The Catholic Church in Scotland was yesterday facing a deepening split after a bishop was accused of capitulating over plans for shared campuses in schools.
Sources close to the hierarchy of the church are disaffected with the conciliatory stance of Bishop Joseph Devine, the bishop of Motherwell and president of the church's communications commission.
Parishioners in the diocese of Motherwell, which are affected by the proposals, are also opposed to his approach, claiming it would pave the way for openly integrated schools.
A senior church source said the scene was set for a civil war over Catholic education in Scotland. "The last week of January was the deadline which passed with an agreement to 'continue discussions'. North Lanarkshire Council has subsequently prevaricated and delayed and made no changes to the original plans," he said.
"There are seven parishes in the diocese of Motherwell affected, that is seven priests and seven congregations, who are bitterly opposed. If the bishop fails to act by rejecting the council's plans, there will be an explosion of protest from within the diocese."
Earlier this year, the church threatened to withdraw support for a £150m public-private partnership (PPP) scheme to create seven shared campuses in the area, claiming the council had reneged on a deal to provide the schools with separate entrances and staffrooms.
It feared that people would not recognise the schools as separate if there were one large shared campus, with the same entry for both schools.
North Lanarkshire Council, in turn, claimed to be puzzled by the row and pointed to the success of a joint campus in Cumbernauld, with shared entrances and staffrooms.
It was thought the issue had been resolved after Bishop Devine said the council had given an "unequivocal commitment" to Catholic schools.
The source, who is close to leading church figures, said: "The view among many is that the council plans to create shared schools which could quickly and easily be turned into integrated units, so it is not minor changes but significant alterations that are required.
"Or the bishop should remind the council that they administer the schools in the interests of the Catholic Church, accuse them of failing in this regard and walk away.
"This issue is nothing short of a litmus test for the future existence of a Catholic education system. If the church acquiesces in its heartlands, councils across the country will be empowered to push the shared campus agenda wholesale which many, including Jim McCabe, the council leader, are on record as seeing as a mechanism to end sectarianism."
Father Dominic Quinn, of St Kevin's in Bargeddie, one of the areas affected, said: "The bishop recognises that we may not get exactly what we want. He is in negotiating mode and is approaching things with a broader vision. There are fears that the negotiating strategy is being too reasonable and that we have effectively negotiated too far into the centre."
Last night, Bishop Devine said progress was being made in talks. "We will have another meeting soon. We are about four-fifths of the way there.
"It may be that we cannot come to a common decision, but I am confident that we can do something constructive for the future of Catholic education and other educational provision in North Lanarkshire."
Michael McGrath, director of the Catholic education service, said Bishop Devine was anxious to represent the views of parents, as well as protecting Catholic education in each of the developments.
"He is effectively trying to square the circle and it is not easy to find a solution."
Mr McCabe, North Lanarkshire Council leader, said: "The discussion about the plans are ongoing. We are working with the archdiocese over the issue."
THE Catholic Church in Scotland was yesterday facing a deepening split after a bishop was accused of capitulating over plans for shared campuses in schools.
Sources close to the hierarchy of the church are disaffected with the conciliatory stance of Bishop Joseph Devine, the bishop of Motherwell and president of the church's communications commission.
Parishioners in the diocese of Motherwell, which are affected by the proposals, are also opposed to his approach, claiming it would pave the way for openly integrated schools.
A senior church source said the scene was set for a civil war over Catholic education in Scotland. "The last week of January was the deadline which passed with an agreement to 'continue discussions'. North Lanarkshire Council has subsequently prevaricated and delayed and made no changes to the original plans," he said.
"There are seven parishes in the diocese of Motherwell affected, that is seven priests and seven congregations, who are bitterly opposed. If the bishop fails to act by rejecting the council's plans, there will be an explosion of protest from within the diocese."
Earlier this year, the church threatened to withdraw support for a £150m public-private partnership (PPP) scheme to create seven shared campuses in the area, claiming the council had reneged on a deal to provide the schools with separate entrances and staffrooms.
It feared that people would not recognise the schools as separate if there were one large shared campus, with the same entry for both schools.
North Lanarkshire Council, in turn, claimed to be puzzled by the row and pointed to the success of a joint campus in Cumbernauld, with shared entrances and staffrooms.
It was thought the issue had been resolved after Bishop Devine said the council had given an "unequivocal commitment" to Catholic schools.
The source, who is close to leading church figures, said: "The view among many is that the council plans to create shared schools which could quickly and easily be turned into integrated units, so it is not minor changes but significant alterations that are required.
"Or the bishop should remind the council that they administer the schools in the interests of the Catholic Church, accuse them of failing in this regard and walk away.
"This issue is nothing short of a litmus test for the future existence of a Catholic education system. If the church acquiesces in its heartlands, councils across the country will be empowered to push the shared campus agenda wholesale which many, including Jim McCabe, the council leader, are on record as seeing as a mechanism to end sectarianism."
Father Dominic Quinn, of St Kevin's in Bargeddie, one of the areas affected, said: "The bishop recognises that we may not get exactly what we want. He is in negotiating mode and is approaching things with a broader vision. There are fears that the negotiating strategy is being too reasonable and that we have effectively negotiated too far into the centre."
Last night, Bishop Devine said progress was being made in talks. "We will have another meeting soon. We are about four-fifths of the way there.
"It may be that we cannot come to a common decision, but I am confident that we can do something constructive for the future of Catholic education and other educational provision in North Lanarkshire."
Michael McGrath, director of the Catholic education service, said Bishop Devine was anxious to represent the views of parents, as well as protecting Catholic education in each of the developments.
"He is effectively trying to square the circle and it is not easy to find a solution."
Mr McCabe, North Lanarkshire Council leader, said: "The discussion about the plans are ongoing. We are working with the archdiocese over the issue."