Church leaders are taking legal advice about shared campuses

Cabinet members have decided, after taking legal advice on the matter, that there are no grounds to oppose the controversial proposals.

They insist they are satisfied the plans will not undermine Catholic children's education.

However, church leaders said they will consult lawyers on the decision.

Ministers, who said there is no case for them to intervene in the row, were asked by church leaders in July to take action.

They said Catholic schools may lose their identity under the building plans chosen by councillors.

The points raised in this letter will be examined with a view to seeking detailed legal advice Bishop Joseph Devine

North Lanarkshire Council said it wants to protect a distinct education while offering all young people in the area better facilities, where Catholic children will mix with children from other schools.

But the project to build seven new campuses remains in doubt, as the church suggests it may challenge the refusal of ministers to block the plans.

Joseph Devine, Bishop of Motherwell, referred to a letter from a Scottish Executive official.

"The points raised in this letter will be examined in detail by the diocese of Motherwell and the Catholic Education Service with a view to seeking detailed legal advice on the options available to the Catholic Church," he said.

Pupils are caught in the middle of a bitter row

A spokesman for the executive replied: "Consent from Scottish ministers is not required for the council's proposals. Therefore, it is up to the council on how to proceed."

Deputy council leader Jim Smith insisted: "Now that the statutory process is out of the way, the council hopes to work with the diocese to make sure the new arrangements are a success.

"It's the council's aim to make sure that, far from any deterioration, the new provisions will improve education for school pupils in North Lanarkshire."

He argued: "The council has consistently emphasised that the shared campus proposals would in fact protect and enhance Catholic education whilst also improving educational facilities and opportunities for all of our young people."

Hugh Farmer, Scottish Correspondent for the Catholic newspaper The Universe, said: "They have only one option and that is to preserve the individuality of Catholic education and Catholic schools in that area.

"They will go to court and I would say the court cases could be quite bitter, but they will fight all the way to preserve Catholic schools and that's the bottom line."