In an article in today's Journal, issued from the diocesan office, Fr Paul Farren says it is not acceptable to continue with a system which is unjust and discriminates against many children and families.

And he suggests that the Church is clear that Bishops should act if a school tries to continue with this type of selection - "Where difficulties and conflicts arise about the authentic Christian character of the Catholic School, hierarchical authority can and must intervene."

The Bishop of Derry, Seamus Hegarty, who is a senior trustee for Catholic schools in Derry, has already criticised plans announced by Lumen Christi to introduce its own entrance exam after the 11-plus is scrapped next year. However the principal Pat O'Doherty has said the school is determined to go ahead.

Fr Farren, writing as director of religous education at the Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre, suggests it's time to 'repent' for the damage already done by academic selection rather than to try and continue it.

He adds that this is a "unique moment for change".

Division

"In truth, we need to repent for the division we have caused in the Catholic family through education in the past.

"The greatest evidence of our repentance will be our commitment to transform education for all our children."

He suggests the Bishops have already pointed out that academic selection in practice favoured the well-off in many cases.

"There should not be a school in one area of a town with only 6.1% of pupils on free school meals while a couple of miles away another school has 62.3% of pupils on free schools meals.

"We cannot change the past, but we have a duty and responsibility to ensure that it doesn't continue into the future."

He says those who are academically gifted will still get the chance to flourish in schools of children of all abilities and talents.

It's a time for everyone to work together to ensure that young people aren't just educated to pass exams but to make a real and positive difference.

See Fr Farren's article on page 13.