"John Downie of SCVO blames Catholic School's for Sectarianism"

[Joe O'Rourke]

[URL:ef2f52cc]http://www.europeanexaminer.eu/[/URL:ef2f52cc]

The Celtic Supporters Association is non sectarian and non political in general terms; but there are times when you have stand up for your community; and one of those times is now. We cannot have people like John Downie making sweeping comments about Catholic Education; and thinking it's alright; he is in a position of authority in a very important organisation; I for one don't believe he can continue in that role. Read the article below and make your own mind up.

Calling for apologies or resignations, Scottish Catholic public and
political leaders have hit out at the Scottish Council for Voluntary
Organisations, SCVO, for hosting an anti-Catholic school opinion piece by
one of its head Directors.

John Downie, has been exposed as publishing a blog, on the official SCVO
website, attacking the existence of Catholic schools as the cause of
sectarianism, saying in June 2011: "In my opinion one key causes of
sectarianism is Scotland continuing to have separate denominational and
non-denominational schools."

The SCVO is an umbrella national organisation which represents charities and
other third sector - non private and public ­ bodies, including SCIAF, the
Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund.

However, a number of prominent public leaders have voiced serious concerns
following the exposure of Mr Downie's views.

Labour Member of the Scottish Parliament, Michael McMahon, differentiated
between Mr Downie expressing such views in a personal capacity on a private
blog, compared to the use of the SCVO website.

Uddingston and Bellshill MSP McMahon, said: "It is clear that the SCVO
representatives have broken their commitment to the diversity and equality
agenda. Scotland officially accommodates diversity in comprehensive
education and equality in access to comprehensive education. However, the
SCVO's John Downie and his narrow-minded words are troubling on a number of
levels."

Prominent Catholic McMahon added: "Firstly, he has an official public role
and therefore should know he cannot speak on such important issues as an
individual. He has either been foolish or calculating. The choice is between
bad and worse.

"Secondly, Mr Downie used the official SCVO website for his expressing his
ignorant views. This is not within the remit of the SCVO.

"Thirdly, Martin Sime, the head of SCVO, has tried to dismiss Mr Downie's
comments as attempting to generate public discussion. Would Mr Sime respond
in the same manner were an employee express BNP-like Islamophobia or racism?

"It gives me no pleasure to call on John Downie's public apology, and if not
then his resignation. I also expect to hear Mr Sime's apology, and if not
then resignation, for defending such discriminatory discourse."

However, Mr Downie, Director of Public Affairs, defended himself, replying:
"Eight months ago I wrote a blog on the issues surrounding the sectarian
Bill being debated in the Scottish Parliament. In it I expressed my personal
view that in the fight to eradicate sectarianism we should not continue to
have separate denominational and non-denominational schools in Scotland.
These comments were not an attack on either the Catholic Church or the
Catholic education system.

"I wouldn¹t as my wife was brought up within

both of them. It's a complicated issue but we have a responsibility to
debate this, and in a democratic country I can have a different opinion. So
I do find it ridiculous that a politician who disagrees with people from
other political parties on a daily basis, as part and parcel of his job,
Michael McMahon would call for anyone to apologise or resign for simply
disagreeing with him.

Mr Downie concluded: "I would encourage your readers to read my blog post in
full and make up their own minds about what I said rather than taking heed
of the contrived and misleading media reports that have appeared over the
last day or so."

However, John Deighan, the Parliamentary Officer for the Catholic Church in
Scotland, joined the fray by reminding the SCVO that in 2006 Bashir Maan, a
prominent Muslim leader in Scotland, and the then SCVO Chair, was forced to
resign after expressing views of opposition to sex education and the
inclusion of homosexuality.

Political expert Deighan stated: "I am worried about threats to freedom of
speech in our society but what I find objectionable is the double-standards
employed by those who are happy to have freedom of speech support their
attacks on religious institutions but have no tolerance of those who object
to the politically correct issues of the day.

"SCVO made Bashir Mann resign from their organsiation because he disagreed
with homosexuality being promoted in schools. Where was their commitment to
debate at that time?

"Now they want to give airtime to the view that Catholic schools cause
sectarianism and claim it is part of a willingness to encourage debate. Let
us at least have some consistency and intellectual coherence."

However Martin Sime, Chief Executive of SCVO, responded by saying: "The
circumstances of Bashir Maan's resignation from his honorary position in
SCVO are not at all analogous to the issues raised in relation to the blog
about the value of denominational education.

"Mr Maan was invited to resign by the Management Board of SCVO, the elected
body which is responsible for all aspects of what SCVO does. I expect that
the Board will review all aspects of this turn of events at its next routine
meeting."

Also expressing concern about the SCVO, Labour¹s Margaret Curran MP, Shadow
Secretary of State for Scotland, who said:

"I am concerned about the SCVO's position and fundamentally disagree with
John Downie's view that Catholic schools cause sectarianism. There is no
evidence that Catholic schools encourage sectarianism and they have, over a
number of years, demonstrated their commitment to tackling this issue.

"If Mr Downie took the time to visit the Catholic schools in my own
constituency, I can promise that his view would be a little more informed
about the standard of education and community spirit which is an inspiration
to all.

"In Scottish society we accept and are comfortable that people have
different views and welcome debate. Yet discriminatory language about
catholic schools is simply unacceptable.

"Mr Downie has expressed a personal view through the channels of the
organisation to which he is associated. The SCVO should apologise for this
and take the appropriate action to disassociate themselves with these
comments."

Also expressing opposition was SNP governmental Minister, and party
political heavy weight, Roseanna Cunningham.

The former MP, now MSP for Perthshire and Kinrosshire, said: "Diversity in
Scottish education is a great source of this country's strength and
richness. Faith-based education has made a vital contribution to Scottish
society and the right of parents to make that choice for their children
remains an important part of our school system."

[Guest]

does this man look the other way when the orange order turn this country upside down during their marching season ,spitting poison at a section of scottish society ?. please dont get me started about that other exclusively protesant group, the masonic lodge.

[Guest]

Whoosh

[martiBhoy111]

The deluded washed up ex-hack/extremist ran*ers blogger is another one who jumps on the schools bandwagon. I noticed he's having another pop at you today Joe about your message re: Tynecastle. Telling lies and stirring up his hate as usual!

I think this nut may be bordering on breaking the law in terms of the new threatening communications act. All he ever does it write half baked inflammatory articles, whilst trying to incite trouble and rouse his fellow extremists.

If Schools are the problem then why is there no sectarian problems reported in all the other countries throughout the world who have catholic schools?



It was no surprise to me when the alleged victims in the alleged case involving a football manager, politician and QC two of the alleged victims were regularly named on his blog in a defamatory manner. I hope the prosecution in this case take note!

[Guest]

AS archbihop thomas winning, once said let there be mixed schools ,soon as a catholic can become prime minister ,or marry into the so called royal. family

[Guest]

The deluded washed up ex-hack/extremist ran*ers blogger is another one who jumps on the schools bandwagon. I noticed he's having another pop at you today Joe about your message re: Tynecastle. Telling lies and stirring up his hate as usual!

I think this nut may be bordering on breaking the law in terms of the new threatening communications act. All he ever does it write half baked inflammatory articles, whilst trying to incite trouble and rouse his fellow extremists.

If Schools are the problem then why is there no sectarian problems reported in all the other countries throughout the world who have catholic schools?



It was no surprise to me when the alleged victims in the alleged case involving a football manager, politician and QC two of the alleged victims were regularly named on his blog in a defamatory manner. I hope the prosecution in this case take note!

erm maybe because other countries have mostly a catholic population DOH !!!

[Guest]

John Downie may have a valid point and is entitled to his opinion. This has nothing to do with Celtic FC.

[Guest]

I agree but Why is this on a football website ?

[Guest]

I'm Welsh and Protestant but a keen Celtic fan.
Like many Celtic fans I come from a working class community that is very proud of it's cultural herritage .I'm a firm believer in honest open debate, but John Downie's remarks seem to have been made to gain a political advantage rather than an attempt to open a dialogue. Celtic fans are bigger than this :his remarks deserve contempt but please don;t give him free publicity by over reacting