Philadelphia Archdiocese: School parents must sign 'Catholic identity' pledge

[anthony022071]

philly.com/philly/education/20150909_Archdiocese__School_parents_must_sign_pledge.html#vwyJD6LSh84vmpEc.99

Parents of children attending Archdiocese of Philadelphia schools are now being required to sign a document pledging support for the schools’ “Catholic identity” and recognizing that in all questions involving church law, “the final determination rests with the archbishop.”

The archdiocese is asking all its schools to include the one-page “Memorandum of Understanding” in entrance applications and school handbooks, said spokesman Ken Gavin.

The purpose “is to simply inform parents that we are Catholic schools, that we will teach the doctrine of the church, and have them sign that they understand and are in agreement,” he said.

The document requires parents or guardians “to uphold all principles and policies that govern the Catholic school.”

 

[phil19034]

God Bless Archbishop Chaput!

 

[1990Domer]

Good for +Chaput! Now it will be interesting if I hear any rumblings from friends and neighbors.

 

[DaveBj]

God Bless Archbishop Chaput!

+1

 

[Jeanne_S]

God Bless Archbishop Chaput!

I second that!

 

[HungerNThirst4R]

I would assume that the label “Catholic school” would be enough of an identifier as to what would be taught. Im guessing there may be more to this.

 

[Usige]

I would assume that the label “Catholic school” would be enough of an identifier as to what would be taught. Im guessing there may be more to this.

One would think so, but look at the ruckus people raised in San Francisco when Archbishop Cordileone added a morality clause to teacher’s contract. Many were calling for Pope Francis to remove him and send them a shepard that “understands people in the diocese”. Unfortunately many have come to see Catholic schools as nothing more than college prep academies and then object that money they spent is used to teach their children “intolerance”.

 

[phil19034]

I would assume that the label “Catholic school” would be enough of an identifier as to what would be taught. Im guessing there may be more to this.

The “more too this” is pretty simple. Some parents (esp. non-practicing Catholics and non-Catholics) send their kids to Catholic schools only because (a) they feel it’s a better academic program and/or (b) because of family tradition only, aka they are proud of their alma mater. Not for faith based reasons.

So the Archbishop is emphasising that the number 1 reason for Catholic Schools is to teach the Catholic Faith.

If parents do not want their children taught the Catholic Faith, then they can send their children elsewhere.

 

[SMH_2015]

I would assume that the label “Catholic school” would be enough of an identifier as to what would be taught. Im guessing there may be more to this.

Um, perhaps not. If I recall, there was a dust-up earlier this year over Catholic schools in San Fran (I think?), which had the audacity to actually teach Catholic doctrine. The nerve!!

Good for Philly!!

 

[1990Domer]

Also, +Chaput stood up to a lesbian couple who wanted to enroll their child in a school in his previous assignment in Denver. Obviously, they were unwilling to sign a similar agreement.

All I can say is I love +Chaput. He confirmed my son and the homily was amazing!

God bless him indeed!

 

[1990Domer]

Um, perhaps not. If I recall, there was a dust-up earlier this year over Catholic schools in San Fran (I think?), which had the audacity to actually teach Catholic doctrine. The nerve!!

Good for Philly!!

We love him here! He is so soft spoken and humble, but he manages to firmly preach the Word of God. Truly inspired by the Holy Spirit!

 

[AbideWithMe]

We love him here! He is so soft spoken and humble, but he manages to firmly preach the Word of God. Truly inspired by the Holy Spirit!

I really do admire him. I’m not Catholic, but I’m very pleased Philly’s Catholics are under his care—a good man.

 

[ComplineSanFran]

One would think so, but look at the ruckus people raised in San Francisco when Archbishop Cordileone added a morality clause to teacher’s contract. Many were calling for Pope Francis to remove him and send them a shepard that “understands people in the diocese”. Unfortunately many have come to see Catholic schools as nothing more than college prep academies and then object that money they spent is used to teach their children “intolerance”.

The result of that negotiation was that Archbishop Cordileone was not able to insert the ‘Morality Clause’ into the teachers’ contracts. We’ll see how things turn out over the coming school year if there are any problems with the LGBT staff or the others who are not Roman Catholic nor abide by the teachings of the Church.

 

[phil19034]

The result of that negotiation was that Archbishop Cordileone was not able to insert the ‘Morality Clause’ into the teachers’ contracts. We’ll see how things turn out over the coming school year if there are any problems with the LGBT staff or the others who are not Roman Catholic nor abide by the teachings of the Church.

In San Fran, hopefully, now the expectation is set and it will give the AD of San Fran the ability to fire due to insubordination.

 

[on_the_hill]

Hmm…I don’t know if I’d sign it. I fully support the notion that a Catholic school teaches and is run according to Catholic morality. But I don’t like signing documents that pledge my obedience like that.

 

[Corki]

Hmm…I don’t know if I’d sign it. I fully support the notion that a Catholic school teaches and is run according to Catholic morality. But I don’t like signing documents that pledge my obedience like that.

Then don’t send your kids to a Catholic school. Back in the day, no one would have questioned a Catholic school abiding by Catholic teaching. These nuisance cases that get media attention are just a distraction from the mission of educating and a drain on resources.

 

[Trader]

The “more too this” is pretty simple. Some parents (esp. non-practicing Catholics and non-Catholics) send their kids to Catholic schools only because (a) they feel it’s a better academic program and/or (b) because of family tradition only, aka they are proud of their alma mater. Not for faith based reasons.

So the Archbishop is emphasising that the number 1 reason for Catholic Schools is to teach the Catholic Faith.

If parents do not want their children taught the Catholic Faith, then they can send their children elsewhere.

When my brother served on a parish school board, other members tried to make the school more “inclusive” by substituting “Christian” for “Catholic” in their mission statement. Taking a stand against that got him enough attention to get appointed to the diocesan school board. Our family was lucky enough to attend Catholic schools that were really Catholic.

My own suggestion for a mission statement was that Catholic schools exist to assist parents in their duty to pass on the faith. If parents are not willing to support the Catholic identity of the school, their children will suffer a lot of confusion and would be better off at another school. As the catechism states, parents are the principal educators of their children.

God Bless Archbishop Chaput.

 

[estesbob]

The result of that negotiation was that Archbishop Cordileone was not able to insert the ‘Morality Clause’ into the teachers’ contracts. We’ll see how things turn out over the coming school year if there are any problems with the LGBT staff or the others who are not Roman Catholic nor abide by the teachings of the Church.

Although the original morality clause was modified the contract does include specific language about the expected behavior of teachers "

The contract says the purpose of Catholic schools is “to affirm Catholic values through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” It says that teachers are expected to support the school’s purpose “in such a way that their personal conduct will not adversely impact their ability to teach in our Catholic high schools.”

 

[phil19034]

When my brother served on a parish school board, other members tried to make the school more “inclusive” by substituting “Christian” for “Catholic” in their mission statement. Taking a stand against that got him enough attention to get appointed to the diocesan school board. Our family was lucky enough to attend Catholic schools that were really Catholic.

My own suggestion for a mission statement was that Catholic schools exist to assist parents in their duty to pass on the faith. If parents are not willing to support the Catholic identity of the school, their children will suffer a lot of confusion and would be better off at another school. As the catechism states, parents are the principal educators of their children.

God Bless Archbishop Chaput.

God Bless your brother and others like him & +Chaput

 

[on_the_hill]

Then don’t send your kids to a Catholic school.

Seriously? It’s not good enough to be a Catholic in good standing? Now I have to sign a piece of paper that will magically carry more weight than my life as witness? If that’s the situation, my kids would be better off in a public school.

I might have signed, but now this thread has convinced me not to. Hypothetically speaking, because I don’t live there.