Posted on 09/10/2015 7:39:49 PM PDT by markomalley
Catholic schools of the archdiocese of Philadelphia are handing out memos reminding parents of the schools' Catholic mission.
The memos state things like "Attending a Catholic school is a privilege, not a right" and "By enrolling my child I commit myself to uphold all principles and policies that govern the Catholic School."
Philadelphia magazine obtained a copy of the memo, seen here:
The archdiocese apparently plans to have it included in all entrance exams and student handbooks.
Ken Gavin, the spokesman for the archdiocese, says, "The purpose of the memo 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."
Gavin says the memos are "not unprecedented" or "groundbreaking."
He also insists the decision to issue the memos is unrelated to the national headline-making commotion surrounding a teacher at Waldron Mercy Academy, an independent Catholic school where a teacher's contract wasn't renewed after her homosexual lifestyle became public knowledge.
"Waldron is not under the administrative purview of the archdiocese," Gavin explains.
This move continues a growing trend of Catholic schools across the nation clarifying and reaffirming their Catholic identity and principles. The archdiocese of San Francisco has just wrapped up new teacher contracts emphasizing public and private adherence to Catholic morality for teachers, and the diocese of Springfield is working on getting parents to cooperate with Church doctrine as well.
No, I'm not holding my breath.
I’m not a Catholic but I see absolutely nothing wrong with this Memo of Understanding and requiring parents/guardians to sign it.
Pope Woo-Woo the First isn’t going to like this when he arrives next week - so the clergy needs to be strong and protect the Faith.
When I went to Catholic school, this type of memo was not necessary. How sad that this is what society has devolved into.
As an attendee of one of these very schools in the 50’s/60’s I can attest that the only “Memorandum of Understanding” that was used was the yardstick in the hands of one of the Sisters of St Joseph for anyone who did not agree...
I graduated from a Catholic High School in 1970 and there was a similar statement of purpose in our student handbooks. It didn’t require anyone’s signature but expressed the same beliefs.
“Pope Woo-Woo the First isn’t going to like this when he arrives next week - so the clergy needs to be strong and protect the Faith.”
Actually, I bet he has no problem with it whatsoever. And, even if he does, unless he’s going to remove Chaput, it won’t matter.
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