Pope Benedict Urges Government Subsidy of Faith-Based Schools

[estesbob]

Are you speaking of grammar school or high school and where in the U.S.? Here in Little Rock, for instance, we have only one Catholic girls’ high school and one Catholic boys’ high school, but nearly every parish has a grammar school.

I was surprised when I moved to Houston in 1978 that that was not the case in most southern states. However our parish had a lot more comprehensive Catholic education program for our youth than I was used when the North. When living in Kansas City the only kds who went to Catholic education classes were kids went to public schools

 

[Richardols]

This is in Iowa. No middle school or high school. Just an elementary school that many can’t afford.

Nohome

Sure. In a small town, it’s hard for a parish to fund an elementary school at a reasonable price. I’m gratified to hear that your parish does so even if it is unaffordable for many folks.

 

[CathCentrist]

I find it interesting that the Pope says Govt is morally obligated to fund faith based schools…AFTER all the huge payouts and finanacial set backs the church has suffered thanks to playing “hide shuffle the abusing priests”

Also, this is elitist thinking…would the pope support these faith based schools if they were:

Muslims looking for Govt funding?
Evangelical?
Wiccan?
Buddist?
Hindu?

Or is it just for Christians and if so, what makes them/us so special to get that money and not the others?

Where does it end…whose faith? Which faith?

Not my support - EVER

And Catholic Charities has MAJOR NERVE to accept Ceasars coin as well!

 

[Holly3278]

I fully agree with Pope Benedict.

 

[Dauphin]

I find it interesting that the Pope says Govt is morally obligated to fund faith based schools…AFTER all the huge payouts and finanacial set backs the church has suffered thanks to playing “hide shuffle the abusing priests”

Explain this. Are you contending that the Church will take the money from faith-based schools and use it to settle sexual abuse cases? How will they do this, if the faith-based school is a private institution?

This just seems like an empty charged leveled at the church just so you can take another gratuitous swipe at the sexual abuse scandals. Do you take pleasure in talking about these scandals? Do you enjoy seeing the church hurt in having to pay out these settlements? Do you realize the pain it causes when people are reminded of this?

 

[Nohome]

I fully agree with Pope Benedict.

Really? What about when the state requires lessons on the proper use of contraception or mandated diversity means the children are taught about same sex marriage? That is what government money will get you.

Nohome

 

[estesbob]

I fully agree with Pope Benedict.

Selective agreement, if I recall correctly. You disagree with him and the church on contraception. I find it interesting that you hold him up as an authority whenthe expresses his opinion but dispute him when he expresses unchangeable church doctrine.

If I am mistaken you support contraception I apologize in advance.

 

[Richardols]

Do you take pleasure in talking about these scandals? Do you enjoy seeing the church hurt in having to pay out these settlements? Do you realize the pain it causes when people are reminded of this?

Would it have been better if this was all swept under the rug so that no one need be reminded of the scandals? But, it happened, men were jailed, dioceses had to pay victims. We can’t escape facts, even unpleasant ones.

 

[pnewton]

This just seems like an empty charged leveled at the church just so you can take another gratuitous swipe at the sexual abuse scandals.

I have to agree. It was a rather gratuitous and off-topic slam. I would not be in such agreement with the support of faith-based schools except for the prevailing anti-faith bias that grows and festers in the public education today. I would not resent omitting school prayer if they would also omit the teaching of sin in the form of alternative lifestyle and sex ecucation. I would not mind the Bible being left at home if they would also leave at home mythology, Roussou, Machiavelli, etc.

The idea that any voucher system would be giving them Caesar’s coin buys into the lie that politicians promote; that tax money belongs to “the government”. All taxes are primarily the property of the people, not the state. We have forgotten that our government is supposed to of, by and for the people.

Since parents are charged by God as the primary educators of their children, not the NEA, it should be their choice as to have that education done by an institution that promotes positive values more and sin less. It is not unreasonable to have the taxes they paid into the godless system returned to them for a proper education.

Bravo, Pope Benedict.

 

[estesbob]

Would it have been better if this was all swept under the rug so that no one need be reminded of the scandals? But, it happened, men were jailed, dioceses had to pay victims. We can’t escape facts, even unpleasant ones.

It will take years for the Church to recover from this gross dereliction of duty. And I am sure 200 years from now our enemies will still be throwing it at us in forums like these just as they do the Inquisition and the Crusades. The difference here is the criticism is well deserved. Hopefully the magisterium has a learned their lesson.

Having said that I am a bit disappointed to see this abuse scandal referred to in an almost in a joking offhand manner in these forums. I also hate seeing it waved around as a blanket condemnation of every issue a person disagrees with the Church on. There is nothing whatsoever humorous about it and it should be discussed only in the context of the harm done to the victims and the inaction of the church.

 

[estesbob]

The idea that any voucher system would be giving them Caesar’s coin buys into the lie that politicians promote; that tax money belongs to “the government”. All taxes are primarily the property of the people, not the state. We have forgotten that our government is supposed to of, by and for the people.

.

I would support a voucher system. In that case the money goes to the parents and the schools. And you are right -the voucher system merely redirects the money the government is already taking for me.

 

[goofyjim]

I would be satisfied if could at least avoid school taxes during the years I pay Catholic school tuition. Even that little boon would be helpful and the schools wouldn’t have to take a dollar from the state. Our public schools will continue to spiral downward without competition. I will protect my son and his soul from the state-sponsored indoctrination of tolerance of sin.

On that basis, I, with no children, should also be exempt from school taxes.

 

[CathCentrist]

Explain this. Are you contending that the Church will take the money from faith-based schools and use it to settle sexual abuse cases? How will they do this, if the faith-based school is a private institution?

This just seems like an empty charged leveled at the church just so you can take another gratuitous swipe at the sexual abuse scandals. Do you take pleasure in talking about these scandals? Do you enjoy seeing the church hurt in having to pay out these settlements? Do you realize the pain it causes when people are reminded of this?

Explain this - Since they closed down schools and churchs and used parishoner funds to settle these cases what makes you think otherwise?

 

[MusherMaggie]

The Holy Father’s idea is a thought, but having a corrupt government (and I think all governments are!) with financial interest in a Catholic school system would be a mistake. I have had to take another alternative for financial as well as other reasons–Catholic homeschooling. We have one Catholic high school with the “Education That Works” program, which reduces tuition to $2000 a year, but add books & uniforms to that. The others charge a minimum of $8000 just in tuition per year and we simply can’t afford that.

 

[Dauphin]

Explain this - Since they closed down schools and churchs and used parishoner funds to settle these cases what makes you think otherwise?

I’m asking you to present some evidence that private Catholic schools are financially linked to their Diocese, in such a manner that the Diocese can withdraw funds at will. I’m not sure what the situation in the United States is. Where I live, Catholic schools have full public funding and have no financial links to their respective Dioceses.

The Pope may be suggesting a similar scenario under which the Church will have no access to these public funds. We just don’t know. Instead of finding out, though, you questioned the Holy Father’s motives and took a gratuitous swipe at the Church on a completely unrelated issue. I think it’s disgraceful.

 

[geezerbob]

Explain this - Since they closed down schools and churchs and used parishoner funds to settle these cases what makes you think otherwise?

Explain this - what source of funds does a diocese have other than parishoner donations?

I think it shameful to assume guilt before the fact. Can you see into the bishops’ minds and hearts?

 

[Lovemyfaith]

I would be happy if we could at least not pay taxes on the money we pay for tuition, since we do pay school taxes in our area and don’t use the public school. Of course, the thought of any benefits coming from the government leading to what say they would have in the school makes me worry to even save the tax money.
Also, the Pope did mention “that he was referring not only to Catholic but also other faith-based schooling, and also insisted that governments allow faiths freedom in terms of curricula.” I know in my heart he is correct, but seeing the way local, state and national governments seem to make a mess out of things, I would prefer the governments just stick to things like military protection and fixing the roads and stay out of the rest.

 

[goofyjim]

Again, I have heard some say if they choose Catholic schooling they should be exempt from the school tax. Then I as a single taxpayer not utilizing the school system should also be exempt.

 

[Lovemyfaith]

Again, I have heard some say if they choose Catholic schooling they should be exempt from the school tax. Then I as a single taxpayer not utilizing the school system should also be exempt.

Well we are paying tuition. We would just want to itemize that on federal income tax.

 

[pnewton]

Again, I have heard some say if they choose Catholic schooling they should be exempt from the school tax. Then I as a single taxpayer not utilizing the school system should also be exempt.

Not really. I don’t think anyone is advocating a pay as you go system. First, when one considers the average cost per student, special needs students must also being included. Many of these are very expensive to educate. Also, many of the poorer people pay very little in taxes, nor can they afford to pay more. Yet their children’s education is just as important as mine. Argueably, they should have the same access to non-secularized eduacation as anyone. Our current system denies parents that choice and funnels all kids into the same mill. Choice of eduacation does not lie with parents, but with the society. This is the injustice that the Pope is addressing. It is not a financial issue, because private schools can match or beat public schools in stretching a dollar. It is a control issue.

Imagine if our country nationalized health care to the point that everyone paid thousands a year into it. Then when you needed treatment, you had zero choice of physician, doctor or even treatment. This is our current education system.