Bishop counter-attacks over secular protests

The Rt Rev Malcolm McMahon, chairman of the Catholic Education Service for England and Wales, did not understand why "small" but "very noisy" groups such as the National Secular Society thought Catholic schools were a problem.

These groups got more publicity than their numbers deserved, he said. "When you ask parents, they want their children to go to faith schools, that is why we are well supported."

He said the Catholic sector made an enormous contribution to society. "Therefore my conclusion is .. that it is a very good way of spending taxpayers' money."

Bishop McMahon, Bishop of Nottingham, was speaking as he released two reports on the performance of Catholic schools in England and Wales.

Ofsted inspectors judged nearly three quarters of Catholic secondary schools to be outstanding or good.