No Catholic Schooling Sinful..An Update

[whatevergirl]

This reminds me of another thread along these lines recently…I think that one should decide where his/her tax dollars go, as it relates to school funding. If that were the case–you’d see more parents sending their kids to private/Catholic schools by far. I think that would make things easier, not that everything is easy in life worth doing. But, financially–in Florida–it’s a high high cost to send one’s kids to Catholic high school for example…really high. Just a thought…

 

[whatevergirl]

Not to take this farther down a rabbit trail… but, there is a three word answer. Lack of Nuns.

aaaahhhh…I hadn’t thought of that. Good point!

 

[PaulinVA]

I don’t get how things have changed so drastically financially, when it comes to Catholic school funding??

We decided to follow Humanae Vitae, where it was said that the greatest gift you could give a child is a sibling. So, we had one more child and sent our kids to public school.

I read the report from 2005, and I just don’t think Catholic schools are what they used to be.

The Bishops basically said, at one point, that the entire Church, parents and non parents, should financially support Catholic education. I just don’t know…

 

[dundas]

It is clear to me that you must provide a Catholic education for your children. It is a moral obligation to do so. The other threads covering this topic have links to Church documents outlining this very point. Yes, it is a rule of the Church.

It is up to you as a parent as to the means to provide that Catholic education.

Can your child receive a Catholic education at your local public school? It is possible if the education develops the intellect and supports Catholic moral principles.

**Does your local school support contraception, gay marriage, divorce and remarriage, social justice, pro-life principles? If so, then you cannot send your child to this school. **

It is definitely possible to use a public school for academic subjects and do the catechism and faith formation at home. But, if your school teaches things opposing the Faith, then you must withdraw your child and use the parish school or homeschool.

If you can’t afford tuition and the school won’t provide assistance, then it would qualify as a just reason to continue with public school.

What is a Catholic education? It seems to me that is the key question.

I am aware of the references to faith formation. I am not aware of any document that refers to catholic schools, are you? I agree that part of the issue is the definition of Catholic faith formation/education.

 

[PaulinVA]

**Does your local school support contraception, gay marriage, divorce and remarriage, social justice, pro-life principles? If so, then you cannot send your child to this school. **

I KNOW you don’t mean this. Social justice and pro-life principles are bad?

But, to your point, we all make our decisions. The question is one of whether there is an objective standard that we HAVE to send our children to the local Catholic school.

I don’t see that anywhere.

 

[Lovemyfaith]

**Does your local school support contraception, gay marriage, divorce and remarriage, social justice, pro-life principles? If so, then you cannot send your child to this school. **

I would think avoiding educating your children in such an environment would be avoiding the near occasion of sin. The local public high school in my area, for example, is participating in the Day of Silence campaign.
As for your obligation to educate your child in the Faith, the CCD teachers at my parish are not required to hold any religious certification. They are moms and dads who are kind enough to volunteer 1 hour and 15 minutes a week (when class in not cancelled) to teach CCD. Teachers in the parish school must have religious certification.

 

[leonie]

I KNOW you don’t mean this. Social justice and pro-life principles are bad?

But, to your point, we all make our decisions. The question is one of whether there is an objective standard that we HAVE to send our children to the local Catholic school.

I don’t see that anywhere.

yep, you caught me. I should have said anti-life and anti-social justice.

sometimes, I just type faster than my thoughts.

 

[PaulinVA]

yep, you caught me. I should have said anti-life and anti-social justice.

sometimes, I just type faster than my thoughts.

See, your fingers have muscle-memory to type 'pro-life". That can’t be bad!

 

[eliza3b]

I think the OP has an obligation to send a letter or email to her Bishop and get clarification in this. As far as I understand, the Catholic Church in her wisdom has deemed parents the primary educators of their children, not some institution. Parents have the FREEDOM to choose what type of institution to send their children, whether it be public, private, parochial or homeschooled. There is absolutely no obligation to send your child to a Catholic school.

A very enlightening book on this topic is Steven Kellmeyer’s Designed to Fail: Catholic Education in America.

 

[leonie]

I am aware of the references to faith formation. I am not aware of any document that refers to catholic schools, are you? I agree that part of the issue is the definition of Catholic faith formation/education.

No, all the documents say Catholic Education, not Catholic school.

Your priest believes that a Catholic education cannot happen in the current public schools. So, the question is: is that correct?

There are many priests and Catholic laypeople who hold that view. Secular culture has become so anti-Christian. In fact, I heard a Legionary priest say once that our work as Catholic Americans is to reChristianize America.

I think what you have to do is some detective work–looking at all the texts your public school uses. Research their extra academic programs–whatever “bully” or sex ed or drug programs that are being presented. Talk to your child’s teachers and ask them how they would answer if any of the moral topics came up.

But, you will still have to supplement religious ed at home. And, I personally wouldn’t count on CCD to do my child’s religious ed. I went through 11 years of CCD and had virtually no relious ed.

And, you are still going to have to form them in moral principles.

To summarize, the correct teaching is:

1. Every parent is to provide a Catholic education.
2. Every parent has the right and duty to determine how the education is to obtained.

Ca public school provide a Catholic education?

No, not without supplementation. But, can you use a public school for academics and supplement the missing element at home? Yes.

Will it be harder to provide a Catholic education? Of course, it will because they spend 6-8 hours a day 180 days a year in a school environment when God is not at all in the discussion. So, you will have to be very diligent.

If a public school is teaching values completely opposing Catholic truth, I think it would be impossible to counter that at home.

But, if it is merely presenting academics without the anti-Christian influence, then it’s okay as long as you are supplementing.

So, your priest is correct in saying that you have to send your child to Catholic school if he is indeed right in saying that your public schools are seeped in Anti-Christian principles.

But, it is your duty and right to determine that, not his.

My personal opinion is that my children can’t get a Catholic ed. in our public schools. That is one reason I’m homeschooling.

 

[eliza3b]

If public schools are deemed “inappropriate” for some, doesn’t it follow that “homeschoolers” will be questioned as well? Who’s to say that a homeschooler is actually teaching the faith? I have a huge problem with fellow Catholics who point the finger at other Catholics because they do not use the parochial school or choose not to homeschool their children or heavenly forbid, send them to public school. Who’s business is it anyway? It’s part of that “group think” mentality that is really dangerous.

 

[dundas]

I think the OP has an obligation to send a letter or email to her Bishop and get clarification in this. As far as I understand, the Catholic Church in her wisdom has deemed parents the primary educators of their children, not some institution. Parents have the FREEDOM to choose what type of institution to send their children, whether it be public, private, parochial or homeschooled. There is absolutely no obligation to send your child to a Catholic school.

A very enlightening book on this topic is Steven Kellmeyer’s Designed to Fail: Catholic Education in America.

What is the OP?

 

[whatevergirl]

I spend a lot of time with our kids–at home–teaching the faith, teaching different prayers–we take turns reading the Bible…I think that as parents, we are the frontlines of education of our faith.

leonie–thanks for posting that–specifying ‘education’ not ‘school.’ So true. My kids attend public schools, but my dh and I feel they are becoming very well educated in the faith through what we do with them at home–and through religious ed classes. (we also are in a very positive Christian public school district–which we feel are blessed and lucky, to a degree)

 

[PaulinVA]

What is the OP?

That would be YOU, the Original Poster.

 

[dundas]

That would be YOU, the Original Poster.

I think you are correct in suggesting that I write to the Bishop, which un-nerves me a little. Do you think I should mention to my Priest that this is my intention? I am trying to approach the whole issue with as much charity as possible. I don’t want to become the “critical spirit” in our parish. I just feel that to truly examine my own conscience, I need full knowledge, and I don’t feel I have that.

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

“Father, if you do the math, in our diocese it is not possible to send every school-aged Catholic child to a Catholic school, as there is not enough capacity. Since capacity is planned by the Bishop, you will be happy to know I am contacting the Bishop and calling him out on his sinful behavior. I certainly will mention that you are telling your parish that he is causing all of us to sin by not providing enough capacity for all of us to send our children to a Catholic school.”

Darn fine job, Paul!

 

[PaulinVA]

Do you think I should mention to my Priest that this is my intention? I am trying to approach the whole issue with as much charity as possible. I don’t want to become the “critical spirit” in our parish. I just feel that to truly examine my own conscience, I need full knowledge, and I don’t feel I have that.

I wonder if you could call the Chancery and speak to someone first? Just a quick question, you know? You could follow it up with a letter if you want. I’m sure they’ve already heard of this issue, you know?

I don’t think you need to tell the Priest you are going for a “second opinion”. If you are on good terms with him, you might as a courtesy, but if you were on good enough terms with him you could just talk to him, right?

 

[dundas]

I wonder if you could call the Chancery and speak to someone first? Just a quick question, you know? You could follow it up with a letter if you want. I’m sure they’ve already heard of this issue, you know?

I don’t think you need to tell the Priest you are going for a “second opinion”. If you are on good terms with him, you might as a courtesy, but if you were on good enough terms with him you could just talk to him, right?

That’s a good idea. I have spoken with our priest and he is very steadfast in his position on the issue. We have discussed it, and alot of other parents have spoken with him, and we’ve had a meeting. He is not wavering on his position.

 

[KCT]

That’s a good idea. I have spoken with our priest and he is very steadfast in his position on the issue. We have discussed it, and alot of other parents have spoken with him, and we’ve had a meeting. He is not wavering on his position.

What is his position when money is an issue? For example, a one income family w/ mom at home caring for toddlers. Just curious.

 

[dundas]

What is his position when money is an issue? For example, a one income family w/ mom at home caring for toddlers. Just curious.

The parish does offer to subsidize those in financial need, but you must submit a financial plan, and you must re-apply every year.