Should Catholic homeschool support groups require "faith statements"?

[Tabby]

A friend of mine will be starting to homeschool next year and has been looking for a Catholic homeschool support group. She found one she likes, but was somewhat put off when she was told that she and her husband must sign a “statement of faith” in order to belong. While she and her husband don’t disagree with the statement of faith given them to review, they don’t like the idea of having to sign one and are worried that such a statement might be used against them later. For example, if there are arguments in the group about teaching certain subjects (like evolution) or allowing children to have access to certain cultural materials (like Harry Potter), they wonder if the statement will be trotted out as a means of enforcing a “party line.” Do you have any (name removed by moderator)ut you can offer for them?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

As to the immediate problem, I did some quick research on the Internet and found that not all religious homeschool support groups require a “statement of faith” for membership. Your friend and her husband may want to keep searching for another Catholic homeschool support group before they make a decision as to whether or not to join this particular group. They could also search for a secular homeschool support group, which does exist, if they feel strongly about not signing a statement of faith. If they find that this group is their only viable option, they should ask the group’s leaders about the purpose of the statement and whether they need to fear that such a statement will be used to enforce the leadership’s perception of Catholic orthodoxy. They might even ask for the answer to be put in writing for future reference.

As to the general question, I share your friends’ misgivings about “statements of faith” being required by laymen who have no authority to make their understanding of Catholic orthodoxy required of all Catholics who wish to join together with them to support each other in homeschooling. There does indeed seem to be reason to worry that such practices can be occasions of abuse, given the holy rows I’ve heard about among religious homeschoolers on issues like those you mentioned. While such a practice is certainly well-intentioned among those concerned with preserving Catholic orthodoxy, I’m not sure it is prudent to exclude Catholic families who may understand their faith poorly but still wish to school their children within the Catholic tradition.

I can imagine that one possible argument for such statements is that it ensures that members will not bring in unorthodox speakers for group events, mommy retreats, prayer breakfasts, and so on. If that is the case, then I would recommend as an alternative that the group seek out a spiritually mature, orthodox Catholic priest, whose judgment can be trusted, to act as a chaplain for the group. Guest speakers can be vetted by him, and arguments about Catholic orthodoxy can be brought to him for arbitration.