The church is worried the plan will affect the identity of Catholic schools

Discussions with North Lanarkshire Council have been ongoing for the last 18 months.

But the Right Rev Joseph Devine, Bishop of Motherwell, said the church could not go ahead because of concerns the schools would lose their identity.

Council Leader Jim McCabe said he was "bemused and disappointed".

Bishop Devine said he had concluded that the council was not prepared to meet the needs of the Catholic community and guarantee the satisfactory provision of Catholic education.

The church has expressed strong opposition to having too many shared facilities and common entrances.

Separate schools are an anachronism in this day and age. Beecher, Glasgow Your views on whether Catholic schools should share campuses

The bishop said: "From the outset of discussions, I expressed my deepest reservations about the council's intention to replace St Aloysius, a school of over 300 pupils, with a new building in which significant facilities would be shared with the non-denominational school."

He added: "It has now become clear that North Lanarkshire Council is not prepared to make the design changes which the diocese has sought.

"Accordingly, I have informed the council that it is pursuing a flawed policy in its determination to promote shared campus provision on this basis in these communities."

Michael McGrath, director of the Scottish Catholic Education Service, said: "When the council eventually provided the building plans, it was clear that the council was determined to maximise the provision of shared facilities."

An executive spokesman said: "The First Minister has received the letter from Bishop Joseph Devine and will reply in due course.

"The Catholic Church has asked the executive, under Section 22D of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980, to satisfy itself that North Lanarkshire's proposals for joint campuses do not represent a "significant deterioration" in the position of denominational schools and provide suitable arrangements for religious instruction of the pupils affected by the proposals.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS AFFECTED St Aloysius, Chapelhall St Ignatius, Wishaw St Mary's, Caldercruix St David's, Plains St Kevin's, Bargeddie Our Lady and St Joseph, Glenboig St Patrick's, New Stevenston

"We will therefore liaise further with North Lanarkshire Council.

Council Leader Jim McCabe said: "I am surprised and disappointed at the Bishop's announcement.

"Following my last meeting with Bishop Devine and his representatives, which was very constructive, there were real signs of a positive outcome to our discussions.

"I now find myself bemused and disappointed. However, if the Bishop wishes to discuss this matter with me further, I will make myself available."