What did Corapi mean?

[petr]

In his recent symposium it has been repeated that Father Corapi stated that the best way to lead children away from the faith is to start them in Catholic school (regular education).

I am confused why he would say this and in what context it was meant.

Can anyone explain?

 

[shannyk]

Isn’t that actually something Archbishop Sheen used to say? I was under that impression but I could be wrong…I have heard Fr Corapi not say that exactly but certainly elude to it. He’s very bothered by the current state of Catholic education, as well he should be. I think what he’s getting at is that Catholic schools (not all of course but in general) aren’t orthodox and aren’t giving students the whole Truth of the Faith that they should be getting and through this misinformation are actually led away from the Faith.

I think he’s right. The proof is in the pudding.

 

[ComputerGeek25]

In his recent symposium it has been repeated that Father Corapi stated that the best way to lead children away from the faith is to start them in Catholic school (regular education).

I am confused why he would say this and in what context it was meant.

Can anyone explain?

Some of the teaching in Catholic schools has been watered down over the years, and some dioscese are closing Catholic schools at a record rate.

Some Catholic universities are Catholic in name only.

 

[rskempf]

That is correct. What he means is two things happen when a child attends the typical catholic school. First, parents by and large, release themselves from teaching the faith in the home with activity such as daily readings, family rosary, periodic confession. This is devastating in itself. Even worse, ~80% of catholics to not attend mass on Sunday and holy days of obligation. This teaches children that what is called mortal sin in the textbook is OK to be ignored. Think about the impact of this! What kind of message does this send to kids.

Second, and again in the typical catholic school, the children are not learning the true Faith. What they are learning is very watered down material. This crept into our schools soon after Vatican II. It is not the fault of Vatican II however. It is the fault of the administrators that run or influence the local school program. These are the priests, DRE’s, classroom teachers, parish liturgy leader, etc.

Parents are unaware of what is being taught, and feel it is not their place, typically, to get involved, detect the errors, and demand changes.

Kids end up with a false faith - very hard to reverse.

Send a kid to a public school, like we do. Your kids come home with stories about their classmates. Some are atheists, humanistic jew, protestants, agnostic, and everything you can imagine. We sit at the dinner table and discuss the pro’s and con’s of these and read together educational material. It is great. We are reading the student book from Faith and Life series now - Grade 8. In effect, we are teaching our children how to fight for their faith at a young age. This is a big difference from what I related in the first paragraph.

Another phrase from Corapi goes something like this.
“Send your kids to a catholic school and they risk losing the faith. Send them to a public school and they will learn to fight for their faith.”

Rick

 

[novaslasher]

“Send your kids to a catholic school and they risk losing the faith. Send them to a public school and they will learn to fight for their faith.”

Fr. Corapi may be right about this, but ONLY if the parents invest time in teaching and participating in the faith with their kids. I spent most of my formative years in public school, and my parents only sporadically went to mass. There was virtually no family prayer (although they taught me night prayers when I was young and put me in Catholic school up to 3rd grade), or discussion about religion. As a result, in high school I knew very little about my faith and couldn’t even answer the question “Are Catholics Christian?” when my friends asked me what religion I was. Kids in public school rarely have mature discussions about their differing faiths, they have much more ahem prosaic interests. At least that was my experience.

If parent’s get complacent with their own faith, the kid’s faith can go down the drain with it.

 

[TraderTif]

As a result, in high school I knew very little about my faith and couldn’t even answer the question “Are Catholics Christian?” when my friends asked me what religion I was.

None of the students in my 9th grade religion class could answer this question…and we were Catholics in a CATHOLIC school.

I think Fr. Corapi is right.

 

[TheresaLS]

Years ago my son was having some difficulties in school…the priest at that time said something to me and I think it bears sharing. I had to make the decision to keep in in Catholic school where he was not getting the support he needed of place him in public school. He said, “If you are looking for what you had in your Catholic school experience, it does not exist any longer.” It made my decision much easier.

 

[WinterWH]

I commented to a priest that although I went to a secular college and am still Catholic, my friends who went to Catholic college became atheists.

He said, “that’s why”.

 

[TheresaLS]

I commented to a priest that although I went to a secular college and am still Catholic, my friends who went to Catholic college became atheists.

He said, “that’s why”.

The truth hurts sometimes!

 

[Jeremiah29]

Surely there must still be some good Catholic schools out there? How do we help get more of them back?

 

[TheresaLS]

Surely there must still be some good Catholic schools out there? How do we help get more of them back?

I have has 2 children in Catholic university’s and they both were influnces by the very liberal nuns and priests. Conservative theology is shunned.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

Isn’t that actually something Archbishop Sheen used to say?

Yes, it is. I hope Fr Corapi does say that he is quoting Achbishop Sheen when he gives this talk.

As for the idea itself–we as the parents are the ones truly responsible for our children’s religious education. If we send them to Catholic schools, but do nothing to teach our religion at home we have failed our children. No matter where they go to school it is up to the parents to ensure that they are truly learning about the faith.

 

[MDomashinski]

As a public school teacher and new mom to a 16 month old. Public vs. Catholic education decisions are looming on the horizon. As a reconverted, and reenergized Catholic, I am v. concerned about the world my DD is inheriting and want to be sure that she is ready for what I’ve seen in Public School. I want to be as sure as possible that she has a firm foundation in her faith before entering the world. Pray for all parents. Pray for their children. I was almost certain I was going to enroll her in Cath. school but now am worried.

 

[Eileen_T]

As a public school teacher and new mom to a 16 month old. Public vs. Catholic education decisions are looming on the horizon. As a reconverted, and reenergized Catholic, I am v. concerned about the world my DD is inheriting and want to be sure that she is ready for what I’ve seen in Public School. I want to be as sure as possible that she has a firm foundation in her faith before entering the world. Pray for all parents. Pray for their children. I was almost certain I was going to enroll her in Cath. school but now am worried.

HOMESCHOOL!!! And restricted TV

 

[ishii]

My daughters’ Catholic school has done a great job of reinforcing the faith that they learn at home, so not all Catholic schools are bad. I think the pastor has a large effect on the Catholicity of a school. Any student (Catholic school or otherwise) who can’t answer basic questions about their faith can fault their parents, more than their school. Educating children in the Catholic faith is the parents’ primary responsibility. Too often, parents wrongly leave that up to the school. While too many Catholic schools are run by aging liberals, I think the tide is turning and more are run by more orthodox Catholics. Homeschooling is not an option for everyone. We need more good Catholic schools that support parents’ efforts to bring up their children in the Catholic faith. The pastor is important in this as he can help choose the principal and teachers who will teach at the school.

Ishii

 

[HouseArrest]

Our kids are in a good Catholic school. At this time our school is suffering from what a lot of others are - rising tuition costs, lower enrollment, angry parishioners who don’t want to support the school, etc.

A lot of parents at our school are working very hard to raise funds, market the school, and prove our worth. Statements and conversations that belittle Catholic schools without acknowledging that there are still good ones out there really hurt our cause. I certainly hope that when Fr. Corapi is making his statements he is including something to that effect.

 

[Em_in_FL]

First off, by the nature of the parents reading and participating on a Catholic message board, you’re going to comments from people who, in general, take their faith fairly seriously. Regardless of what schooling choice is mentioned and defended here, usually those posting here are also very active in keeping their Catholic faith alive and living in their family life. ANY school will work when the PRIMARY educators of the FAITH are the parents… good or bad Catholic school, public school, homeschool… given the HOME FAITH is strong and enforced, they can all work.

But, in general, a strong home faith is not the typical situation…

That is correct. What he means is two things happen when a child attends the typical catholic school. First, parents by and large, release themselves from teaching the faith in the home with activity such as daily readings, family rosary, periodic confession. This is devastating in itself. Even worse, ~80% of catholics to not attend mass on Sunday and holy days of obligation. This teaches children that what is called mortal sin in the textbook is OK to be ignored. Think about the impact of this! What kind of message does this send to kids.

Second, and again in the typical catholic school, the children are not learning the true Faith. What they are learning is very watered down material. This crept into our schools soon after Vatican II. It is not the fault of Vatican II however. It is the fault of the administrators that run or influence the local school program. These are the priests, DRE’s, classroom teachers, parish liturgy leader, etc.

Parents are unaware of what is being taught, and feel it is not their place, typically, to get involved, detect the errors, and demand changes.

Kids end up with a false faith - very hard to reverse.

Send a kid to a public school, like we do. Your kids come home with stories about their classmates. Some are atheists, humanistic jew, protestants, agnostic, and everything you can imagine. We sit at the dinner table and discuss the pro’s and con’s of these and read together educational material. It is great. We are reading the student book from Faith and Life series now - Grade 8. In effect, we are teaching our children how to fight for their faith at a young age. This is a big difference from what I related in the first paragraph.

Another phrase from Corapi goes something like this.
“Send your kids to a catholic school and they risk losing the faith. Send them to a public school and they will learn to fight for their faith.”

Rick

I very much agree!
Although, we have been extremely blessed to have a Parish School with an extremely faithful and VERY CATHOLIC Principal - and the school’s culture is driven by her.
But, to what Rick said - I have NO INTENTION of ever sending a child to a Catholic HIGH SCHOOL. By high school, they’ve already received Confirmation. It’s a time when the kids need to truly learn how to DEFEND their faith - in the real world community. I totally agree with public schooling at the high school level - not Catholic, and not homeschool… just my opinion on those years. Yes, they can be influenced by all the “bad” out in the world… but again, in the Faith, we consider them “adults” at Confirmation. If the fundamental faith is formed already (primarily at home, like I mentioned above) then what do we have to fear? TEACH the kids how to defend the faith in a public setting while you still have them under your roof. Otherwise, when will they learn how to defend themselves when exposed to “the world”?.. When they’re AWAY at college? That’s scary.

 

[MarieVeronica]

He’s very bothered by the current state of Catholic education, as well he should be.

This is exactly it, yes. :sad_yes: Too many so-called “Catholic” schools and universities are not adhering to Catholic Doctrine and Catholic Morals.

A good example is the recent Notre Dame “scandal”… (inviting Mr. Obama, to speak at Commencement).

And there are so many others, that are teaching material which is ANYTHING but “Catholic”. Good Catholic parents… beware. Be vigilant.

 

[shannyk]

First off, by the nature of the parents reading and participating on a Catholic message board, you’re going to comments from people who, in general, take their faith fairly seriously. Regardless of what schooling choice is mentioned and defended here, usually those posting here are also very active in keeping their Catholic faith alive and living in their family life. ANY school will work when the PRIMARY educators of the FAITH are the parents… good or bad Catholic school, public school, homeschool… given the HOME FAITH is strong and enforced, they can all work.

But, in general, a strong home faith is not the typical situation…

I very much agree!
Although, we have been extremely blessed to have a Parish School with an extremely faithful and VERY CATHOLIC Principal - and the school’s culture is driven by her.
But, to what Rick said - I have NO INTENTION of ever sending a child to a Catholic HIGH SCHOOL. By high school, they’ve already received Confirmation. It’s a time when the kids need to truly learn how to DEFEND their faith - in the real world community. I totally agree with public schooling at the high school level - not Catholic, and not homeschool… just my opinion on those years. Yes, they can be influenced by all the “bad” out in the world… but again, in the Faith, we consider them “adults” at Confirmation. If the fundamental faith is formed already (primarily at home, like I mentioned above) then what do we have to fear? TEACH the kids how to defend the faith in a public setting while you still have them under your roof. Otherwise, when will they learn how to defend themselves when exposed to “the world”?.. When they’re AWAY at college? That’s scary.

While I completely agree with you Em on this as far as the role of parents…no doubt if it’s not coming through at home then no matter the school it’s not going to all come together as a complete education…I think there is another aspect too.

What if the parents ARE doing their job, are teaching the faith and living it out at home and doing everything they can to live and teach the Truth of the Faith, and the school isn’t backing them up. This is the experience I’ve had in both my own Catholic schooling and with my children. When kids have two different trusted sources telling them conflicting things, there is going to be confusion and all too often the parents are going to end up looking like overly strict or limiting in comparison to the school’s laissez faire approach to the faith. I’m very much a product of that and had to wrestle with it for a long time, ultimately realizing it was my mother who was right and my schools and teachers that were abysmally wrong, but in the meantime I made a lot of sinful errors. I was really convinced through what I saw that my kids school was different, but what it really was was a lot of airs put on for show, and the meat wasn’t there. I’m not saying this is all Catholic schools by any means, there are a few good ones out there, but it really IS a widespread problem. It’s why my children will now go to public school ( I’d love to homeschool but it’s not an option for us for a variety of reasons) where I can be sure no one is going to be even approaching talking about our Faith so I’m sure they will not be taught incorrectly. It’s been a blessing. I can completely understand where Bishop Sheen was coming from.:twocents:

I also just wanted to add about the adults at confirmation comment…that is not really the case and not the nature of the sacrament. Confirmation is actually pushed artificially late and has become that, sort of an rite of passage, but really it’s traditionally done just before FHC and is still in many countries and some diocese here in the US. In the catechism it says anyone of the age of reason can be confirmed, so being an adult really has nothing to do with it. JP2 was actually a huge proponent of restoring the order of the sacraments; baptism, reconciliation, confirmation, FHC, so as to better recognize receiving the Eucharist as the ‘summit’ of our Christian initiation which is what it really is.

ewtn.com/library/BISHOPS/ordsacinit.htm

Just thought I’d clarify that point for informational purposes

 

[apricot_yogurt]

Interesting topic. I am the “victim” of flawed catholic schooling here in the UK, and it seems my story is sadly more typical than not.
I recently wrote a blog post about it-A masterpiece destroyed-a tale of catholic schooling-If you want to read more check out- againstthetide-cat.blogspot.com/