The official opening of Scotland’s first mixed-faith campus for children at secondary school yesterday was marred by a diplomatic incident over the absence of any input to the ceremony from one of the most senior international figures in the Catholic Church.
Cardinal Keith O’Brien was at the opening ceremony of the £33 million scheme in Dalkeith, in Midlothian, but was not invited by the local authority to make a formal speech.
After Jack McConnell, the First Minister, officially opened the campus, the cardinal said he was "saddened" by Midlothian Council’s decision not to include a prayer or blessing in the ceremony.
Cardinal O’Brien, a former secondary school teacher and the Church’s most prominent cleric in Scotland, said: "Such an opportunity would have allowed all involved in the shared campus arrangement to unite in praying for the success of an endeavour so important to us all."
He went on to say that Catholic schools should not feel compelled to dilute their own identity, echoing anger expressed by elements of the Church.
The campus, which unites St David’s RC High, Dalkeith High and Saltersgate school for children with special needs in a single school, has had difficulties with sectarian tensions amid criticisms of unnecessary segregation and trouble between different religious groupings.
In his speech, the First Minister sought to allay concerns that shared campuses will lead to full integration: "Scotland’s Catholic schools have an excellent record of educational achievement and they should continue to receive government support as long as parents want that choice to be there," he said. "Shared campuses are one way to secure the future of both traditions and they should be see in that context.
"This campus is not about eroding differences; it is about celebrating difference and working together to get the best results for every pupil."
Mr McConnell called on adults to back closer relationships between pupils with disabilities and of different religions, whether they share a campus or not. He said: "Councillors, officials, teachers and parents must help future generations to develop the values that will help create a more civilised Scotland. A modern country, celebrating diversity, where old attitudes have been dumped in the dustbin of history."
Adam Montgomery, the leader of Midlothian Council, said the local authority was fully behind the project. "We have 18 councillors in Midlothian and we are 18 solid in making this work. We will not go back to segregation," he said.