.

Most Edgewater parents who responded to a school survey said the practice should continue.

Other schools have also sought advice on whether students should pray in schools.

Sorrento Primary School principal Rob Birtles said it discarded the words "dear God" and "amen" at the beginning and end of a school creed recited at assemblies after a parent complained in 2009. He said the district office had advised that the words were inappropriate in a government school.

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Bob About09:09am Tuesday 09th August 2011 WSTReport Abuse
then the catholic church should fund the school and not the government. the government isnt here to reinforce the perpetuation of a specific religious philosophy. the seperation of religion and state is one of the most important factors in the sucess of western type democratic governments.
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Perhaps12:11pm Tuesday 09th August 2011 WSTReport Abuse
I have read the responses to Saturdays article in detail and I'm not suprised at the level of backlash, inaccuracy and racist remarks given. I am very proud to say that I am a free-thinking non-believer in any God/Gods and I was born and raised in Australia. My parents and grandparents were raised in Australia also, so to assume that it is overseas immigrants that are trying to change Australian culture is ridiculous. Only 36% of the school parent population even responded to the survey, which leaves a large amount of people who obviously don't care either way and about 25% of the total school population who want to retain it. Noone has said that individual families can't share a prayer at home or at church but if I want to send my child to a public school to avoid religious imposition I should have every right to, given I am also an Australian citizen. If I can't be given the rights as a parent to avoid such imposition at a public school - where can I go? Anyone who has faith has the option of private school, Sunday school or home. Lastly, this shouldn't be a voting issue - it's unnacceptable according to the Act. The Lords prayer is an imposition of a specific faith and Christianity does not have copyright to certain values, we can learn those without religion. I am a very nice, sensitive, giving and hard working individual and I am all that without having to recite the Lords Prayer. I only ask that the same level respect be given to everyone, not just Christians.
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Bill B12:57pm Tuesday 09th August 2011 WSTReport Abuse
To be truly inclusive they sould recite the Torah and Koran as well.
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Adsfsadf Dsdff04:39pm Tuesday 09th August 2011 WSTReport Abuse
I'd bve very interested to know how the principal knows that "the people who are objecting have no religious belief"? I think this just demonstrates her narrow-mindedness that if it is not the Christian belief, then it is not a 'proper' religious belief. Wake up and smell 2011 Australia!
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Biggles05:24pm Tuesday 09th August 2011 WSTReport Abuse
Australia is a nation based on Christian beliefs and as such we should not stop or change our way of doing things because some parents feel put out.
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