Rule 68

Today I have been very excited about this.

The rule of religion in Irish schools is slowly getting less and I am feeling hopeful.
Mr. Buttons is catholic, in as much as a boy his age can be considered to be, thanks to his mother. When we asked him, did he want to go ahead with his communion, he asked: "Can I still have the money if I don't?" When the answer was "no", off to mass he went. You've probably heard the term 'social Catholic', but our little darling needs a whole new term coined for him. A new generation 'Crafty Catholic', maybe?

Hubby is a former altar boy turned atheist turned agnostic.

My mother-in-law is all about the relics and straw from the crib at Christmas.

My dad believes in the Bible and God, but in his own quiet, live and let live kind of a way.

I have no religion, but have a passionate interest in all of them. My idea of a good time is listening to a representative of any religion talk about their views for hours on end. I was signed up to protestant type of Christianity at birth, but officially denounced my faith as soon as legally possible.

So, when The Captain arrived, it was clear to us that she would not be baptized into any faith. Instead, we had a naming ceremony, complete with oddparents, candles being lit, and her good, solid hippy name being revealed to the family who had gathered round. I planned it, catered it and did a better job than any stranger ever could have.

The only problem with this is, that because The Captain has a memory book instead of baptism certificate, she might not get a school place. Not only that, but anyone whose parents believe in a God of any sort in any way, will have a better chance of getting an education. This understandably upsets me. I find the fact that this is something I need to worry about when my daughter is only 18 months old simply ridiculous.

Not that long ago I read an article, where Archbishop Diarmuid Martin was complaining that parents were getting their children baptized only to gain access to schools. This did not make me warm to him, when for months I've had people asking me if I was baptizing Captain to get her a school place (No!) and was I concerned she might not get in (the answer is "yes, of course!").

This is why, for me, Rule 68 going away is good news.
It gives me hope that things are finally changing and my daughter and other little ones like her will have an equal access to education, regardless of their religion.