Once, this kind of suggestion would have been laughable, or just plain silly.

But no more.

From London:

A document issued by the Catholic Education Service said facilities for other faiths should be made available in all primary and secondary schools if possible.

Catholic schools in England and Wales should also consider adapting toilet facilities to accommodate ritual cleansing, the document said.

The guidance also said “respectful understanding” should be shown to pupils of other faiths who are withdrawn from or remain silent during Christian worship.

The advice – issued on behalf of the Catholic bishops of England and Wales – comes in response to new rules forcing all state schools to promote “community cohesion”.

Schools must foster race relations and religious tolerance to stop communities becoming divided.

It followed a warning from the Commission for Racial Equality that Britain’s segregated schools are “a ticking time bomb waiting to explode”.

In a document, the Catholic Church said around 30 per cent of pupils in Catholic schools were from other faiths or none.

The Most Rev Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Birmingham, and chairman of the Church’s education board, said: “Dialogue with other faiths is a consistent theme in the life of the Catholic Church. Such dialogue is conducted in many parishes and neighbourhoods, in colleges, universities and other academic circles.

“It has become increasingly important as the presence of other faith communities grows and becomes more evident in our society.”

The guidance said schools should consider putting aside a prayer room “if reasonably practicable” for use by staff and pupils from other faiths.

There’s more detail at the link.