Press Release From the Diocese of Waterford & Lismore:
Statement from Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan regarding the ongoing strike by school secretaries and caretakers.
I wish to express my full support for the school secretaries and caretakers across our schools who are seeking better public service pensions and improved conditions of employment. Both of these roles are absolutely essential for the smooth running of every school. They contribute not only through their work but also through the care, dedication, and presence they bring to the whole school community.
It is important that, as a society, we recognise the dignity of the work of every individual. Catholic Social Teaching reminds us of the fundamental principle of the dignity of work and the rights of workers. Work is not merely about completing tasks or earning a wage; it is a participation in God’s creation and an expression of human dignity. Therefore, it is vital that those who serve our schools so faithfully are treated with justice and fairness.
School secretaries are often the first point of contact for families and children, offering a welcoming presence and a listening ear. Caretakers ensure the safety, cleanliness, and proper functioning of the school environment. These contributions, though sometimes unseen, are invaluable. They create the conditions in which teaching and learning can flourish, and they provide support and reassurance to pupils, staff, and parents alike.
The Catholic Church has long upheld the rights of workers to just wages, secure conditions, and adequate pensions. Pope Leo XIII in Rerum Novarum and Pope St John Paul II in Laborem Exercens both highlighted the moral obligation to treat workers with fairness and respect, recognising that behind every role is a person made in the image and likeness of God. Injustice in employment is not only an economic issue but also a moral one, for it touches the very dignity of the human person.
I therefore encourage those in positions of responsibility to hear the just claims of our school secretaries and caretakers. To disregard their contribution would be to undervalue the fabric of school life itself. Fair treatment, security in employment, and proper pensions are not privileges but rights rooted in the common good.
I offer my prayers and support to all those who serve in these roles and to the wider school communities who benefit daily from their quiet dedication. May our society grow in recognising the inherent dignity of all work and all workers, and may justice guide our decisions in these matters.
+ Alphonsus Cullinan
Bishop of Waterford & Lismore
ENDS