Philadelphia archdiocese to close 48 Catholic schools

[Tarpeian_Rock]

You gag when you bite off more than you can chew. Public schools ban the merest breath of the Christian religion while subsidizing student clubs devoted to witchcraft. They ban Santa Claus, the word “Christmas”, and even red and green decorations, but allow blue, the color of ADVENT! They dare not allow the mention Jesus lest someone be “offended” because of the “insensitivity” of it all, but force their students to play “Muslim for a day”, never mind that Christians might be offended. They teach students how to keep one banana from getting another banana pregnant. The homosexual lifestyle is the public schools’ current cause célèbre, and woe be unto any student who disagrees alliancealert.org/tag/zz-glowacki-v-howell-public-school-district/ or even has the temerity to say he gets inspiration from Jesus. God works in mysterious ways, and now the public schools are going to have to come up with some additional bucks to pay for all these students being dumped on them. They might even have to engage in the pursuit of truth, heaven forbid!

I think “gag” is an appropriate figure of speech.

You left out the classroom hours spent speaking out against politically incorrect foods. Otherwise, you’re right on. And my daughter is a veteran public school teacher in this state, and has encountered all of this.

 

[sedonaman]

You left out the classroom hours spent speaking out against politically incorrect foods. Otherwise, you’re right on. And my daughter is a veteran public school teacher in this state, and has encountered all of this.

You’re right; I forgot that. Thanks for your kind words.

 

[Eric_Olsen]

Well it’s actually quite true. At least in parts of New Jersey.
My newphews grade school, they were not allowed to wish anyone a “merry christmas”.
That phrase was banned from public school along with the usual religous things like God, Jesus, etc. because it might offend muslims or non-believers.

Also, look at the public school system or should I say “indoctrination facilities” in Oakland California where they have “gender coaches” for students so they can decide which gender they want to be.

oh and it gets better…Phialdelphia…no spelling tests, no number drills, and defenitely for teachers…NO MARKING WRONG ANSWERS IN RED. It could be offensive.

Tell me again how public schools are so much better???

I’m going to let this statement stand as a testament to the mindless power of the American media and paranoia that results when people spend too much time immersed in that junk as opposed to any real, first-hand knowledge or understanding as to what really happens on our public schools campuses.

Thanks for indulging me in this conversation. I now have to get back to planning two big literature units for the coming semester.

Luna

 

[Eric_Olsen]

Here in PA, the governor is pushing for shcool choice vouchers.
Something the liberals violently hate with a passion. go figure. Less kids
to indoctrinate with their ****.

I wonder if the state can afford it? They’ve taxed the parents, and then forced the parents to pay again for the education of their children. The schools and the teachers’ unions will be thrilled, because it’s more money and more children to mold and control. And the QKK (Queer Klux Klan) who is trying to destroy the church. Thousands of children now will be fed the pro-homosexual lies taught in the public schools.

 

[TheDoctor]

Let me get this straight: …

Philadelphia priests molest children–resulting lawsuits sends archdiocese into insolvency.
*
Catholic Children suffer.*

Philadelphia archbishop/cardinal attempts to reestablish solvency–closes 48 Catholic schools.
*
Catholic Children still suffer.*

That ain’t right.

No, you are correct, your logic ain’t right. From the Archdiocese Website FAQ page of the school closings:
**Are the legal fees and settlements related to the priest abuse scandal affecting the schools’ finances, which is why the Blue Ribbon Commission is recommending this restructuring? **The current deficit situation, which is affecting many of our schools, is due to rising costs and declining enrollments. The schools’ finances have no relationship with any other expenses at the Archdiocese

**Are these recommendations really meant to bolster the Archdiocese’s bottom line?

** This plan will not bolster the Archdiocese’s bottom line, but it will help our parishes focus on their other missions instead spending on an unsustainable school. The Blue Ribbon Commission’s recommendations provide a blueprint, not only to stabilize Catholic education in our diocese, but also to reinvigorate it. The commission has recommended an ambitious restructuring plan designed to bolster enrollment, while enhancing educational programs to ensure that the Archdiocese continues to deliver a high-quality Catholic education.

This is a very charged subject and throwing out opinions without facts does not help.

 

[TheDoctor]

And so it begins…

Conwell-Egan to fight closing

phillyburbs.com/news/local/courier_times_news/breaking_news/conwell-egan-to-fight-closing/article_0a1a0ab4-c744-5994-8f05-8931658dc029.html

I feel sorry for Archbishop Chaput. It sounds as if he has been handed a difficult situation.

And so it ends I think (from the Archdiocese Website):

Are these decisions final?

Archbishop Chaput has reviewed the commission’s recommendations and has accepted them. Although the restructuring of the schools will be painful, it is necessary to not only stabilize Catholic education in our diocese, but also to reinvigorate it, which is why he accepted the commission’s recommendations and its plans are being implemented.

**If we can raise the money to keep our school open, will anyone listen?
**

The Archbishop has accepted the Blue Ribbon Commission’s recommendations to strengthen and reinvigorate our schools and his decision is final. Our mission of Catholic education is badly served by trying to sustain unsustainable schools, which is why the Blue Ribbon Commission has made the difficult recommendation to regionalize, partner or close your school. We welcome your comments and concerns, so please email us at info@faithinthefuture.com.

What people need to keep in mind is that this commission to identify schools to close and restructure was in place 1 year before Bishop Chaput came to Philadelphia. He was not part of the process - he only gets to implement it. Pray for him, for our kids and for our teachers.

 

[TheDoctor]

If each school has an average of, say, 350 students, I can hardly wait to see the public schools gag on an additional 17,000.

If you read the report, you will see two things:

1. Very few schools have 350 students, which is one of the primary reasons for the closings (in fact the four high schools I think average no more than 38% enrollment vs. school capacity).
2. The Archdiocese envisions very few of the displaced students going to public school. For every parish school or high school closed an alternate regional school (some less than 2 miles form the closing school) was identified. I know that some students will go to public schools however the vast majority will stay within the Catholic school system it is believed.

 

[Scott_Lafrance]

Let me get this straight: …

Philadelphia priests molest children–resulting lawsuits sends archdiocese into insolvency.
*
Catholic Children suffer.*

Philadelphia archbishop/cardinal attempts to reestablish solvency–closes 48 Catholic schools.
*
Catholic Children still suffer.*

That ain’t right.

I wonder if the people who sued the diocese for their molestation think that the money they won can buy them into heaven.

If I remember the Lord’s Prayer correctly, which I do, Jesus quite plainly teaches that God will “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”. How in the world does civil litigation and punitive damages equate to forgiving those who trespass against us? Do they think money can buy grace? When they sue the Church, they are punishing the parishioners! That is where the money comes from.

 

[PaulinVA]

No, you are correct, your logic ain’t right. From the Archdiocese Website FAQ page of the school closings:**Are the legal fees and settlements related to the priest abuse scandal affecting the schools’ finances, which is why the Blue Ribbon Commission is recommending this restructuring? **The current deficit situation, which is affecting many of our schools, is due to rising costs and declining enrollments. The schools’ finances have no relationship with any other expenses at the Archdiocese

This is a very charged subject and throwing out opinions without facts does not help.

To say the scandals of the past decades have nothing to do this with this is being disingenuous at best. The ‘brand’ is damaged and sales are down.

Downthread someone mentioned that infant baptisms are down because Catholics are having fewer children. While that may be true, it’s also true that people are leaving the Church and see no reason to baptize their children in the Church they left.

Everything to do with the Church is interrelated. Declining Catholic school enrollment, declining vocations to the priesthood, parishes closing. Partly it’s demographics in particular regions and partly it’s people leaving due to the tarnished image of the Church.

 

[TheDoctor]

To say the scandals of the past decades have nothing to do this with this is being disingenuous at best. The ‘brand’ is damaged and sales are down.

Downthread someone mentioned that infant baptisms are down because Catholics are having fewer children. While that may be true, it’s also true that people are leaving the Church and see no reason to baptize their children in the Church they left.

Everything to do with the Church is interrelated. Declining Catholic school enrollment, declining vocations to the priesthood, parishes closing. Partly it’s demographics in particular regions and partly it’s people leaving due to the tarnished image of the Church.
[/indent]

Hey Paul. I agree with a lot of what you say, however LiveCatholic (who I was responding to) said that the closing of the schools was the direct result of insolvency in the Archdiocese caused by the payments made to those molested by clergy (with the assumption which follows that if there had been no payments to the abused there would be no Church closings), which in and of itself is untrue - unless my reading of the post was way off.

You correctly point out the complex nature of the problem that will not be addressed quickly.

 

[L_piperatus]

Here in PA, the governor is pushing for shcool choice vouchers.
Something the liberals violently hate with a passion. go figure. Less kids
to indoctrinate with their ****.

We need to push for school vouchers. School vouchers will give more parents the freedom to send their children to a school of their own choice.

 

[LiveCatholic]

I wonder if the people who sued the diocese for their molestation think that the money they won can buy them into heaven.

If I remember the Lord’s Prayer correctly, which I do, Jesus quite plainly teaches that God will “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”. How in the world does civil litigation and punitive damages equate to forgiving those who trespass against us? Do they think money can buy grace? When they sue the Church, they are punishing the parishioners! That is where the money comes from.

Ironically, A LOT of it goes to the professional lawyers they’ve hired.

 

[PaulinVA]

I wonder if the people who sued the diocese for their molestation think that the money they won can buy them into heaven.

If I remember the Lord’s Prayer correctly, which I do, Jesus quite plainly teaches that God will “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”. How in the world does civil litigation and punitive damages equate to forgiving those who trespass against us? Do they think money can buy grace? When they sue the Church, they are punishing the parishioners! That is where the money comes from.

I think that blaming the victims in this for litigating is really misplaced (I have other words but I won’t use them).

The litigation is the only thing that has brought any action from the Bishops.

 

[Scott_Lafrance]

I think that blaming the victims in this for litigating is really misplaced (I have other words but I won’t use them).

The litigation is the only thing that has brought any action from the Bishops.

I didn’t “blame” anyone. I simply conveyed my outrage at the notion that litigating the money out of the Churches did anything. It certainly didn’t repair any spiritual damage. Christ teaches us that forgiveness comes from forgiving, not from suing your offender. I mean, if “God will not be mocked, as you sow, so shall you reap.” If suing someone that wrongs you is a spiritual precept, imagine what He is going to do to the person who sues his abuser?

 

[PaulinVA]

I didn’t “blame” anyone. I simply conveyed my outrage at the notion that litigating the money out of the Churches did anything. It certainly didn’t repair any spiritual damage. Christ teaches us that forgiveness comes from forgiving, not from suing your offender. I mean, if “God will not be mocked, as you sow, so shall you reap.” If suing someone that wrongs you is a spiritual precept, imagine what He is going to do to the person who sues his abuser?

I believe litigating the money out of the Church is what got the Bishops’ attention. It is really said that the people in the pews have to suffer for the sins of the clergy. I agree with that wholeheartedly.

I don’t, however, blame the people who were truly abused for suing. I would, too. In many cases their lives were broken and they will never be whole. Will money help - well, for counseling and such, yes.

 

[Scott_Lafrance]

I believe litigating the money out of the Church is what got the Bishops’ attention. It is really said that the people in the pews have to suffer for the sins of the clergy. I agree with that wholeheartedly.

I don’t, however, blame the people who were truly abused for suing. I would, too. In many cases their lives were broken and they will never be whole. Will money help - well, for counseling and such, yes.

You don’t think Jesus can heal that wound?

 

[PaulinVA]

You don’t think Jesus can heal that wound?

Through good psychologists and psychiatrists, yes.

Do I think that because the abuse was at the hands of Catholic clergy God will miraculously heal those who were abused, no.

 

[Eric_Olsen]

well thats what I meant.

We need to push for school vouchers. School vouchers will give more parents the freedom to send their children to a school of their own choice.

 

[iloveangels]

To say the scandals of the past decades have nothing to do this with this is being disingenuous at best. The ‘brand’ is damaged and sales are down.

Downthread someone mentioned that infant baptisms are down because Catholics are having fewer children. While that may be true, it’s also true that people are leaving the Church and see no reason to baptize their children in the Church they left.

Everything to do with the Church is interrelated. Declining Catholic school enrollment, declining vocations to the priesthood, parishes closing. Partly it’s demographics in particular regions and partly it’s people leaving due to the tarnished image of the Church.
[/INDENT]

This is true. I don’t think it’s right, mind you. But Catholics really don’t comprehend the amount of damage the scandals caused. And clergy comprehend it even less than Catholic laypeople do. It was disastrous.

 

[John_Paul_Jones]

I wonder if the people who sued the diocese for their molestation think that the money they won can buy them into heaven.

If I remember the Lord’s Prayer correctly, which I do, Jesus quite plainly teaches that God will “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”. How in the world does civil litigation and punitive damages equate to forgiving those who trespass against us? Do they think money can buy grace? When they sue the Church, they are punishing the parishioners! That is where the money comes from.

Well to begin with it’s not “their molestation” it’s not something they want to own it’s something that happen to them, they were molested.

It also says “Lead us not into Temptation.” If the Church had foresight it should of known what kind of scandal this would bring and all the problems it would entail; the Church should act more quickly to prevent such things from happening.