The church wants to ensure a positive image

Michael McGrath, 50, a headteacher in Cumbernauld, will be the church's new director of education.

The move to recruit a "tsar" to promote Catholic education came after negative publicity associated with politicians' attempts to combat sectarianism in Scotland.

Some commentators have argued that separate schooling for Catholic children contributes to the problem, a charge strongly denied by the church.

No doubt, various challenges lie ahead in future discussions at a national level with politicians and officials on matters relating to Catholic education in Scotland Michael McGrath

In February, BBC Scotland revealed that the Catholic Church had decided to appoint an education director to target that negative perception.

At that time, Mr McGrath, chairman of the Catholic Education Commission, said it was time to put forward the "positive case for Catholic education".

Church officials have now announced that Mr McGrath, who is headteacher at Our Lady's High School, in Cumbernauld, will take up the post.

Mr McGrath will be responsible for the development of the religious curriculum in schools, negotiating directly with the Scottish Executive and stressing the benefits of Catholic schools.

'Good working relationships'

Mr McGrath said: "My first task as director will be to establish the Scottish Catholic Education Service as a support service for teachers and schools.

"No doubt, various challenges lie ahead in future discussions at a national level with politicians and officials on matters relating to Catholic education in Scotland.

"I am very keen to establish good working relationships with all the major stakeholders in Scottish education."

Earlier this year, about a quarter of a million leaflets laying out the benefits of Catholic schools were distributed at churches throughout Scotland.